The Curated Plate’s inaugural four days of food events kicked off in style and locals and visitors alike jumped at the chance to be part of it.
The emphasis on ‘local’ was integral to the success of the festival, which showcased local producers and local restaurateurs as an integral component of the Sunshine Coast’s tourism infrastructure – with the added bonus of nationally and internationally renowned chefs.
From seafood safaris in Caloundra to fine dining in the hinterland and bush tucker in Eumundi, local businesses and restaurants hosting events across The Curated Plate event were inspired to seize the opportunities associated with the festival and collaborate with other local organisations and producers to showcase their best offer.
The Curated Plate generated substantial interstate and intrastate visitation, particularly from Brisbane, and also from Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand.
The event also attracted extensive national publicity, presenting the Sunshine Coast in a new and authentic way, and provided a significant point of difference from other food festivals by putting the focus on the destination and our distinctive produce.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said that he was delighted with the outstanding success of the inaugural Curated Plate event and is already looking forward to next year’s festival.
“Besides the direct benefits to local businesses by attracting interstate and intrastate visitors, the staging of the event has created substantial publicity for the region which will have long term benefits for tourism and the promotion of the exceptional quality of food and beverage products available from the Sunshine Coast,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“The Curated Plate provided an inspirational platform for local chefs, restaurants and producers to work closely with some of the worlds most acclaimed and exciting chefs, showcasing the exceptional produce that our Sunshine Coast can offer.”
Visit Sunshine Coast Chief Executive Officer Simon Latchford, said The Curated Plate was different from most food festivals because it showcased the destination with authentic events held from the Glass House Mountains in the south to Eumundi in the north. It also offered a wide range of price points and event styles to ensure that it was relevant to a wide audience.
“There is a huge opportunity to build on what was created in the inaugural year and the considerable learnings to ensure The Curated Plate continues to evolve and develop as one of Australia’s most dynamic and cutting-edge food festivals.”
Across the festival, guests heard from producers and chefs, visited farms, local businesses and restaurants, and dined at unique bespoke venues created especially for The Curated Plate.
Local residents were particularly engaged through the range of events, including the Food Fair, which attracted in excess of 13,000 attendees across the weekend.
Visit Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Council and Tourism & Events Queensland have embarked on a multi-year agreement with Nine Entertainment to deliver The Curated Plate, and the first-year event has certainly demonstrated a hunger for authentic food experiences in one of Australia’s most desirable destinations.
Go to www.thecuratedplate.com.au to see what delicious events you can still attend and enjoy all the delectable delights the region has to offer.
