The Purple Hands Foundation, in partnership with WA Good Food Guide and sponsored by Variety, came together to deliver a special night for over 280 students at the fourth instalment of the Kimberley 9s Carnival’s student dining experience. 

Once again, this year’s menu was inspired by student input from the Fuel to Play Kimberley Connected nutrition workshops, and was specially crafted by some of Western Australia’s best chefs for a memorable night of delicious dining against the scenic backdrop of some of the Kimberley’s finest coastline and one of Broome’s iconic sunsets. 

Following an action-packed two hours under the sun on Cable Beach earlier in the day, the travelling students were treated to the exclusive, hand-crafted dinner, with special thanks to chefs Rohan Park (Mahogany Creek Distributors), Brendan Pratt (Wayfinder Wines) and Blaze Young (Edward & Ida’s). 

Fresh from surprising students with a lunchtime performance after the carnival, popular Kimberley outfit Family Shoveller Band once again stole the show at the Student Dining Experience, delivering a stellar set that had the crowd buzzing.

WA Good Food Guide Editor-in-Chief Georgia Moore reflected on how food brings people together and fosters belonging.

"Every year I tell myself I know what to expect, and every year the Kimberley 9s proves me wrong. Four years in, it has become the heart of what The Guide stands for: food as the way we gather, share culture and tell people they belong,” Moore said. 

“What makes the night so special is that the students aren't guests at someone else's table. 

“The menu starts with their own ideas from the Fuel to Play workshops, and our chefs treat those ideas with the same care they'd give any dining room in the state.  

“These young people travel enormous distances to be here, and our job is to make sure the table is worth the journey. 

“Our partnership with the Purple Hands Foundation keeps growing because the impact is so tangible. You see it in the laughter, in the second helpings and in the students who leave knowing how extraordinary the produce of their own country is." 

Rohan Park from Mahogany Creek Distributors said it was an experience he utterly enjoyed. 

“After being involved in the inaugural year, I couldn’t wait to come back,” Park said. 

“It’s a perfect fit for Mahogany Creek and our values: cooking with Indigenous ingredients, working with the kids, and giving back. 

“It’s about looking after these kids and their community. Putting a smile on their faces is worth more than anything.” 

A special thanks to the following organisations: 
 

WAGFG Valued Partners:

• Endeavour Foods
• La Delizia Latticini
• Little Home Bakery
• Lilydale Chicken
• Mahogany Creek Distributors
• Pezzano Enterprises
• Programmed Facility Management
• The Continental Hotel
• Wayfinder
• PFD Food Services
• Springer Foods
• Tenderspot Meat Company
• Tomorrow’s Tribe