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The Curated Plate, a new four-day destination food festival taking over the Sunshine Coast 8-11 August, has announced its extended program of food and destination-led experiences curated by those who know the region best – the locals.  http://www.stevecafeandcuisine.com/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. Tickets are on sale now.

The Culinary Collective is a series of events held in popular Sunshine Coast restaurants, bars and breweries, which will see local chefs collaborate with feature chefs from The Curated Plate’s festival program to create one-off menus and unique experiences. The likes of Chase Kojima (Sokyo, Sydney) and Troy Rhoades-Brown (Muse, Hunter Valley NSW) will be invited into the local kitchens to help showcase the best of the Sunshine Coast’s incredible produce.

Complementing The Curated Plate’s incredible dining events is an impressive line-up of activity-led local experiences, specially curated and hosted by Sunshine Coast businesses. Running from 5-18 August, The Destination Series includes everything from Jet Ski food safaris along the Pumicestone Passage to a four-day cycling and culinary experience around the majestic Sunshine Coast and hinterland, dining under the stars at Flaxton Gardens, a train deguSTATION journeythrough the Mary Valley, craft beer tours, and an opulent Opera and fireworks show over a locally sourced feast at Sunshine Castle after dark.

The Culinary Collective | Various Sunshine Coast locations | 8-11 August

Spice Bar to Sokyo | Spice Bar | Thursday 8 August | 12:00pm – 5:00pm| $180 Chase Kojima of Sydney’s Sokyo joins Aaron Ruttan of Spice Bar in the kitchen to create this one-off seafood extravaganza, proudly supported by Walker Seafoods Australia. The duo not only aim to create a delicious feast but also educate diners on sustainable seafood practices, the importance of buying sustainable seafood and the effect it has on the local marine environment. Ticket includes seven-course seafood banquet (beverages purchased separately).

When Harry Met Nelly | Harry’s On Buderim | Thursday 8 August | 6:00pm – 10:00pm| $199 Set in the beautiful leafy forest and park surrounds, Harry’s on Buderim’s chef and owner, Stuart Bell, welcomes chef and owner of Sydney’s nel. restaurant, Nelly Robinson, to the charming 139 year old homestead. Showcasing the best of the Sunshine Coasts Regional produce, you won’t want to miss When Harry met Nelly. Ticket includes six-course degustation with paired wines.

Brouhaha, Matt & Mike present ‘The Art of Beer and Food’ | Brouhaha Brewery | Friday 9 August | 12:30pm – 3:00pm | $150 Relaxed 5 course degustation with matching beers, utilising Sunshine Coast produce. Ticket includes a five-course lunch with matching beers (wines can be provided upon request)

Sunday Delights with Tides and Wasabi | Tides Waterfront Dining | Sunday 11 August | 11:30am – 3:30pm | $165 Celebrating the beautiful seafood the Sunshine Coast has on offer, Damien Gage of Tides Waterfront Dining will meet Zeb Gilbert of two-hatted Wasabi for this one-off five-course lunch with paired wines from Villa Maria, New Zealand’s most awarded winery. Ticket includes five-course lunch with paired wines.

Muse Dining and The Long Apron – A collaboration between two of Australia’s finest regional restaurants | The Long Apron | Sunday 11 August | 6:00pm – 10:00pm | $195 Join us to discover what regional dining is all about. Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse Dining will highlight the Hunter region and Chris Hagan from The Long Apron will showcase the best of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Ticket includes canapés on arrival, six courses with matched beverages.

The Destination Series | Various Sunshine Coast locations | 5 – 18 August

Caloundra Jetski Hire & Safaris | 5-8 August | 11:00am – 3:00pm | $220 / $440 Caloundra Jetski’s Seafood Safari is a half day experience for fun-loving foodies giving them the opportunity to Jetski the entire length of the Ramsar listed Pumicestone Passage past ancient volcanoes, to Sandstone Point Bribie Island. Guests will indulge in a locally sourced seafood extravaganza at Spinnaker Sound Marina prepared by Dock n Dine’s French chef.

Cooloola Berries | Berry Funday | 5-18 August (closed Fridays) | From 8:00am | $27 Jason and his wife Kim are inundated with carloads of food lovers every weekend wanting to gorge themselves on berries picked straight from the bushes. Hundreds of people flock to the farm each week to drink strawberry cider, eat strawberry inspired desserts and ice-cream, and just enjoy relaxing in a beautiful setting. Cooloola Berries is en route to Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay so it’s a great place to stop in if your heading out for a day trip that way.

Cooloola Berries | Farmers Table | 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17 & 18 August | From 9:00am | Adult $39 Child $17 Take a seat at their long table and learn about Jason’s passion for farming at their Farmers Table breakfast and farm tour at Cooloola Berries. Cooloola Berries grows 80,000 strawberries of more than 10 varieties, and is an award-winning agritourism farm with a gate to plate café and store. Jason and Kim work with local producers to coordinate the Cooloola Farm Trail and you can taste the sunshine all year round at Cooloola Berries.

Cooloola Berries – Paella in the Paddock | 11 & 18 August | 7:00pm – 10:00pm | From $29 On Sunday afternoons ‘Paella in the Paddock’ sees Jason get out his big paella pans and cook up a feast while live music plays in the background. Join them for a farm fiesta which includes two serves of paella, two glasses of strawberry sangria and one strawberry chocolate tapas platter.

Wildflower Restaurant and Bar | Create Your Plate | 8 August | 6:00pm – 10:00pm | $129 Stroll through the beautiful backdrop of Wildflower Restaurant and Bar, providing the perfect atmosphere for your afternoon. The kitchen team will showcase a culinary experience to ‘create your plate’ with individual grazing style dishes to be paired with wine, beer and cider tastings and live entertainment by a local artist.

Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours | Hinterland Farm to Fork Experience | 8 August | $200 Taste some of the amazing fresh produce used in restaurants and venues across the Sunshine Coast such as the Visit Sunshine Coast Coffee Roastery, Falls Farm, and Maleny Wagyu. Finish up at Brouhaha Brewery for a four-course lunch featuring local produce from the farms matched with fresh beer brewed on-site.

Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours | Locally Crafted and Local Flavours | 9 August | 9:00am – 3:30pm | $195 Visit a range of local producers to hear their stories and sample their produce. Taste locally produced chocolate and fresh seafood from Mooloolaba, plus a visit to the iconic Big Pineapple which is home to many other local producers, and finally to a local brewery for a delicious lunch featuring local produce and beer.

The Mary Valley Rattler | DeguSTATION Train | 8 August | 4:00pm – 9:00pm | $195 Explore, taste and experience the great flavours of the region at the heritage stations of Amamoor, Dagun and Gympie on board the Rattler steam train as you wind your way through the stunning Mary Valley. With a toot and a whistle you’re away, as local Chefs Matt Golinski, Mark Johnson and James Barnden create a five-course degustation journey.

Groundskeeper Willie Coffee Roasters | Liquid Gastronomy | 8-10 August | 11:30am – 1:00pm | $65 Liquid Gastronomy is designed to educate and inspire the senses by taking a journey from source to taste, where guests will learn how the flavour of coffee can be manipulated by the roasting process and the secret to unlocking the many delicate flavours within. After completing the roast, the gastronomy component of the sensory journey commences with a four-course seated coffee degustation.

Groundskeeper Willie Coffee Roasters | Liquid Gastronomy Uppers & Downers | 8-10 August | From 5pm or 7pm | $125 This evening coffee and tea workshop is designed to shake up your perception of coffee and tea, and includes a threecourse tasting of alcoholic beverages with a unique twist on the espresso martini, a cold brew tonic and a gin and tea cocktail. With a focus on flavour and quality ingredients, the team will demonstrate to guests how to think beyond the cocktail shaker using coffee, tea and seasonal produce.

Australian Cycling Academy | Food, Wine & Wheels | 8-11 August | All day | $2,500 Travellers seeking a health and wellness focused trip are invited on this four-day cycling experience, combining passion for cycling with great dining experiences at The Curated Plate festival. This bespoke itinerary is exclusively designed for only 10 people who appreciate the finest rewards for effort, attention to detail and prowess. The weekend will include cycling the majestic Sunshine Coast and hinterland, under the guidance and supervision of the professional Australian Cycling Academy (ACA) team.

The Ginger Factory | The Ginger Journey: From Farmer to your Plate | 9 & 16 August | 11:00am – 2:00pm | $145 Discover the story of the Australian ginger industry from third generation Ginger Farmer, Shane Templeton. Learn how ginger is harvested and processed at the world leading Buderim Ginger facility, and enjoy a two-course ginger-inspired lunch.

Flaxton Gardens | Dining Under The Stars | 10 August | 5:30pm | $160 Flaxton Gardens will host a Gala Banquet dining event for guests set on the Escarpment under the August stars. Expect sparkling wine and freshly shucked oysters and canapés on arrival, followed by a further three courses partnering with quality local producers, with the ingredients and produce explained by the chefs and producers.

Sunshine Castle | A Royal Feast of Opera | 10 August | 6:30pm – 10:30pm | $199 Welcomed in red carpet style by wandering medieval entertainers to the atmospheric Sunshine Castle after dark, guests will be treated to a magnificent feasting occasion to remember. The evening’s exclusively produced Opera concert by the Underground Opera Company will showcase some of the greatest Opera moments of all times accompanied by renowned musical theatre favourites. ‘Good 2 Eat’ will curate an opulent pasture to plate and locally sourced three-course feast fit for a King, with beverages served with a medieval twist.

People, Plates & Places | The Restaurant Without Walls | 10 August | 3:00pm | $225 Guests come to where the fresh, seasonal produce is grown locally – in the paddock. Guests can take their seat at the long table for comfy and classic dining and meet the makers and hear their stories while they showcase their produce. Six-courses with paired wines or featured craft-brewed beers and ciders.

People, Plates & Places | The Glasshouse Mountains | 18 August | From 12:00pm | $225 Guests can take their seat at the long table for comfy and classic dining – six courses with paired wines or featured craft brewed beers and ciders. Guests will be seated in the orchard and the menu will feature highly nutritious fruit from the farm and local Glass House Mountains produce, prepared by their Quintessential Chef.

The Pocket Espresso Bar | The Pocket Long Lunch | 11 August | 3:00pm – 8:00pm | $90 Celebrating all the things they love about their Sunshine Coast Pocket of paradise; family, fresh food, sun and surf, The Pocket Espresso will put on a Sunday afternoon roast at the ‘Pocket Family catch up’. At their new beachfront home, guests can indulge in a feast of exceptional locally farmed produce as they listen to a circle of music and watch the sunset over the garden.

Novotel Twin Waters | The Long Lagoon Lunch | 11 August | 11:00am – 3:00pm | $170 Guests will be treated to an extraordinary afternoon full of culinary delights and an elegantly crafted three-course menu paired with an exceptional three hour beverage service on the long table. Local Sunshine Coast producers will feature on the menu while guests are up close and personal with the Chefs as they highlight each element served during lunch.

Backlane Tapas and Wine Bar | Welcome Party | 8 August | 2:00pm – 6:00pm | $99 Enjoy the start of The Destination Series with a ‘Welcome Party’ at Backlane Tapas & Wine Bar. Guests will enjoy four hours of delicious canapes and drinks while being entertained by a live local musician.

Cellar Door On First | Local Coffee and Morning Tea Masterclass | 11 August | 10:00am – 1:00pm | $65 Join Cellar Door on First for a local coffee and morning tea masterclass. Guests will enjoy a three course morning tea with matching blends of local roasted coffee. What better way to understand what coffee is all about, what makes a great blend and how it matches with food.

Cellar Door On First | Local Farmers Champagne Breakfast | 9-10 August | From 9:00am | $189 Join Cellar Door on First as they host a Local Farmers Champagne Breakfast. Guests will enjoy a four course breakfast menu with matching Billecart-Salmon champagnes. Local ingredients will be showcased and you will get to chat with the local farmers throughout the morning – what a great way to start the day!

Cellar Door On First | Ocean to Hinterland Produce Dinner | 10 August | 6:30pm – 10:00pm | $205 Cellar Door on First presents the Ocean to Hinterland Produce Dinner. Enjoy a sumptuous seven course menu with matching wines from Flame Hill Winery. The journey will start at the ocean and travel all the way to the Sunshine Coast hinterland showcasing produce that the Sunshine Coast has to offer.

Cellar Door On First | Organic Vegetarian Degustation | 9 August | 6:30pm – 10:00pm | $169 Eat Fresh – Eat Organic – Eat Local. Cellar Door on First will showcase fresh local organic vegetables and matching organic wines through a seven-course organic vegetarian menu with matching organic wines. They’ll show that you don’t have to eat meat to enjoy great food and wine pairings.

Experience Eumundi | Eumundi Bush Tucker Journey + Feast | 9 August | 11:30am – 3:30pm | $55 Gubbi Gubbi Dance will perform a traditional song and dance ceremony with a traditional welcome to country and fire lighting. Share in a Culinary Native Feast to delight the senses as the Bush Tucker Chefs provide a three-course meal for guests to enjoy. After the meal, Lyndon Davis will take guests on a guided Bush Tucker tour through the Eumundi township. The tour will finish up at the Deadly Espresso Cafe where guests can enjoy local Bush Tucker cake and coffee / tea to finish off the experience.

Frank and Lotti | Brunch And Bubbles | 11 August | From 9:30am | $85 Set ‘under the trees’ across from Mooloolaba Main Beach is our little pop-up bar from Frank and Lotti. Start your day with a fresh squeezed mimosa and a canape brunch. Over the course of two hours the bubbly brunch will indulge your senses as their drinks specialist creates a bar of fun whilst live music and chilled vibes set the tone. This will be the best Sunday brunch you have had all year.

Frank and Lotti | The Long Winter Lunch – Earth and Sea | 10 August | From 11:30am | $145 For the very first time a close collaboration of local chefs will bring together what the region is famous for and showcase some of the unspoken talents of Mooloolaba. A three-course feast will showcase the locality of fresh ingredients from the earth and sea. The street will be closed off for a table that will span the Esplanade giving ocean views and an unforgettable experience. A clever wine matching will surprise and entice guests and new found loves will be created.

Maroochy RSL Events Centre | Feather to Sea Soiree | 16 August | 5:30pm – 9:30pm | $155 The Feather to Sea Soiree experience will begin in the beautiful foyer, where guests will enjoy a selection of exquisite duck and crab dishes created by Executive Chef Gareth Collins, paired with matching wines. This bespoke cocktail style event will allow guests to mingle while enjoying the tranquil sounds of an elegant string quartet. The evening will then progress through to the ballroom, where guests will be treated to a sit down show featuring “The Three Tenors”.

The Falls Farm | Seasonal Tastings: Winter | 11 August | 10:00am – 4:00pm | Adult $11 / Child $5.50 Spend a day at The Falls Farm wandering through the extensive market gardens, herb gardens, and orchards and then enjoy a ‘tasting’ of the freshest organic produce, followed by a Farmer’s Bento Box picnic lunch. Konpiramaru Wines, a Queensland based wine maker, will offer samples of their naturally fermented wines. Additionally, organic cold-pressed juices will be on offer, plus tea and coffee.

The Orangery Maleny | Traditional High Tea | 5-18 August | Various times | From $38 Guests can choose from one of 26 varieties of loose-leaf teas or coffee. With tables beautifully laid up with linen, vintage crockery and cutlery in a quintessentially English style set in a traditional Queenslander building.

The Sebel Pelican Waters | 8 August | 6:00pm – 10:00pm | $135 This exclusive degustation dinner is seven courses of locally sourced produce created by the Head Chef. Each course will be matched with premium wines and the winemaker will attend the dinner to host and discuss the wines and how they are matched with each course.

The Sunshine Coast Coffee Roasters Trail | 5-8 August | Various times | From $25 From Monday, 5 August to Sunday, 18 August, the Roasters will be providing a variety of master classes, demonstrations, and tours – all designed to enrich your understanding of the amazing and diverse specialty coffee industry on the Sunshine Coast.

QCamel x Hum Honey | Camels & Canapes | 10 August | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | $75 Join us for Camels & Canapes – brought to you by QCamel & Hum Honey. Enjoy a grazing table of camel milk, honey and local gourmet canapés within a unique farm experience overlooking a spectacular sunset on the Glasshouse Mountains. Guests can grab a selfie and a kiss from their gentle camels who love cuddles and affection.

The Sunshine Coast Lifestyle Experience | Coolum Beach Village Pass | 8-11 August | Various times | From $147 Coolum Beach, a short drive from Noosa and located close to all the action of The Curated Plate, has a local culture that truly captures the laid-back lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast. With the Coolum Beach Village Pass, guests will get to live like a “local” in between the events of The Curated Plate – including surf lessons, morning yoga, a complimentary game of bowls, a signature cocktail by the beach at Canteen Bar, a seafood Feast at Coolum Surf Club and more!

Rainbow Beach Horse Rides | Mount Goomboorian Riding & Dining Experience | 8 August | 8:30am – 4:00pm | From $275 Enjoy the style of countryside hospitality, and beloved horses in the beauty of the Gympie Region located approximately an hour north of the Sunshine Coast. Guests will have the option of riding to the top of Mt Goomboorian on horseback, or transport for guests can be arranged to the top of the mountain for those not riding. This family owned property is a pride with lush green ground and spectacular views, and will be cherished by many more generations.

Triballink | Songs and Stories of the People | 9 August | 6:30pm – 9:00pm | $88 This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in an authentic Aboriginal experience at the TribalLink Cultural Centre, Mapleton. Guests will be guided through the rainforest to an arena met by the glow of a campfire and candlelight. Once seated, the tasting plates of local and traditional bush tucker begin. Be enthralled by the live didgeridoo playing, traditional and contemporary dance pieces together with Dreamtime stories in the surrounds of the picturesque landscape.

Venue 114 | Women Leaders in Food and Agribusiness | 10 August | 11:00am – 9:00pm | $30 Join Venue 114 as they welcome a selection of the Sunshine Coast’s top industry leaders in an intimate debate discussing the latest trends and topics around food and agribusiness. Emma Greenhatch (GM of Food & Agribusiness Network), Sandra Gosling (Co-Founder of CoYo) and Cindy O’Meara (speaker and Founder of Changing Habits) will share their stories, philosophies and insights before joining guests for refreshments, meet and greets and book signings.

With more than 110 Sunshine Coast businesses currently involved in The Curated Plate, Mayor Mark Jamieson said the festival was a unique opportunity to showcase the region’s $700 million food and agribusiness industry. “Food experiences and events such as this help promote the premium quality of our regional produce as well as offering an outstanding visitor experience,” Mayor Jamieson said.

The Curated Plate – Culinary Festival is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, worth $800m to the state’s economy in 2019. Your perfect next event is in Queensland, where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.