Some of the biggest names in today’s culinary scene will come together to speak about the future of food at the inaugural MAD SYD event.
Held at the Sydney Opera House, confirmed speakers thus far include noma’s Ren Redzepi, Momofuku’s David Chang, Osteria Francescana’s Massimo Bottura, Billy Kwong’s Kylie Kwong, Zimbabwean farmer and food activist Chido Govera, and Australian social researcher Rebecca Huntley.
Translating to the word food in Danish, MAD is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Redzepi that aims to build a community of cooks, chefs, purveyors, thinkers and food enthusiasts to share ideas and create a better world through food. MAD has been held successfully in Copenhagen since 2011, with the inaugural MAD SYD marking the organisation’s first-ever major public event.
"Back when we started MAD in 2011, we found ourselves on a field, in heavy rain, in a tiny circus tent that ultimately collapsed during lunch” says Redzepi. “MAD has been on an incredible journey since then, but the culmination of our long relationship with Sydney and Australia taking place in one of the world’s most iconic spaces is the greatest privilege. We cannot wait to share this day with everyone – friends and family, old and new."
Ann Mossop, head of talks and ideas at the Sydney Opera House says that the inaugural MAD SYD event complements the impressive list of food talks that have taken place at the venue of the last two years.
“Over the last two years, Sydney Opera House Talks & Ideas has had the pleasure of welcoming international chefs and food pioneers from Alice Waters and Yotam Ottolenghi, to Jamie Oliver launching his “Food Revolution” with a live cooking extravaganza. We are thrilled to partner with the renowned Ren Redzepi to see the next phase of MAD begin in Australia.”
Redzepi has bought his award winning Danish restaurant, noma, to Sydney's Barangaroo for a 10 week period with service commencing at the end of last month. The opening was widely regarded as one of the nation’s most anticipated restaurant launches, and has received rave reviews from both industry figures and consumers.