Vivid’s Food Program Returns With a Star-Studded Line-Up for 2024

Vivid is lighting up the city again soon – and food is a major player in the program. Along with the festival’s spectacular signature projections on the Opera House sails and the snaking waterfront Light Walk, the festival is flying in culinary talent from around the world – and a favoured Sydney spot is hosting a chef with Michelin cred.

Vivid’s Chef Series returns after a successful debut last year. Billy Hannigan, head chef at the glamorous Charles Grand Brasserie in the CBD, is teaming up with an old colleague, Sally Abé, who cooked with him at three-Michelin-starred London restaurant The Ledbury. Abé, who’s now at The Pem in London, will step in at The Charles to deliver a menu inspired by her time with Hannigan time in gastropubs.

At Aalia, executive chef Paul Farag will host Ivan Brehm, chef-owner of Singapore’s Nouri. Brehm, who has travelled the world cooking in institutions like Per Se in New York, will work with Farag on a three-night menu that draws on a variety of cuisines.

Manoella Buffara is heading down from her globally revered Manu Restaurant in Brazil for a residency. Stepping into the kitchen at waterfront Greek restaurant Ploos, in the middle of the Light Walk, Buffara will bring her award-winning sustainable fine dining to Australia for the first time. Book in for a nine-course dinner menu or seven-course lunch between May 24 and June 2.

The Goods Line walkway hosts the return of Vivid’s Fire Kitchen, showcasing masters of open-flame cooking from around the world over 23 nights. Sydney’s own Lennox Hastie will be there, along with fire-bending visitors like celebrated Swedish chef Niklas Ekstedt.

A line-up of local hotspots will also be serving their finest along the Light Walk, including a Milo fudge sundae from Australian gelato icon Messina.

Tickets for all events are on sale now at vividsydney.com.