The Share Table: nourishing connection and celebrating culture
At Nine, we believe that the richness of our workplace is found in the diverse cultures, traditions, and stories of our people. Nothing brings those elements together quite like shared food. The vibrant work of our Cultural Diversity Employee Resource Group (ERG) culminates in the third annual release of The Share Table, a cookbook that is far more than a collection of recipes—it’s a tangible celebration of community.
To gain more insight into this initiative, we spoke to four key contributors from Nine’s Cultural Diversity Community: Leah Beadman, Head of Client Solutions at Powered, Jessica Dillon, Executive Assistant, Kaitlyn Diduck, Senior Design Manager, and Angelica Ordonez, Senior Designer. The team shared how they collaborated to bring it to life, and why sharing a meal is the most fundamental way to build connection and inclusion across Nine.
Could you introduce us to the Cultural Diversity Community at Nine and share its core mission? How does the group actively contribute to making Nine a more inclusive workplace?
Our Cultural Diversity Community is an employee resource group with the purpose of championing cultural diversity to create a community where everyone belongs. We have also defined objectives that ladder up into this purpose to help shape our plans across our core pillars of content, awareness & our cookbook. We actively contribute through a focus on informing & educating on the importance of cultural diversity in our content, creating & sharing content about the rich cultural heritage of Nine’s people, creating awareness of culturally significant moments and seeking to develop the cultural competency of our Community. Our community is made up of a co-chair & pillar leads and welcomes anyone from within Nine to contribute ideas and share stories & experience!
The Share Table is more than just a collection of recipes. How does a project like this cookbook specifically align with the wider goals and objectives of the Cultural Diversity Community for the coming year?
The Share Table is a key initiative that aligns to two of our objectives – it allows us to create & share content about the rich cultural heritage of Nine’s people and create awareness of culturally significant moments. The stories & care that are shared with us in the submissions are so genuine and rich in culture – we are proud and privileged to share these with Nine’s people to help to continue to champion cultural diversity within Nine.
What was the defining moment or key conversation that led to the idea of a cookbook?
We recognised that Nine is made up of so many people with different stories, traditions & cultures – everyone is bringing something to the table! Vaish Krishnan, one of our previous co-chairs had the idea to create a cookbook, and from there we developed the concept and The Share Table was born – food brings families & friends together, and to share. In 2025, we have created the 3rd annual edition.
What kind of energy and response have you seen from employees across Nine as the cookbook project has taken shape each year?
The energy surrounding ‘The Share Table’ is consistently exhilarating and deeply personal – I believe it’s one of the most powerful annual cultural moments we have. The response isn’t just widespread; it’s heartwarming—employees enthusiastically volunteer their most cherished, often family-secret recipes, complete with the stories that give them life, and this genuine willingness to share such a personal part of their background turns the project into far more than a cookbook; it becomes a vibrant cultural mosaic of Nine. The passionate collaboration from our volunteer teams and the sustained excitement from contributors truly underscores how much people value this annual opportunity to celebrate their heritage.
Beyond the incredible recipes, what is the lasting message or feeling you hope every reader and contributor will take away from The Share Table?
Beyond the joy of the delicious recipes, the lasting message we hope to embed is one of profound connection and absolute belonging. We want every contributor to feel completely seen, valued, and truly championed within the organisation. For the reader, we hope the book acts as a daily reminder that food is the ultimate universal language. It’s about bridging those distances between colleagues and departments, fostering a deeper sense of empathy, and cementing the idea that the incredible diversity within our walls is, without question, our greatest shared strength!
Creating a project of this scale is complex. Can you walk us through the “secret sauce” of collaboration—how did the team come together across different departments and roles to bring The Share Table to life?
The “secret sauce” was really a mix of passion and curiosity. With Leah and Jess’s experience and endless guidance, we created a genuinely collaborative process with regular check-ins, shared ideas, and real care for every story. Ange and I shaped the book’s design alongside this process every step of the way. Working with the contributors, learning about their cultures and connecting with colleagues we might never have met brought these personal histories to life made the project truly special.
Working intimately with colleagues’ recipes and stories must have been an incredible experience. How did the process of creating the cookbook deepen your personal appreciation of the diverse cultures and hidden stories within Nine?
Working on this project made me realise how many hidden stories live behind the scenes, stories of family rituals, migration, and simple family joy. Translating those narratives into a visual experience is a privilege. The project is a little reminder that our workplace is far more diverse and rich than we sometimes stop to notice, and being trusted to help bring those personal histories to life has been a great experience.
Share Table is available for everyone as a digital edition here. https://ninecareers.com.au/nines-cookbook/
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