Illawarra's own MasterChef dishes out support to Need A Feed

Wollongong’s Gill Dinh might be a 2024 top 10 MasterChef Australia contestant, but perhaps her most meaningful cook is on the horizon.

The culinary talent known for innovative Eurasian fusion cooking has teamed up with local charity founder Shaz Harrison of Need A Feed to deliver deliciousness and hope to those in need.

The pair will cook a special feast, then personally deliver it to those who need it most in a bid to raise awareness for hunger relief in the Illawarra region.

“The Need a Feed mission really struck a chord with me. Food is such an important part of my life, and if I can utilise my platform or journey with MasterChef to help nourish people who need it most – especially in the community I grew up with – I want to do that,” Gill says.

“Teaming up with Shaz and Need a Feed lets me bring my love of cooking into something much bigger … It’s more than just cooking. It’s about showing up for people, offering them not only great food but letting them know someone cares.”

In brainstorming a cost-effective yet delicious and nourishing meal for the event, Gill dipped again into her Italian and Vietnamese heritage.

“I’m thinking of a meatball banh mi type sub. I think that would be a really cool take on a classic that we’ll be able to pour lots of love into,” she says.

“We would love to collaborate with a local baker and butcher and get as many people involved as possible.”

The Shaz-Gill collaboration will allow Need A Feed to meet people where they are, offering food, conversation and a sense of community.

With the support of Wollongong businesses K.malu Kitchen & Bar in Keira Street, who have generously offered their kitchen space for cooking, and the T-shirt Workshop, who have provided the custom T-shirts for this event, the event will help progress Need A Feed’s long-term vision of launching a mobile food truck to extend its reach even further.

This ties in with the broader From Hearts to Hands campaign, aimed at raising awareness and funds to support its mission of reaching more people in need.

“A lot of studies show that sharing a meal increases confidence and is good for our mental health,” Shaz says. “At Need A Feed we put so much love in our food, so it’s from our heart to people’s hands. So From Hearts to Hands felt like a fitting name for this campaign.”

Shaz says the focus is on engaging the community to come together and demonstrate the power of a collective effort.

“At the heart of this campaign is our goal to raise funds for a mobile food truck, which will allow us to reach even more individuals who are unable to access our existing services,” she says.

“This food truck will enable us to deliver meals directly to those in need, breaking down barriers and opening doors to conversations, support and new opportunities.

“The Hearts to Hands link bridges our efforts with the wider community, inviting everyone to contribute in any way they can — whether it’s through donations, volunteer work, or simply spreading the word.

“Together, we can put more meals on more plates and extend the caring hand of Need a Feed even further.”

Over a decade Need a Feed has nourished thousands of people facing food insecurity, homelessness and isolation in more ways than one.

Shaz says the sense of connection, belonging and hope attached to the service is as important as the meals made with love and dedication.

“My own journey with food insecurity started when I was just a month old,” she says. “Need a Feed was born from that moment; I understand that food isn’t just about filling bellies — it’s about connection, love and care. That’s why at Need a Feed, we do more than just feed people; we reach out and make sure they know they’re not alone.”

The Gill x Need A Feed collaboration takes place from 6 pm on Monday 4 November at Burelli Street, McCabe Park, Wollongong. Support the cause by donating via Need A Feed, following the charity on Facebook or Instagram or spreading the word.