Sydney’s food scene just hit a reset button. The Australian Native Food Festival, debuting this September at Carriageworks, is the first of its kind — a two-day celebration of First Nations culture, connection and cuisine. Curated by Sharon Winsor of Indigiearth, this isn’t a food fest with token bush tomato jam on the side. It’s a full-blown showcase of native ingredients, Indigenous knowledge and culinary storytelling — free to enter, and guaranteed to leave you hungry for more than just food.
Dates
Next Event: Saturday 27 September – Sunday 28 September 2025
Frequency: Annual (inaugural)
Duration: 2 days
Hours: Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
Price
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General Admission: Free (registration required)
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Chef Demonstrations: $59 + booking fee
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Workshops: $49 + booking fee
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Booking: Online registration and tickets via Carriageworks
The BioHax Take
Forget your overdone food festivals where kale chips pass for innovation. This is where kangaroo tail dumplings, wattleseed damper and bush jam pancakes share the stage with world-class chefs, knowledge holders and native food entrepreneurs. It’s a festival, yes — but it’s also a cultural milestone. Carriageworks will hum with markets, demos, weaving workshops, Indigenous music and the energy of a movement that’s been thousands of years in the making.
Who It’s For
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Families looking for a free cultural festival
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Foodies chasing a true taste of Country
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Chefs and home cooks who want to level up their pantry
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Culture chasers curious about First Nations storytelling
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Sustainability advocates who care where their food comes from
Photo Credit: Indigiearth / Carriageworks - Native Australian ingredients including Kakadu plum jam, macadamias, bush tomato and samphire on display at the Australian Native Food Festival.
What’s On Offer
Chef Demonstrations (ticketed, $59 + BF)
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Ben Shewry (Attica)
Sat 27 Sep, 9:30am, Bay 21
On stage: how native Australian ingredients intertwine with global food traditions. -
Karima Hazim & Rayleen Brown (Sunday Kitchen & Kungkas Can Cook)
Sat 27 Sep, 11:30am, Bay 21
A powerful fusion of Arabic and Indigenous cultures, showcasing food as a bridge between communities. -
Kylie Kwong & Aunty Beryl (Yaama Barrgay)
Sat 27 Sep, 1:30pm, Bay 21
Exploring food as celebration of culture, community and sustainability. -
Elena Duggan (MasterChef winner)
Sun 28 Sep, 10:30am, Bay 21
Creative ways to weave bushfoods into everyday cooking, from lunchboxes to family meals. -
George Calombaris
Sun 28 Sep, 12:30pm, Bay 21
With an apprentice chef, serving kangaroo tail stifado dumpling with trahana butter and crispy saltbush. -
Bruce Pascoe & Kerrie Saunders
Sun 28 Sep, 2:30pm, Bay 21
Native grains and agriculture, with tastings of damper, pancakes and native jams.
Workshops (ticketed, $49 + BF)
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Ngumpie Weaving Workshop
Sat 27 Sep, 10am, Track 12 foyer
Sun 28 Sep, 10am, Track 12 foyer
Learn basket weaving using techniques passed through generations. “Ngumpie” means “beautiful” in Barkindji language.
Market Stalls (20+ First Nations businesses)
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Baagi Milaygiin — Coonabarabran, Wiradjuri & Kamilaroi Country
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Black Duck Foods — Mallacoota, Gunaikurnai & Bidawel Country
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Chocolate on Purpose — Gundungurra Country
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IndigiGrow — Yarra Bay, Gadigal Country
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Jala Jala Treats — Karrum Karrum, Bunurong & Boon Wurrung Country
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Kakadu Kitchen — Gagudju, Bininj/Mungguy Country
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Kungas Can Cook — Mparntwe, Arrernte Country
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Native Secrets — Dhubbu, Wiradjuri Country
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Ngumpie Weaving — Narrowbine, Gai-mariagal Country
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Native Botanical Brewery — Erina, Garingai Country
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South Coast Seaweed — Yangary, Walbunja (Yuin Nation)
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Inchim Anyany Spice Blends — Tarntanya, Kaurna Country
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Yaala Sparkling — Meanjin, Turrbal & Jagera Country
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LORE Australia — Baalijin, Gumbaynggirr Country
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Kaiyu Superfoods — Ngarrindjeri & Peramangk Country
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The Unexpected Guest — Bowral, Dharawal Country
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Goanna Hut — Warrane, Gadigal Country
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Bakarindi Bush Foods — Yaegl Nation
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Kakarlla — Cavanbah, Bundjalung Country
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Bush to Bowl — Gadigal Country
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Thirsty Turtl — Gadigal Country
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Australian Native Foods — Gadigal Country
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Edible Native Landscapes — Ngarru-mayiny, Wiradjuri
Sponsors
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Department of Aboriginal Affairs (Gadigal Country)
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Esparq Ventures (Gimuy, Gimuy-Walubarra Yidinji Country)
Quote from Sharon Winsor
Sharon Winsor isn’t just curating this festival — she’s the powerhouse behind Indigiearth and one of Australia’s most awarded Indigenous chefs. A proud Ngemba Weilwan woman from Western NSW, she’s spent nearly three decades pushing native foods from bush to boardroom.
“This festival is more than a showcase, it’s a celebration of Country, culture and connection through food… We’re sharing the stories of the people who grow, harvest, cook and protect these ancient ingredients with the broader community. It’s about honouring our past while creating a stronger future for native foods and First Nations voices.”
About Indigiearth
Founded by Sharon Winsor, a proud Ngemba Weilwan woman, Indigiearth is a wholly Aboriginal-owned and operated business based on Wiradjuri Country. For nearly three decades, Sharon has blended Indigenous knowledge and hospitality skill to create a powerhouse in native food, beverages and botanicals — with national and international reach.
Accessibility
Carriageworks is wheelchair accessible. For additional requirements, contact boxoffice@carriageworks.com.au.
Getting Here
Carriageworks
245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, NSW
Limited onsite parking. Public transport recommended.
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Article originally published: 23 September 2025, by Editor
