Epson MD serves meals for CEO CookOff

Epson Australia is supporting OzHarvest’s 2026 CEO CookOff, with Managing Director Craig Heckenberg swapping the office for the kitchen to help raise vital funds for Australians experiencing food insecurity.

Heckenberg is taking on the CEO CookOff 2026 in Sydney on Thursday, 12 November, joining renowned chefs and business leaders to cook and serve meals for local charity communities.

“The CEO CookOff is a reminder that leadership extends well beyond the boardroom,” Heckenberg said. “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of colleagues, partners and friends who have already helped me reach my $5000 target, which translates directly into meals for Australians who need them. Cooking alongside some of the country’s best chefs and serving people who rely on OzHarvest’s work is a privilege, and I am proud that Epson is backing this event nationally.”

OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn AO said that with 3.5 million households in Australia struggling to put food on the table, there has never been a more important time to support the cause.

“CEO CookOff is a unique charity fundraising event, which showcases leadership in action, encouraging the nation’s business leaders to step out of their comfort zones, cook alongside world-class chefs and break bread with guests from the charities OzHarvest serves,” Kahn said.

“This is fundraising with heart and leading with purpose. It is where business meets compassion, where networking happens over chopped onions, and where every participant leaves feeling fuller, not just from the incredible food, but from the knowledge that they have been part of something truly special.”

OzHarvest’s latest Frontline Report shines a spotlight on the critical gap between food supply and demand, with 70% of charities seeing an increase in demand in the last year. Despite supporting over 350,000 people a month, one in five are turned away as demand outstrips supply. OzHarvest supports 1500 charities, with 1600 more on the waitlist to receive food.

Since its inception in 2012, the CEO CookOff has raised over $16 million, enabling OzHarvest to deliver more than 32 million meals to people in need. The fundraising goal for 2026 is $2.5 million to enable an additional five million meals to be delivered.

Heckenberg set his initial fundraising goal of $5000, which would help OzHarvest deliver 10,000 meals to people experiencing food insecurity. Having already met that target puts him in the running for the Black Apron, which is awarded to any leader who raises $10,000 or more in a single CEO CookOff.

Epson is also proudly supporting the OzHarvest CEO CookOff 2026 as a national event sponsor. As part of the sponsorship, Epson has donated EcoTank ET-4950 printers to support the nine CookOff events taking place across Australia, putting Epson technology to work behind the scenes.

Epson EcoTank ET-4950 printer. Image: Supplied

The EcoTank printers will help OzHarvest teams with their printing needs throughout the national series of CEO CookOff events.

To support Heckenberg’s fundraising, donate by 12 November on the CEO CookOff website.

Top image caption: Epson A/NZ MD Craig Heckenberg. Image: Supplied