Australia’s Most Exciting New Food Festival Announces Debut Program 190312

The Curated Plate, a new four-day destination food festival in the Sunshine Coast from 8-11 August, has announced the exciting feature events from its debut program. Showcasing the best chefs from Australia and around the world, The Curated Plate will burst with unique culinary events that span the region and bring to life the unique local artisan culture.

Tickets are on sale from 9am (AEST) Tuesday 19 March for subscribers of The Curated Plate e-newsletter (subscribe here) and general public goes on sale from 9am (AEST) Thursday 21 March.

Celebrating the relationship between chef and producer, in the picturesque surrounds of a region famed for its vibrant produce, The Curated Plate encourages guests to immerse themselves in the flavours foraged from organic and sustainable practices and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences.

Venessa Cowell, Head of Food Events, Fairfax Events & Entertainment said: “From the lush hinterland of rainforests and valleys to the majestic Glass House Mountains and iconic beaches, The Curated Plate sets the scene for a revitalising holiday and culinary experience like no other. We’re proud to work closely with Visit Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Council and Tourism and Events Queensland to celebrate this picturesque part of the world and champion the inspiring local producers who nurture the land and sea every day”.

The food and agribusiness industry on the Sunshine Coast is valued at some $700 million and features more than 900 companies, including some of Australia’s leading food and beverage innovators.

Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson said: “With an event like The Curated Plate, there will be plenty for locals and visitors to taste and see. Our region is home to a bevy of primary and world-class food producers including Australia’s largest wild-caught tuna and swordfish company, Walker Seafoods, our famous Mooloolaba prawns, CoYo – the company that helped develop the non-dairy yoghurt category – and Gourmet Garden, Australia’s most visible retail product in supermarket shelves around the world.

“Food experiences and events such as this help to promote the premium quality of our regional produce as well as offering an outstanding visitor experience. Festival guests will appreciate our region’s diverse natural beauty while enjoying the finest produce prepared by the best chefs in the Australian and international dining scene.”

The Curated Plate’s featured events will bring together some of Australia’s brightest young talent, trailblazing culinary masterminds and International heavyweights to work with the incredible local ingredients that grow in the Sunshine Coast’s rich, volcanic land.

The Curated Plate Feature Events

The Legends Lunch | Yandina Station | Thursday 8 August | 12:30pm-4pm | $350

The legendary Peter Gilmore (Quay, Bennelong) and one of Australia’s most talked about chefs, Analiese Gregory (Franklin) will join forces again in the kitchen for an all-out lavish, long lunch, held in the stunning surrounds of Yandina Station. Overlooking the breathtaking Mount Coolum, Gilmore and Gregory will prepare an incredible three-course lunch, served with matched wines. Ticket includes three-course lunch with paired wines.

Seasonal Stars | Mooloolaba Beach | Thursday 8 August | 5:30pm-9pm | $350

A breath-taking four-course dining experience, featuring one of the finest international chefs, Raymond Blanc OBE (Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons) and two Australian-based prodigies, Alejandro Cancino (ex-Urbane, Brisbane, now Lola’s Pantry) & Troy Rhoades-Brown (Muse). As Chef Patron of the acclaimed Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, England, Blanc has retained two Michelin stars for an astounding 34 years. He has also trained and nurtured some of the UK’s most respected chefs in his kitchens, 33 of whom have gone on to gain Michelin stars for themselves. Raymond has been appointed an honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his services to the British food industry. He has also been awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits. Ticket includes four-course dinner with paired wines.

A Hinterland Harvest | Wedding at Tiffany’s | Friday 9 August | 12:30pm-4pm | $350

A Hinterland Harvest is as much about the brilliance of the food as it is about the location, atmosphere and unprecedented experience with world-class chefs. Guests will enjoy a spectacular four-course lunch prepared by a tour de force of international and domestic culinary talent including Raymond Blanc (Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons), Nelly Robinson (owner of progressive Sydney restaurant nel.) and local plant-based champion Alejandro Cancino (ex-Urbane, Brisbane, now Lola’s Pantry). Ticket includes four-course lunch with paired wines.

Wild Forage Dining | Mooloolaba Beach | Friday 9 August | 5.30pm-9pm | $350

This magnificent event truly puts wild Sunshine Coast in the spotlight. Japan’s Zaiyu Hasegawa , whose restaurant Den was voted Best Restaurant in Japan (Asia 50 Best Restaurants 2018), joins Chase Kojima of Sydney’s hatted Sokyo, and Matt Stone , executive chef of the Yarra Valley’s stunning hatted Oakridge Estate, as they prepare an incredible four-course dinner using the best locally-sourced ingredients. Ticket includes four-course dinner with paired wines.

Spicers Den | The Tamarind, Spicers Tamarind Retreat | Saturday 10 August | 5:30pm – 9pm | $290

Michelin-star chef Zaiyu Hasegawa , classically-trained Executive Chef Daniel Jarrett and Gelato Messina’s Donato Toce will collaborate at Jarrett’s stunning restaurant, The Tamarind, for a unique, five-course dinner with matching wines. Den took out the inaugural 2017 Art of Hospitality Award in acknowledgement of Hasegawa’s creative spin on Japanese multi-course haute cuisine. The event is held at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland crown jewel, Maleny. Ticket includes five-course dinner with paired wines. Accommodation packages available for Spicers Retreat.

A Regional Evolution | Mooloolaba Beach | Saturday 10 August | 5:30pm – 9pm | $290

The illustrious Australian chef Clayton Wells of two-hatted Automata and Sunshine Coast local Nick Blake , owner of Wild Forage Australia, will join their neighbour from across the ditch Monique Fiso , owner and head chef of Wellington’s Mo Hiakai for this forage-focused dining experience. Together Clayton (ex- Momofuku Seiōbo, Tetsuya’s, Quay), whose menus are so seasonally-based that they rotate weekly, Monique’s sophisticated boundary-pushing concepts and forage-champion Nick, will showcase the quality of the Sunshine Coast’s premium local produce in this exquisite multi-course dinner. Ticket includes four-course dinner with paired wines.

Urban List presents Feijoa Fiesta | Hinterland Feijoas | Sunday 11 August | 12.30pm-4pm | $150

Guests can graze the afternoon away at Australia’s first certified organic feijoa farm on the Sunshine Coast, with a menu celebrating the tasty uniqueness of the feijoa fruit. Bringing the farm to the table are Clayton Wells (Automata & A1 Canteen), Matt Stone (Oakridge Estate) and Darren Robertson (Three Blue Ducks & The Farm) who share the philosophy of preparing fresh, sustainable, locally-sourced whole-foods. Ticket includes substantial grazing menu with paired wines.

Urban List presents The Elements Long Lunch | Mooloolaba Beach | Sunday 11 August | 12:30pm-4pm | $290

A spectacular four-course menu created by three highly-awarded chefs who push the limits of cooking to reveal flavour in its purest form. New Zealander, Monique Fiso of Mo Hiakai plays a leading role in keeping Māori food culture alive while elevating it to new culinary heights; Alanna Sapwell , seafood sustainability pioneer, nose-to-tail advocate, and ex-head chef of two-hatted Saint Peter, now head chef of recently opened Arc Dining and Wine Bar in Brisbane; and culinary-nomad Analiese Gregory who heads up the acclaimed Franklin in Tasmania. Ticket includes four-course lunch with paired wines.

The Curated Plate Events – More to be announced soon

The Beach Cinema | Eleanor Shipley Park, Moffat Beach Caloundra | 8 – 11 August | 5pm – 10pm | $60

Going to the movies never looked so good – join us at the Sunshine Coast’s most picturesque cinema.

Transforming Eleanor Shipley Park, Moffat Beach every night to a celebration of food, film and beverage. Savour the sunset with a burger in one hand and a beer in the other . Gelato Messina are also collaborating with local producers to create some candy bar staple, sweet treats. Program announced and on sale from May.

The Food Fair at Black Swan Park | Black Swan Park, Cotton Tree Maroochydore | 9 – 10 August, 4pm – late

11 August, 12:30pm – 9:30pm | Pre-register for Free entry

A Curated food fair for the senses – see, touch, sip, smell and taste the best of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer. Talk to the producers, enjoy pop-ups by local eateries and some family fun with entertainers. More details to be announced in early May.

The Culinary Collective | Various Sunshine Coast based restaurants | 8 – 11 August

Australians are known for their hospitality, so a selection of the Sunshine Coast’s best restaurants have opened their kitchens and invited The Curated Plates guest chefs in for a series of collaboration lunch and dinners. Chefs and restaurants announced and on sale from 29 April.

The Destination Series | Various Sunshine Coast based experiences | 5 – 18 August

The Curated Plate also has an exciting extended program full of food and destination led experiences put together by those who know the region best – the locals. From Jet Ski food safaris, Hinterland helicopter tours to horse riding along the picturesque Sunshine Coast beaches, craft beer tours and Opera & firework displays, the full program will be announced and on sale from May.

The Curated Plate Culinary Festival is proudly presented by Fairfax Events & Entertainment, Visit Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Council, and The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland.

The Curated Plate

8-11 August 2019

Pre-sale 9am (AEST), 19 March

On sale 9am(AEST), 21 March

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