Curated Creations at The Curated Plate
The Curated Plate offers the chance to get up and personal with the makers, growers and producers of the region – as well as the chefs that bring the products to life. Deb Caruso discovers an event that brings all of this together for one delicious sunset soirée in the heart of the Maroochydore CBD.
For several years the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) has been on a mission to not only showcase the region’s producers and makers, but to enable them to grow, innovate and connect with community.
Nowhere has this been more present than its annual Meet the Maker showcase which links producers and makers with the necessary retail outlets, supply chains and export opportunities required to build a sustainable business – and link local goodies to customers.
Thanks to the Sunshine Coast’s premier food event, The Curated Plate, the opportunity to meet our local makers and to experience their food and hear their story is more accessible than ever.
The ten-day celebration of local flavours shares in the desire to showcase the people who, produce, create and make the food and drink of the region.
Coming together in one delicious celebration of local makers and creators is Meet the Sunshine Coast Makers – a roving feast showcasing the sublime marriage of local produce and passionate chefs and opening opportunities for conversation.
You can choose your own adventure with the immersive tour of flavours offering two tasty opportunities.
The first one being the Progressive Lunch Event prepared by some of the region’s leading chefs and ending with an informative and engaging panel of guest speakers over drinks, dessert and networking.
The two-course roving feast will start at Market Bistro where from 3pm-4pm, Head Chef Daniel “Dobbers” Dobra will share his passion for local produce on the plate with a delicious entrée and Q&A with a local producer.
The next stop is Bottarga where a main meal packed with local flavours awaits, as does another Q&A session highlighting the synergy between producer and chef.
From 5.30-7.30pm it’s Drinks, Dessert and Networking as the sun sets at The Met. This final event is also available as a stand-alone ticket.
Your host for this culinary adventure will be none other than Paul West, a passionate advocate of real food, community, regional living and sustainable agriculture. The host of A River Cottage Australia which followed his journey to grow an abundance of farm-fresh food and then cook and share it with his local community, Paul will conduct a Q&A with four innovative producers while an impressive grazing board packed with local goodness awaits.
The likes of Silver Tongue Foods; Three Geese; Maleny Cheese; Woombye Cheese; Max + Tom; Biscotto; The Fermentier; Wicked Nuts; and Hum Honey will feature with frozen desserts and a range of drinks on offer from Maleny Food Co; CoYo; Frozen Sunshine; Montville Coffee; Your Mates Brewing; Black Lemonade; Steampunk Distillery; and So Soda.
The Doonan Executive Chef Wayd Bailey has embraced the brief to devise a specially-curated, mouth-watering four-course feast starring local producers with matching wines showcasing a variety of pinot. This isn’t your standard menu or your normal lunch! Meet and mingle with guest speakers from our “Everyone Has a Story” podcast in the stunning grounds of The Doonan. Local flavours and personalities, fascinating conversations and plenty of laughs.
Date: Friday 4 August, 11.30am-2.30pm
Venue: The Doonan
Tickets: $165 incl 4 courses, matching wines
FAN presents Meet the Sunshine Coast Makers – a progressive event showcasing the region’s innovative producers and makers with guest host Paul West of A River Cottage Australia. Enjoy a hosted Q&A with producers and chefs while indulging in entrée at Market Bistro and a main meal at Bottarga before drinks, dessert, networking and a curated panel session at The Met Maroochydore – or you can just purchase a ticket for The Met.
Date: Friday 28 July, 3pm-7.30pm
Venue: Maroochydore CBD
Tickets: from $38.50
FAN’s inaugural CRAFTed Food & Agritourism Conference will feature Paul West and industry experts including Sarah Meikle, Chief Executive Wellington Culinary Events; Andrew Pitt, Director Launceston Gastronomy; and Carly Povey, COO Bonza; with a fifth expert to be announced. A great networking and connection opportunity for industry professionals to learn how food tourism experts showcase their region.
Date: Monday 31 July, 11.30am-5.30pm
Venue: Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Tickets: from $110, optional dinner at Sunshine & Sons Distillery
Find out more and book tickets to one or all of these events.
