Chef Danielle Alvarez to lead special all-female dinner at Sydney's World Class Cocktail Festival

Esteemed Chef and Good Food contributor Danielle Alvarez will lead an all-female line-up of local and international talent during a five-course dinner at Sydney's Shell House this month.

The one-off event has been organised as part of the World Class Cocktail Festival running from September 9-18, which aims to showcase Australia's hospitality industry through a series of bar takeovers, extravagant dinners and late-night parties.

Alvarez, who left her position as head chef of two-hatted restaurant Fred's in May, says she's using the opportunity to highlight the expertise of female chefs.

"Women don't always get asked to do these events and, generally speaking, they don't toot their own horn or put up their hand as much," Alvarez says.

"This is a big, showcase event, so it's a great opportunity. Promoting women in the industry is something I'd love to do more of."

Alvarez will be joined by Trisha Greentree (Fratelli Paradiso and 10 William Street), Analiese Gregory (Franklin, Quay), Jemma Whiteman (Ante, Pinbone) and Rosie Scatigna, senior sous chef at Shell House.

"There is no doubt that the four women also cooking with me on the night are the people I'd love to cook with the most." Alvarez says.

"They're my friends, so it feels comfortable and easy to cook with them. Ultimately, the guests will benefit from that, and we'll be able to create some fun, beautiful food."

Guests will be taken on a "culinary journey" of seasonal, locally sourced food, cooked simply and honestly in Alvarez' signature style.

Alvarez says each chef is "bringing who she is to the plate", with Scatigna preparing a "beautiful scampi crudo"; Greentree presenting parmesan agnolotti; Whiteman and Gregory working on mains of Murray cod and grilled pork belly; and Alvarez bookending the meal with both canapes and dessert.

"Dessert isn't really what most people expect from me," she says.

"But I'll be making a beautiful chocolate and hazelnut tart."

Former World Class Global Champion and Asia's Bartender's Bartender (2021) Bannie Kang will, by correspondence, create five Singleton whisky cocktails to compliment each dish.

Kang will also be headlining an evening at Cash Only Diner to celebrate Moon Cake (Mid-Autumn) Festival on September 9.

Diageo Australia's Jonathan Morgan says they're excited to be hosting the festival again this year.

"It is going to be a fantastic showcase of Australia's incredibly unique food and drink scene on the global stage, supported by the attendance of over 300 international guests from over 50 countries including many global industry legends," he says.

"We believe it is another important moment of support for the hospitality industry and it will be incredible to see Sydney's city full of life with its impressive cocktail culture booming."

The dinner at Shell House ('The Singleton Open House') will be held from 7-10pm on Wednesday, September 14. Tickets are $375.

World Class Cocktail Festival September 9-18. For more information and tickets, visit worldclasscocktailfestival.com.