Your guide to food and drink festivals on the Sunshine Coast

The marquees go up, the aromatic scent of spices fills the air and celebrity chefs descend on our sunny shores to seek new culinary inspiration from our range of award-winning local produce. Here on the Sunshine Coast we skip the snow during our winter months and instead welcome the arrival of our acclaimed food festivals. It’s time to whet your appetite!

The composite plate

When: July 26 to August 4

Saltwater Eco Tours, the composite plate. Photo credit: Tourism & Events Queensland

After a sold out year in 2023, The composite plate returns on July 26 for 10 glorious days of food and drink experiences Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry. Taste the best of our local ingredients as you make your way from our sparkling coastline to the manicured gardens of our Hinterland hills.

While The Curated Plate’s three mouth-watering events may take the spotlight, you’ll also want to keep an eye on its impeccable lineup of smaller boutique dining options. This list includes the Smoke & Charcoal BBQ Under the Stars event: a must-do if you want to combine dining with nature. Presented by Warrior Restaurant and Bar in the scenic Ironbark Paddock, this BBQ cocktail evening includes a cooking demonstration by Karl Wulf and Peter Kuruvita, a Gubbi Gubbi smoking ceremony, live music to set the scene and more.

Yanalla Farms, the composite plate. Photo credit: Tourism & Events Queensland

Other events to attend this year include local cocktails and delicacies among the lychee orchards Yanalla Farms‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Dinner on the Deck at Harry is on Buderim (shining a spotlight on Australian bush food flavours) and an Italian-themed 7-step tasting menu at the iconic Mooloolaba institution, Bella Venezia.

However, we don’t want to reveal all the surprises, so be sure to check out the full range here.

Noosa food and drink festival

When: May 30 to June 2

Noosa Food and Drink Festival

One of the first things you notice when you start the program Noosa food and drink festival is the tasteful selection of events, designed to cater to a range of preferences. Spread across a vibrant Festival Village, award-winning restaurants and the beach itself, this year’s festival features a standout line-up of celebrity chefs ready to showcase their talents on the main stage and in the kitchen.

Familiar names you might recognize include Khanh Ong, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, while dessert kings Adriano Zumbo and Anna Polyviou are on hand to prepare some sweet treats. Join us for the culinary entertainment on the Main Stage, with standout features such as a celebrity chef cooking competition, local craft beers and a producer’s market, or book your spot at one of the other 75+ events offered over four days. Highlights include the Zibros Sicilian long lunch, Laneway Eats at the Noosa Junction and a botanical lunch at Bush Tucker.

discover more here.

GourMay Mary Valley

When: May 1 to June 1

Festival day, GourMay Mary Valley

If you haven’t already gotten in the car and explored the area Maria Valley, why not do that during their month-long food festival? Eat and drink in this beautiful rural destination this autumn GourMay Mary Valley. This event runs (you guessed it) throughout the month of May and is a vibrant showcase of local makers and their products. Expect a strong sense of community here, with plenty of experiences around shared dining and family fun.

Make sure you come along for Festival Day, which is packed with cooking demonstrations and competitions, or reserve your place at the many satellite events across the region. Whether you fancy a seven-course tasting dinner celebrating local ingredients, strolling through the lush surroundings of the Amamoor State Forest on a macadamia walk, or kicking back for a movie screening with plenty of delicious food from Slow Food Noosa, you During this year’s GourMay you will experience the very best of Mary Valley hospitality.