Let's come together to make a positive impact on our planet, one meal at a time!
Simon Toohey is a chef, television presenter and sustainability advocate known for his plant-forward approach to cooking and passion for conscious living. He gained national recognition as a finalist on MasterChef Australia in 2019 and returned in 2020 to further champion sustainable, vegetable-focused cuisine. His creative cooking style and vibrant personality quickly made him a standout figure in Australia’s food industry.
Since 2021, Simon has hosted Freshly Picked with Simon Toohey, a popular Channel 10 series celebrating local producers, seasonal ingredients and accessible plant-based cooking. Beyond television, Simon has launched successful hospitality ventures, including his sustainable café Hectors, and the Geelong City Markets and continues to advocate for reducing food waste, supporting local growers and promoting ethical food systems.
Simon is also a respected speaker, regularly appearing at food festivals, corporate events and sustainability programs to share insights on modern food culture and mindful living. With a strong presence across media and digital platforms, he has partnered with brands aligned with sustainability and healthy living.
Through his work across television, hospitality and public speaking, Simon continues to inspire Australians to embrace seasonal produce, cook with intention and make more sustainable choices every day.
Talking Points
Fighting Food Waste
Food waste is one of the biggest challenges in our food system, and Simon believes the key to tackling it starts in our own kitchens. Through foraging, root to leaf vegetable cooking, and creative reuse of scraps, Simon has developed an approach that turns what many see as waste into delicious, valuable ingredients. In a talk, he dives into the impact of food waste on the environment and how small changes can make a big difference. In a cooking demo, Simon shows practical ways to use every part of a vegetable—like making stocks from scraps or turning overripe produce into ferments—proving that waste-free cooking is not only sustainable but also full of flavour.
Fighting Food Waste
The Future of Food is Plants
Our food choices shape the planet’s future. Industrial agriculture is a major driver of deforestation, soil degradation, and climate change, while plant-forward food systems use fewer resources, restore ecosystems, and increase food security. By shifting towards horticulture and regenerative farming, we can grow more food on less land, rebuild soil health, and create a resilient food system that nourishes both people and the planet. In a talk paired with a live cooking demo, Simon explores how this shift benefits our environment, showcasing delicious, practical ways to make plants the centrepiece of every meal.
The Future of Food is Plants
Induction cooking: the future of sustainable cooking
Gas cooking has long been the standard, but it’s outdated, inefficient, and polluting. Induction cooking is the next evolution—offering precision, speed, and energy efficiency while eliminating harmful indoor air pollution from gas stoves. It’s a game-changer for chefs and home cooks alike. In an interactive presentation, Simon explores why induction is the future, how it aligns with electrification and sustainability, and the myths holding people back. Demonstrating live through cooking how induction enhances control, improves safety, and makes sustainable cooking easier without compromising on flavour or technique.
Induction cooking: the future of sustainable cooking
Video
Secrets of Masterchef Australia with Simon Toohey
Simon was incredible to work with, such a professional. ... keep reading AUSVEG LTD.
Simon Toohey was the perfect MC for Geelong's Longest Lunch 2026 - a 300-person fundraising event celebrating food, community, and connection. His natural charm, warm banter, and genuine passion for the foodie world made him an instant hit with guests. From heartfelt interviews to a high-energy live auction, Simon’s experience and professionalism brought it all together with ease. We couldn't recommend him more highly.
