Join host James White, chefs Mindy Woods and David Moyle and NSW's top sommeliers for Vivid Fire Kitchen – aflame with something new to see, experience...

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Location:

27 Hickson Rd
2000 NSW
Australia

Venue:
Stargazer Lawn
Text reading "Monday 25 May" over a purple and rainbow gradient.
Text reading "Monday 25 May" over a purple and rainbow gradient.

Featuring

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James White

Appearing 25, 26, 29, 30 May & 1, 2 June

James White is a respected food industry leader, MC and storyteller with more than 27 years’ experience across Australia’s foodservice landscape. 

From producer to plate, he brings insight, warmth and authority to the stage, hosting culinary events that celebrate chefs, artisans and the stories that shape how we eat.

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David Moyle

Appearing 25, 26, 27, 28 & 29 May

Victorian by birth, Tasmanian by fame, chef David Moyle made a name for himself at his ground-breaking restaurant Franklin in Hobart, and later at Longsong in Melbourne. 

His culinary track record also includes stints at The Latin with Bill Marchetti, Stokehouse with Maurice Esposito, and Circa at The Prince with Andrew McConnell. 

He currently operates the Salty Mangrove in nearby New Brighton and The Clam at Lorne in Victoria.

Mindy Woods

Mindy Woods

Appearing 25, 26 & 27 May

Mindy Woods is a Bundjalung woman, chef, restaurateur, author and recipient of the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Champion of Change award.

Nationally recognised for her award-winning work at Karkalla and globally celebrated for revitalising First Nations culture through food, Woods blends cultural storytelling with contemporary gastronomy to honour the world's oldest continuous food culture.

James Griffin

James Griffin

James Griffin, Head of Beverage at Love Tilly Group, has worked in the hospitality and service industry for over 20 years. Born in the UK, James moved to Australia in 2011, spending time on the Central Coast before moving to Sydney, where he earned his WSET Diploma. After a four-year stint as Head Sommelier at Mr. Wong, he joined Love Tilly Group in 2024. He now oversees the wine and beverage program across the group, which includes Love Tilly Devine, Dear Sainte Éloise, Ragazzi, Fabbrica, Palazzo Salato and Letra House. James has a passion for making wine accessible and understandable, championing small producers, female wine makers and the up-and-comers, all while helping guests celebrate special occasions, big and small. 

Sheila Richter

Sheila Richter

Sheila Richter is a sommelier, writer, and sensory storyteller originally from Toronto. Drawn endlessly to the romance of travel, food, and the emotional language of scent and taste, she fell in love with wine young — and never looked back. 

Sam Payne

Sam Payne

Samantha Payne is a globe-trotting Drinks Communicator and Sommelier 
Her days are a whirlwind of jet-setting across the world, writing wine lists, engaging in discussions about fine wines, collaborating with winemakers and filming in diverse wine regions. 
Known for her expertise in Australian wines, Samantha graces panels, hosts prominent events, and shares her insights on the Australian wine and food scene on a national and international stage. As a seasoned wine judge and educator, she brings unparalleled depth to every tasting experience.
Her words have graced the pages of The Guardian, Conde Nast Traveller, Wine Selector, Broadsheet, Boss Hunting, alongside Gourmet Traveller magazine as their monthly drinks columnist. 

Bryce Faiella

Bryce Faiella

Bryce Faiella brings a deeply personal connection to wine. With a background spanning some of Sydney's most celebrated restaurants - including Aria, Chiswick, and Saint Peter - Bryce spent years at the sommelier and management level before making the move into wine sales as Market Executive for Craggy Range in Australia . That hospitality lens informs everything he does: a genuine focus on people, place, and the story behind the glass. 

Ishan Kaplish

Ishan Kaplish

Ishan Kaplish is a Sydney-based sommelier and Group Sommelier for The Goodies Group, looking after the wine across Bessies, Bar Copains, Vincenzo’s and the soon-to-open La Buvette. Before that, he worked the floor at Tetsuya’s, Cafe Sydney, Felix and Mimi’s.

Ishan like wines with a story whether that comes from the vineyard, the producer, or even just a label that makes you pick up the bottle. He's usually happiest with a Chenin, Jura, Burgundy, Piedmont or anything with energy, texture and something interesting going on. For him, pairing is simple: rules are helpful, but the real test is whether the wine makes you want another bite and another sip. 

Patrick Haddock

Patrick Haddock

Patrick has spent the last two decades, sipping, swirling and surmising wine. He's been a wine journalist, blogger, wine judge, wine marketer and self taught sommelier. He's the former owner of the esteemed Reserve Wine Bar in Newcastle and is a passionate advocate for the wines of NSW. He's also an alumni of the 2015 Len Evans Tutorial - arguably the best wine school in the world. When not writing about wine, he can be found nursing a glass of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. He lives in the Hunter Valley and currently works for Lake's Folly vineyards 

Adam Harpaz

Adam Harpaz

JS

Jack's Hit House

Event Details

Join host James White, chefs Mindy Woods and David Moyle and NSW's top sommeliers for Vivid Fire Kitchen – aflame with something new to see, experience and eat every night from 6-11pm. 

Inspired by the Aussie backyard barbecue, Vivid Fire Kitchen is free-to-enter and features three main stages. Catch interactive cooking demonstrations at the Vivid Fire Pit; enjoy talks, workshops and more at Food For Thought with authors, celebrity cooks, social media favourites and industry innovators; and come together to eat, drink and listen to live music at the Marquee.

Be sure to check each day’s line-up of MCs, Flamemasters, musicians, DJs, guests, themed events and specials – and learn more about tonight’s line-up underneath the schedule.

Schedule: Monday 25 May

Tonight's Vivid Fire Kitchen Host: James White
One of Australia's most leading voices in food, James White brings decades of insight, warmth and his trademark sense of humour to the Fire Kitchen.

Time Vivid Fire Pit Food For Thought Stage Marquee Stage
6.00pm Fire Pit ignites   Live Music:
Adam Harpaz
6.10pm Fire Pit Sessions:  
Mindy Woods | Karkalla
   
6.30pm   No Taste Like Home: 
Battle of the Somms
Wine pairings go head-to-head
James Griffin (Somm at Love Tilly Group) Vs 
Sheila Richter (Somm at Liquid and Larder)
 
7.15pm Fire Pit Sessions:  
David Moyle | Salty Mangrove, 
The Waterloo
  Live Music:
Adam Harpaz
7.45pm   No Taste Like Home: 
Battle of the Somms
Wine pairings go head-to-head
Sam Payne (Somm + Wine Professional) Vs 
Bryce Faiella (Somm + Wine Professional)
 
8.30pm     Live Music:
Adam Harpaz
9.00pm   No Taste Like Home: 
Battle of the Somms
Wine pairings go head-to-head
Ishan Kaplish (Somm at bessie's Restaurant) Vs 
Patrick Haddock (Somm + Wine Professional)
 
10.40pm Fire Pit closes    
11.00pm Flames Out Flames Out  

All Night:

Vivid Light installations | Vivid Fire Kitchen & surrounds:
Explore the Kitchen under the glowing canopy of River of Fire. Be mesmerised by Flea Circus, Mycelium Network and Peekaboo Parliament, an interactive game of Red Light, Green Light. And it's hard to miss Molecule of Light, a celestial and cerebral 23-metre-tall laser installation by revered UK artist Chris Levine.               

 

< Back to Vivid Fire Kitchen 2026 daily schedules

Vendors

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Agape Organic Fire Bowls

Founded in 2012, Agape Organic's foodtrucks serve up delicious, inventive organic street food wherever they appear. 

For Vivid Fire Kitchen, owner and chef Simon Lawson has curated a special barbecue menu cooked in front of customers, using organic, biodynamic, sustainable & natural ingredients as well as native Australian produce. One highlight? Blowtorch-melted cheese on nacho bowls. 

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Antico Pizza Sandwiches

Serving authentic Italian in Narellan, Antico Woodfire Pizza is also a favourite at events across NSW through their foodtrucks. Antico Pizza Sandwiches is a new endeavour, making traditional deli-style sandwiches using folded pizza dough, cooked in the oven and filled with the likes of cold cuts, burrata and hot honey.

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Bianco Italian Market

Bianco Group is a modern Italian hospitality brand redefining how premium food is experienced at scale. Rooted in generational recipes and driven by precision, they deliver high-impact food concepts across retail, wholesale, and Australia’s most recognised events, combining quality, theatre, and operational excellence to create unforgettable experiences.

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Bon Brulee

Bon Brûlée is all about doing one thing really well - crème brûlée, but bigger and better. Their extra-large brûlées have a perfect balance of smooth custard and a thick, crunchy caramel top in every bite.

The best part of a crème brûlée is cracking through the top, so each one is flame-torched to order. Expect a bit of theatre, a bit of fire, and that fresh caramelised finish you can hear and smell before you even take a bite.

BFM

Brazilian Flame

Brazilian Flame barbecue combines traditional Brazilian barbecue cooking with  Brazilian barbecue excellent cuts to deliver big on flavour and theatricality, with its ribs, porchetta and rotisserie machines working their magic in front of the crowd.

BC

Burn City Smokers

Based in Melbourne, Burn City Smokers treats barbecue as an artform, offering smoked wood-smoked meats via catering, premium delivery and pop-ups. Combining ancient techniques with modern flavour and style, Burn City Smokers is a favourite of Vivid Fire Kitchen.

 

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Firepop

Hailed as the Good Food Guide 2025 New Restaurant of the Year, Firepop brings a masterclass in charcoal grilling to the festival. 

Originally a cult-favourite market stall, this Newtown standout has redefined the "pop" (skewer) by blending premium Australian produce—like Fullblood MBS9+ Wagyu—with bold, experimental flavours. Whether it’s their signature lamb with sesame cumin dukkah or their innovative "accordion" steaks, Firepop offers a high-impact, artisan dining experience that is as exciting as it is delicious.

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Gelato Messina

Born in Darlinghurst in 2002, Gelato Messina has grown into Australia’s most-loved gelateria, with 35 (soon 36) locally owned stores —and counting— along with sites in Hong Kong and Singapore.For Vivid Fire Kitchen, Gelato Messina is creating three delicious bespoke desserts designed to keep people coming back day after day.

One of them is the Smore's Sundae : think milk choc gelato with choc brownie cheesecake on graham cracker crumbs, topped with dark choc fudge and a perfectly toasted vanilla marshmallow. Sounds pretty amazing, right?

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Hoy Pinoy

Hoy Pinoy, meaning "Hey Filipino!", is a Filipino barbecue sensation dedicated to bringing authentic Ihaw-ihaw (grilled meats) to the masses. Inspired by the vibrant street food scene of the Philippines, Hoy Pinoy uses traditional recipes and cooking techniques to create skewers bursting with smoky, savory flavor.

 

koi

KOI Dessert Bar

KOI Dessert Bar is a world-renowned destination for indulging in fine artistic dessert & cuisine. Locatied in Sydney and Melbourne and sought-out globally, KOI brings together the expertise of exceptional in-house chefs to architect unforgettable experiences unlike anything else.

MSC

Mr Spanish Churro

Mr Spanish Churro continues a family legacy started by more than 50 years ago in a small churreia in Valenica, Spain. Crafted fresh on-site, the award-winning pop-up combines authenticity with innovation with their signature and viral churro cones — a refined twist on a timeless classic, with modern flavours such as Oreo, cheesecake and crème brûlée.

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Olympic Meats

Bringing the soul of a Greek taverna to Sydney's Inner West, Olympic Meats is a celebration of "slow" food and family tradition. Chef Timothy Cassimatis honours his heritage by making everything from scratch—from the two-day sourdough pita bread to his grandmother’s authentic spanakopita recipe. 

Known for their succulent chicken gyros and charcoal-grilled Politiko kebabs, Olympic Meats delivers honest, heart-felt Mediterranean flavours that have made them a local institution.

Smoky Sue's BBQ

Smoky Sue's BBQ

A staple of the Sydney BBQ scene, Smoky Sue’s arrives at the Stargazer Lawn for Vivid Fire Kitchen 2026 with an exclusive Mexican-inspired activation: The Smoke & Fire Fusion. This year, we are pushing the boundaries of traditional BBQ by marrying American "Low ‘n’ Slow" craftsmanship with the bold, soul-warming heat of traditional Mexican flavors.

The air at Barangaroo will be thick with the scent of Australian hardwoods and spice as our iconic smoker, "Big Red," works alongside our Live Fire Pit. Watch as our pitmasters manage the flames to create the ultimate theatrical dining experience—where 12-hour smoked brisket meets a glowing, bubbling cauldron of rich, "Birria Gold" consommé.

cm

The Coffee Mill

The Coffee Mill is a premium mobile coffee and crepe experience, delivering high-quality café-style service at events across Melbourne and beyond. 

Combining speed, consistency, and presentation, the Mill serves up rich espresso-based and barista-made coffees and specialty teas alongside warm, made-to-order sweet crepes with a variety of classic and indulgent toppings.

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THICC S'mores Bar

THICC Cookies is a Sydney-based cookie brand known for loaded, New York-style cookies made fresh and served warm. Their THICC treats are rich, nostalgic and a little bit excessive — in the best way.

For Vivid Fire Kitchen, they're launching the THICC S’mores Bar. Think S’mores cookies, S’mores hot chocolate, and a warm S’mores cookie pie — all built around that classic combo of chocolate, marshmallow and biscuit. The theatre comes from the live toasting — gooey marshmallow, melted chocolate, and that fresh-off-the-heat finish that people can see, smell, and crave instantly.

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Toastie Smith Darling Square

Toastie Smith's fully loaded toasties are an explosion of tastes, guided by a two-year culinary expedition across the globe in search of the perfect toasty. Combining global flavours and traditions, their menu delights across four Sydney locations. 

YYK

Yummy Yummy Knafeh

Highlighting Palestinian culture, heritage and hospitality, Yummy Yummy Knafeh serves up theatrical, fun and sweet Palestinian knafeh, a delicious dessert made with molten Australian-made Akkawi cheese, ghee, golden kataifi and syrup and topped with pistachios. A favourite of Lakemba Nights during Ramadan's markets, Yummy Yummy Knafeh's dessert pairs perfectly with a cup of authentic Middle Eastern coffee, brewed on hot sand.