Curious guests will be able to eat insects and discuss the practice at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide.
An adults-only event will offer "an exciting discussion" about entomophagy with top figures in science and cooking, followed by an insect feast by renowned Bistro Dom chef Duncan Welgemoed.
"While some Australians sitting down to their morning ritual of toast, fruit or cereal would be unable to fathom the idea of popping a nutritious worm into their mouths, more than two billion people around the world include insects as part of their daily diets," says the museum's publicist, Alex Parry.
With food security an ongoing source of conflict and concern in many parts of the world, communities were making the most of their resources by eating insects, she said in a statement.
The museum's acting director, biologist Professor Andrew Lowe, said the event will combine cutting edge science with outstanding food expertise to examine an important social issue.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Chef Welgemoed said during his varied career he'd been exposed to cooking methods that included scorpions, maggots and bee waste products as part of the menu and has served roasted ants and crickets in his Adelaide restaurant.
"That's the big thing with insects - it has to be delicious," he said.
"The western world considers it taboo and sometimes I've had resistance, but I've stuck to my guns and people have really enjoyed the food.
"Insects are sustainable and a high source of protein and vitamins.
"Having a couple of insect farms producing thousands of insects to feed people is just brilliant.
"I can't see any negatives in changing Western countries' perceptions."
The event will be held on September 13.
