Celebrated journalist Leigh Sales and award-winning entrepreneur Gwen Blake are bringing their hard-won wisdom and delightful new book, The Holiday Kitchen, to Bondi Pavilion. 

Radiating common sense and warmth, Gwen and Leigh are the friends we all need. Having done all the thinking and organising for us, they are ready to divulge their best-found tips on how to maximise taste and fun while easing the mental load of cooking on holidays and at home. 

Come to the table for a joyful celebration of food, conversation and connection as these friends and cooks share their sensible, practical and unfussy philosophy approach to feeding the people they love. 

Leigh Sales AM is one of Australia’s most respected journalists, well known for her work hosting the ABC’s 7.30, and now, Australian Story. She has interviewed dozens of world leaders and celebrities, including Tony Blair, the Dalai Lama, Paul McCartney, and every living Australian Prime Minister, as well as the late Bob Hawke. Leigh, the winner of three Walkley Awards, is also the author of 4 other books, including the bestselling Any Ordinary Day. She is the co-host of the popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 with Annabel Crabb. In 2023, her service to journalism and the community was recognised with an honorary doctorate from Edith Cowan University. Leigh also anchors the popular ABC TV program The Assembly, in which she mentors a group of autistic journalism trainees, helping them interview well-known Australians.

Gwen Blake is the Founder and Director of Boxer Brands, an award-winning branding and packaging design agency based in Sydney. For 18 years, she has worked with some of the retail industry’s biggest names, including Woolworths, Nestlé and Kraft Heinz, helping brands earn a place in kitchens and shopping trolleys across Australia. An avid cook, organiser and lover of bringing people together over food, Gwen is also the creator and producer of the much-loved Chat 10 Looks 3 merchandise range for Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb’s wildly popular podcast.

Nab a book bundle and save
Prepurchase your copy of The Holiday Kitchen when booking your ticket and save a bundle on the cover price. Orders will be available for collection at the venue from the team at Gertrude & Alice Bookstore. 

Event information 
Refreshments will be available from the Theatre Bar from 5.30pm. 
Tickets are General Admission. Seats are not allocated. 
To book accessible seating, please complete the Accessibility Requirements section when registering for your ticket.

Presented by Waverley Council and Gertrude & Alice Bookstore. With thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia.