Pantry doors are open for The Curated Plate

The Curated Plate is a delicious celebration of the Sunshine Coast’s local producers, restaurants, experiences and chefs, and unique natural assets from the sea to the hinterland. 

The festival program is developed through collaboration between local businesses who come together to tell their stories not only through food but unique events.

Industry partners are now invited to put forward event concepts for the 10-day food and drink festival to be held from July 26 to August 4 this year.

If you are a chef, venue manager, local producer or tourism operator that can offer a food related experience incorporating local product please visit the TCP Partners page for more information and to apply.

Applications close 5pm, February 29, 2024.

Apply now

Some of the amazing events in 2023 included the Asian Food Festival at Spicers Tamarind, Glasshouse Long Lunch at Yanalla Farm with Sunshine Coast Foodie, Trawler to Table by Creative Tours, Saltwater Eco Tour’s Bush Tucker by the River and Italy vs France hosted in Montville at The Long Apron.

Sunshine Coast Council Head of Economic Development Chris Le Serve said Council was continuing to support The Curated Plate with a view to it becoming recognised as ‘Queensland’s Premier Food Festival’ and to continue to attract out of region visitors to the Sunshine Coast in an off-peak tourism period.

“Working with our local food and agri-tourism industries, this signature event forms a central pillar of our Major Events Strategy and showcases the region’s fantastic culinary offering and promote the Sunshine Coast as an attractive destination to visit,” Mr Le Serve said.

Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) CEO Nicole McNaughton said the Sunshine Coast’s unique geographic location within a UNESCO Biosphere corridor combined with a visitor’s appetite for food tourism, created a recipe for success.

“The Sunshine Coast is home to a truly diverse range of makers, growers, producers, distillers, brewers and supporters – who are all passionate about their produce, products and region,” said Nicole McNaughton. 

“With more than 900 food producers and makers calling the Sunshine Coast home, we call it Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry.

“We know visitors travel with their stomachs, so The Curated Plate is a fantastic opportunity to open the doors to our pantry to visitors and locals alike.

“By offering some unique experiences, signature events and a far and wide invitation to sample our restaurants and venues, it will showcase the quality and abundance of our food and drink products, as well as our producers and chefs, and our destination.”

How the event is growing into a local icon

General Manager Spicers Tamarind Retreat Ryan Dillon said The Curated Plate was growing into an iconic event for the Sunshine Coast.

“It provides us the opportunity to connect with an extraordinary array of amazing local producers, innovative drink creators, inspired foodie talents, gifted artists.,” Mr Dillon said.

“As part of The Curated Plate, a community of culinary lovers travel from across the country to join us in the Maleny region’s stunning natural environment, for our signature Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival event.”

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