The marquees are going up, the aromatic scent of spices is filling the air, and celebrity chefs are descending on our sunny shores to seek new culinary inspiration from our spread of award-winning local produce. Here on the Sunshine Coast, we skip the snow in our winter months and instead welcome the arrival of our acclaimed food festivals. It’s time to whet your appetite!
The Curated Plate
When: 26 July to 4 August
Saltwater Eco Tours, The Curated Plate. Photo credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
After a sellout year in 2023, The Curated Plate returns on the 26 July for 10 glorious days of food and drink experiences celebrating Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry. Taste the best of our local ingredients as you feast your way from our sparkling coastline through to the manicured gardens of our Hinterland hills.
While you'll want to keep The Curated Plate’s three mouthwatering signature events in mind (the Asian Food Festival, Chef's in Conversation and Queensland's Sunshine Pantry live at The Station SC), you’ll also want to check out the impeccable range of smaller, boutique dining encounters on offer. Set across three different afternoons, prepare to set sail for an afternoon that combines the best of whale watching and enjoying local culinary delights at Sunset Whales, Ales and Prawn Tails.
Yanalla Farms, The Curated Plate. Photo credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
Other events to check out this year include local cocktails and treats amongst the lychee orchards at Yanalla Farms’ Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, dinner on the deck at Harry’s on Buderim (shining a spotlight on Australian bush food flavours) and an Italian themed 7-step tasting menu at iconic Mooloolaba institution, Bella Venezia.
We don’t want to spoil all the surprises, though, so make sure to check out the full range of offerings here.
Noosa Eat and Drink Festival
When: 30 May to 2 June
Noosa Eat & Drink Festival
One of the first things you’ll notice when perusing the program of the Noosa Eat and Drink Festival is the tasteful selection of events, designed to cater for a range of preferences. Spread across a bustling Festival Village, award-winning restaurants, and the beach itself, this year’s Festival boasts a headline-grabbing lineup of celebrity chefs ready to exhibit their talents on the mainstage and in the kitchen.
Familiar names you might recognise include Khanh Ong, Gary Mehigan, and George Calombaris, with dessert royalty Adriano Zumbo and Anna Polyviou ready to whip up some sugary delights. Head along for the culinary entertainment on the Main Stage, where standout features include a celebrity chef cookoff, local craft brews and a producers market, or book your spot at one of the other 75+ events on offer across the four days. Highlights include the Zibros Sicilian Long Lunch, Laneway Eats at the Noosa Junction, and a Bush Tucker Botanical Lunch.
GourMay Mary Valley
When: 1 May to 1 June
Festival Day, GourMay Mary Valley
If you haven’t yet hopped in the car and explored the Mary Valley, why not do it during their month-long food festival? This autumn, eat and drink your way around this stunning countryside destination at GourMay Mary Valley. Running (you guessed it) for the entirety of May, this event is a vibrant showcase of local makers and their produce. Expect to find a strong sense of community spirit here, with plenty of experiences premised around shared dining and family fun.
Make sure to come along for Festival Day, which is packed with cooking demonstrations and competitions, or book your spot at the array of satellite events scattered across the region. Whether you feel like indulging in a seven-course degustation dinner celebrating local ingredients, strolling through the lush surrounds of the Amamoor State Forest on a macadamia walk, or kicking back for a movie screening with plenty of mouthwatering eats from Slow Food Noosa, you’ll get to experience the very best of the Mary Valley’s hospitality at this year’s GourMay.
