Over 3.4 million Australian households are currently experiencing food insecurity, but thanks to OzHarvest, there's hope! This October, Australia’s CEOs, business leaders, and culinary masters are rolling up their sleeves for the annual OzHarvest CEO CookOff, a nationwide movement where chopping onions meets changing lives. This is not just a fundraiser, it's proof that food, community, and leadership can work together to create real change. 

Feeding Hope, One Meal at a Time

As Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, OzHarvest collects surplus food from businesses that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to charities and communities in need.In 2024 alone, they saved over 14 million kilograms of food from going to waste and delivered over 28 million meals! With 1,200 charities on their waitlist, their work is more vital than ever.

What is the CEO CookOff? 

The CEO CookOff is OzHarvest’s flagship fundraising event. Each year the event brings together business leaders and world-class chefs like Guillaume Brahimi, Andrew McConnell, and Cameron Matthews to cook gourmet meals shared with guests from the charities OzHarvest supports. Over the past eleven years, the CEO CookOff has raised millions while building awareness and empathy around food insecurity. 

Each meal prepared and every dollar raised delivers practical support for those doing it tough. Every $1 raised provides two meals for people in need, from families facing financial hardship to individuals accessing community food programs for the first time. This year, the nationwide fundraising goal is $1 million, which will help OzHarvest deliver 2 million meals to Australians who need them most. 

Ellie’s Call to Action

On Monday, 27 October 2025, at the Brisbane Powerhouse, I’ll be rolling up my sleeves and taking part in the CEO CookOff for the second time. At Go For Zero, we’re passionate about creating positive change, whether it’s reducing waste, supporting local makers, or helping people in need. This event is a perfect way to put that passion into action.

Knowing that just one dollar provides two meals makes every contribution feel meaningful.You can join me in supporting this amazing cause by donating to my CEO CookOff fundraising page here. Together, we can feed families, reduce food waste, and support the charities that rely on OzHarvest every day. 

Be Part of Something Bigger

The CEO CookOff is more than a night of cooking,  it’s a movement that transforms kitchens into hubs of compassion, connection, and action. Every meal prepared, every dollar raised, and every shared story helps to create a lasting impact.

By supporting the event through a donation, you become part of something bigger: a community committed to hope, nourishment and supporting those struggling to put food on the table. Let’s roll up our sleeves and make a difference, one meal at a time.

Thanks for tuning in again this week, GFZ's. For more Earth-loving stories, you can pick from so many others here!

With Love, 
Ellie xx