Culinary Connections at The Curated Plate
Local foodies are busy cooking up menus, venues and experiences for The Curated Plate 2023! Georgia Beard offers a taste of the major events and activities as part of the palate-pleasing programme.
The Curated Plate returns with a main course of regional flavours, culinary expertise and immersive experiences from 28 July to 6 August.
The foodie festival has gathered an array of industry partners from farmers and producers to restaurateurs and chefs; distillers, brewers and bartenders.
In commercial kitchens, on distillery floors and between towers of craft beer vats, collaboration is growing. From all corners of the industry, businesses are bringing together sensational local flavours in fresh new ways.
Events range from family-friendly festivals to exclusive dinners, farm tours and distillery tastings. Some events have already sold out, others are reaching capacity.
Amongst what’s on offer in venues, on the land and on the seas, The Curated Plate 2023 will feature four signature events to transform and define the festival experience:
One day. Many bars. And a thousand unforgettable experiences. Presented by Mooloolaba Initiatives and Activations, MooloolaBARS is a celebration of Sunshine Coast beer, gin, food and music, moving from one bar to the next along the stunning Mooloolaba waterfront with approximately 25 bars, distilleries and breweries!
Spicers Tamarind Retreat will host the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival bringing together four iconic Asian restaurants. The Tamarind’s Dan Jarrett will be joined by the talented teams from Sum Yung Guys, Spirit House and Rice Boi for an afternoon of Asian street food, local brews and cooking demonstrations.
Paddock to Curated Plate presented by 91.1 Hot FM will be a free family-friendly event giving foodies of all ages the opportunity to touch, taste and experience the best of our own backyard.
Hosted at Cotton Tree, food tastings, interactive workshops and demonstrations from local producers to showcase the complete palate of the Sunshine Coast food scene.
FAN presents Meet the Sunshine Coast Makers in an interactive program that promises to be delightful and delicious and offer the chance to chat with your favourite maker. For the industry professionals, don’t miss FAN’s CRAFTed Food Tourism Conference with a cracking lineup of guest speakers and ending with a finale dinner featuring Terra Firma at Sunshine & Sons distillery.
We’re adding our own flavours to this festival feast with Podcast & Pinot at The Doonan where Executive Chef Wayd Bailey has created a bespoke four-course menu that’s all local and a step up from the everyday. Matched with the finest wines of the Pinot variety and paired with fascinating conversations with special guests from the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast, we’ll celebrate homegrown food, heartfelt hospitality and raise funds for OzHarvest.
Visit www.thecuratedplate.com.au for the full program, event details and to buy tickets.
FIVE SPICE!
In addition to our Podcast + Pinot and FAN’s Meet the Sunshine Coast Maker, Deb Caruso highlights five of the standout events being dished up by passionate locals as part of The Curated Plate 2023. Explore the full feast at www.thecuratedplate.com.au
Here’s a flavoursome five events to spice up your experience as part of The Curated Plate:
1. THE CROCODILE HUNTER LODGE BY AUSTRALIA ZOO: HONOURING A LEGACY
Sunday 20 July, 11.30am-2.30pm. $195+BF
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, Irwin Rd, Beerwah
Enjoy an indulgent four-course lunch curated by Warrior Restaurant & Bar’s talented chefs with a coast-inspired welcome cocktail by Sunshine & Sons and expertly paired wines from Sirromet Wines. Enjoy live music whilst overlooking the resident wildlife, honouring a legacy to save wildlife and wild places.
2. WHEELHOUSE PICNIC (Sunrise or Sunset)
Friday 28 July – Sunday 6 August, sunrise 5am-7am or sunset 5pm-7pm. From $275.
Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore
This exclusive and intimate chef-curated pop-up picnic by Thistle in the Woods allows you to watch the sun rise or set over Maroochy River in one of Bradman Avenue’s historic wheelhouses. Full catering for 2-4 people.
Friday 28 July – Sunday 6 August, 11.30am-1.30pm plus 3.30pm-5.30pm, 3 August.
From $89+BF. 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba.
Step back in time on Saltwater Eco Tours’ Spray of the Coral Coast heritage-listed vessel and enjoy canapés featuring local produce and bush tucker while you soak up the winter sun cruising along the gorgeous Mooloolah River.
Sunday 30 July – Sunday 6 August, 10am-5pm. From $50+BF. Sunshine & Sons Distillery,
104 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye.
Visit Sunshine & Sons Distillery to enjoy the limited edition cheese, crackers and marmalade made by Woombye Cheese Co and Silver Tongue Foods. Enjoy a Gin-infused washed rind cheese coupled with Gin-scented Orange Marmalade and Gin Salted Crackers, paired with two Gin & Tonics. Soak in the lush views overlooking Woombye and be sure to grab some goodies to enjoy at home!
Sunday 6 August, 12pm-5pm. $220+BF.
Sunshine Coast Turf Club. 170 Pierce Avenue, Caloundra.
Enjoy the thrill of the track with locally-sourced gourmet canapés, share style banquet lunch and cheese and dessert board plus a five-hour drinks package with Malfi Gin Cocktails and premium wines and beer. Live music, Fashions on the Field and guest tipsters add to the fun!
