Elderly woman with white hair and plaid outfit smiles warmly at the camera.

In conversation with Stephanie Alexander 30 Years of The Cook’s Companion

  • Talks and Ideas
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 75 minutes, no interval Subject to change
  • Seating map

Celebrating a legacy of flavour, learning and inspiration

For three decades, The Cook’s Companion has lived on Australian kitchen benches — dog-eared, flour-dusted and deeply loved. First published in the 1990s, it wasn’t just a cookbook. It changed the way Australians cooked and thought about food.

Join Stephanie Alexander, one of Australia’s most influential food writers and educators, for a special evening celebrating the 30th anniversary of her seminal work. Long before food blogs and social media, Stephanie taught a generation to cook with confidence by understanding ingredients, seasons and why flavours work together.

Organised with the clarity of a librarian, The Cook’s Companion is as much a teaching guide as a cookbook. In this warm and reflective conversation, Stephanie will explore the book’s enduring legacy and her wider contribution to Australian food, from farm-to-table cooking to kitchen gardens in schools. 

She will be joined by acclaimed chef and cookbook author Danielle Alvarez, former head chef of Sydney’s two-hatted Fred’s and now Sydney Opera House’s culinary director of events. Renowned for her seasonal, produce-driven approach and sustainable cooking philosophy, Danielle brings expertise and insight to the conversation.

Whether The Cook’s Companion was your mum’s, aunt’s or grandma’s kitchen bible, or you’re discovering it for the first time, this is a rare opportunity to hear from a true Australian icon.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Event details

Of all the many cookery books that exist, there are only really a handful which are truly a must-have - The Cook's Companion is one of them.

Jamie Oliver

Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Playhouse

The Playhouse is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

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