The festival21 Program Launch Party
On Thursday 25th October, the Sandro Demaio Foundation celebrated the official program launch of one of our biggest and most exciting projects, festival21. Joined by Chef Ben Mac of Social Food Project who helped guests smash up pesto made from salvaged food and Alice Zaslavsky of Alice in Frames, who took her stance on improving our local food system, the evening was abuzz with energy and enthusiasm for what is going to be a jam-packed, impact-driven festival on the 2nd February 2019.
Held at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne’s Inner North, the space was transformed by the festival’s team of dedicated volunteers. The event was generously sponsored by Noisy Ritual and The Fermentary who kindly ensured everyone was provided with drinks to complement the abundant grazing table of local cheeses and seasonal produce.
Festival Director, Imogen Thomas, gave a compelling speech to introduce what is to come at festival21 and inspire everyone to act on the power of the plate. festival21’s sole mission is to inspire and equip Melbourne, the city with food at it’s heart, to use it as the universal toolkit for powerful, positive change. With a program filled with inspiring speakers, actors, champions and local food heroes, festival21 will no doubt achieve it’s goal and give every person who walks through it’s doors the voice to go back into their own communities to continue pushing the plate as a major player for change.
All images by Redouane Chaouki