Join Lucy Ridge for an afternoon of conversation and conviviality to celebrate the launch of her debut book Fed Up.

Lucy will be in conversation with local journalist and CEO of Hands Across Canberra Genevieve Jacobs, followed by a Q&A, drinks and book signings.

More about Fed Up:

An Australian chef’s odyssey into women in food and farming, where ethical, sustainable produce and care for Country dominate.

Disillusioned chef Lucy Ridge is sick of the barked orders, the long hours, the inappropriate comments in the male-dominated restaurant world. It’s ruining her love for cookery. So she decides to go searching for a more meaningful relationship with food.

Taking inspiration from her first female mentor, she seeks out women across the country to teach her how to grow, make, harvest and live a different kind of life, with ethical food production at the centre.

Her kitchen sojourn leads her across Australia: from harvesting bush foods with an Elder in Broome, shucking oysters near Jervis Bay and distilling gin in Darwin, to making cheese in Orange, carving pasture-raised pork near the Great Dividing Range and stomping grapes outside Hobart. As she develops a new understanding of the land and the women who work it, she is transformed.

Fed Up takes readers on a journey from paddock to plate. It prompts us to appreciate those responsible for our dinner and reminds us that passion and joy are the main ingredients of life.

Here's what a few people have to say about Fed Up:

‘Fierce, insightful and unafraid, “recovering chef” Lucy Ridge investigates Australia’s disconnected, dislocated food system by engaging with women daring to farm and produce food differently. Along the way, she queers her life, makes cheese and gin, and laments the colonial history that turned a land in balance into a capitalist frightmare. If you eat, this is the book you need to devour this year.’ Dani Valent, food journalist and restaurant critic

The reader will come away with new understanding of process and respect for these farmers and growers who demonstrate care for Country at the same time as following their own passions.’ Stephanie Alexander, cook, restauranteur and food writer

Idiosyncratic, fun, full of flavour and made with a balanced palate of sweat, tears and love.’ Sam Vincent, author of My Father and Other Animals

‘Lucy Ridge makes me want to quit my job and take off on a year-long gap year around Australia to learn from the women who make, grow and feed this country. This book offers a gorgeous, hopeful glimpse of farming, making and growing at its absolute best.’ Sita Sargeant, author of She Shapes History

Contact the host of Book Launch: Fed Up - A Chef's Adventures in Food, Farming & Feminism