Australia’s food royalty is coming to Floriade – meet the five big names joining Feast of Flowers
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Australian food royalty is coming to Canberra, with Floriade announcing five of the country’s best-known chefs, food personalities and authors as part of the Feast of Flowers program.
Karen Martini, Mindy Woods, Justine Schofield, Stephanie Alexander and Simon Bryant will appear in the month-long celebration of food, flowers and seasonal produce running throughout Floriade from 12 September to 11 October.
Across four weeks, visitors will enjoy demonstrations, conversations, workshops and meet-and-greet opportunities with some of the personalities who have helped shape the nation’s food culture.
Ross Triffitt, Executive Branch Manager, Events ACT, said the program reflects this year’s celebration of food, flowers and community.
“This year we’re bringing some of Australia’s most recognised chefs, authors and food voices to the heart of Floriade. Visitors will be able to hear directly from people they’ve watched on television, followed for years and cooked from at home, all surrounded by more than a million spring blooms.”
Opening weekend will feature renowned chef, author and television personality Karen Martini alongside chef, restaurateur and MasterChef Australia finalist Mindy Woods, with live demonstrations, conversations and audience meet-and-greet opportunities.
“There is something magical about cooking with the season right in front of you. Floriade’s Feast of Flowers is the perfect backdrop for celebrating what spring puts on our plates,” says Martini
Later in the week, celebrated chef, educator and author Stephanie Alexander will join the festival as she marks the 30th anniversary of The Cook’s Companion, a cookbook that has shaped generations of Australian home cooks.
Chef, television personality and author Justine Schofield will headline the second weekend of the festival, sharing her approach to fresh, seasonal cooking through a series of live appearances. She says she is looking forward to joining the festival in Canberra.
“Spring in Canberra is something special, and cooking surrounded by a million blooms at Floriade is about as good as it gets. I cannot wait to share some of my favourite seasonal recipes.”
Known for his advocacy of sustainable food systems, Simon Bryant, of ABC’s The Cook and the Chef, will join the festival during the school holidays for a series of demonstrations and audience meet-and-greet sessions.
Floriade runs from 12 September to 11 October 2026 at Commonwealth Park, Canberra. For more information, visit floriadeaustralia.com.
