Nostos Salon 07

An engaging salon event at the beautiful Smith Street Studio for thoughtful conversation over shared seasonal food and curated wines.

Nostos is an intimate afternoon salon series by Anthrōprospective at Smith Street Studio in Collingwood, inner Melbourne. Inspired by the ancient Greek concept of nostos [νόστος]—a longing to return home, this gathering invites us back: to community, to place, to self, and to one another. In a time of disconnection, Nostos is a return to slow, thoughtful conversation shared over drinks and food.

How do I get to Smith Street Studio?

The entrance to the studio is off Little Oxford St, Collingwood – via a small lane between 77 and 79 Little Oxford. Head up the end of the lane and you will find the studio on the far left directly next door to Studio Pancho.

Theme: The Anthropology of Food Systems

Our upcoming Nostos gathering will explore the systems that feed us, and the complex social, ecological, and ethical worlds embedded within them. In a time of climate instability, rising food insecurity, and industrialised agriculture, this conversation invites us to rethink food not simply as consumption, but as a deeply relational practice that connects soils, bodies, communities, and planets.

Through the lens of anthropology and human geography, we’ll explore how contemporary food systems both enable and undermine human and ecological health. What does it mean to eat well in an era of environmental unravelling? How are small-scale farmers, urban growers, and community food movements reimagining regeneration, equity, and care? From soil microbiomes and healthy guts to municipal markets and community kitchens, how do food infrastructures shape possibilities for collective flourishing across scales?

We are delighted to welcome Kelly Donati, Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow at RMIT University. Kelly’s research examines how food systems intersect with ecological integrity, public health, and social justice, bringing gastronomy into dialogue with environmental humanities, multispecies studies, and science and technology studies. She is also the founding chairperson of Sustain: The Australian Food Network, where she has worked with communities and government to support transitions toward more regenerative, participatory, and equitable food futures.

This afternoon salon invites participants into an open, nourishing dialogue about how we might cultivate food systems rooted in regeneration, connection, and deliciousness. Together, we’ll explore how anthropology can help us see food as a site of care, politics, and possibility, and how reimagining what we grow, share, and eat might also help us reimagine the worlds we inhabit.

Whether you’re curious about anthropology, seeking connection with new friends over good food and drinks, or simply drawn to deep conversation, Nostos offers a place at the table. Come as you are - all are welcome.

Ticket price includes light refreshments and generous servings of wine or non-alcoholic drinks kindly provided by our event sponsors Natural Order Wines and NON. Please indicate your dietary requirements at booking. See below for frequently asked questions.