At its heart, the corporate world runs on connections, and one of the best places to form a firm bond is the kitchen. This October and November, Australia’s business community will once again have the chance to connect for a good cause as OzHarvest’s CEO CookOff comes to town.

Executives and CEOs from across the business spectrum will team up with some of Australia’s top chefs to craft a variety of gourmet goodness, all in service of raising awareness and much-needed funding for those struggling to put food on the table.

And not a moment too soon. The cost-of-living crisis is affecting more Australians than ever.

According to OzHarvest’s Frontline report, one-in-three people seeking help are doing so for the first time, including families with a mortgage and double-income households.

“Unfortunately, for many people food is the only flexible option in their shrinking budgets,” OzHarvest CEO Ronni Kahn says.

“This is why the support of leaders for the CEO CookOff matters so much.”

An essential business

Not many business founders would like to see their company go bust, but Kahn is an exception.

“I always say it’s my aim to put OzHarvest out of business,” she says. “In the current climate, that’s looking increasingly unlikely.”

What’s very likely is that the leadership qualities of this year’s participants will be put to the test. Matt Moran, Neil Perry, Mindy Woods, Danielle Alvarez and Peter Gilmore are just some of the 80 chefs in charge.

“You have to be humble enough to stand in a kitchen with other leaders, take direction from a chef and cook, serve and share a meal with someone you’ve never met,” Kahn says.

“You roll up your sleeves and do something that matters.”

Among this year’s sleeve rollers is Nestlé Oceania CEO Sandra Martinez, who believes the CEO CookOff is a testament to the power of food.

“Food connects us and shows people we care,” she says. “My mother always said that the best expression of love is taking the time to cook someone a meal. To me, that’s the heart of what the CEO CookOff is all about.”

OzHarvest veteran and BioPak CEO Guy Brent says tackling food waste and food insecurity is a challenge for all business leaders.

“From my work with OzHarvest, I’ve seen firsthand just how deep this crisis runs,” he says.

“The need for support has never been greater, and no one should face the choice between putting food on the table and paying the rent. That’s why I’m proud to back the CEO CookOff with BioPak as the 2026 National Sustainability Partner, as we work towards the goal of delivering an extra five million meals.”

Nationwide impact

The CEO CookOff kicks off on October 13 in Perth, with events to follow in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and Newcastle before the grand finale in Sydney on November 12.

This year’s event is the 12th for Australian Orthopaedic Association CEO Adrian Cosenza, who says it’s a way leaders can genuinely make a difference while picking up a few essential skills.

“After 11 years of taking part, I’m still very much learning how to cook, but that’s not why I’m back,” he says.

“I’ve found CEO CookOff to be a humbling experience. I spend a lot of time speaking with OzHarvest’s invited guests, people who are invisible to so many, and it’s a real human leveler. So many of us don’t appreciate the world some people are living in.”

More than 300 CEOs and business leaders are taking part in this year’s CookOff, but there’s still time to join in.

“I’d especially love to see more women this year,” Kahn says.

“And for those who worry about a lack of skills in the kitchen, I have one word of advice: don’t! You will not be the most talented person in that room. That’s exactly the point. Enjoy someone else leading for a change.”

For Bain & Company partner Lucy d’Arville, CEO CookOff changed the way she thought about purposeful leadership.

“Sharing the meal you’ve just cooked with the people OzHarvest serves is one of the most humbling experiences I’ve had and reminded me what real impact looks like.”

Kahn says no matter how things turn out, every participant leaves feeling fuller.

“And not just from the incredible food, but from the knowledge they’ve been part of something truly special.”

To sign up to participate in CEO CookOff, nominate a leader to take part or to donate, go to www.ceocookoff.com.au