A unique culinary festival that puts the wonders of the Sunshine Coast on a platter has been recognised on the national stage.
The Curated Plate, which blends top-quality regional produce with leading chefs and restaurants and magnificent natural surrounds, was a winner at the 2024 Australian Event Awards held in Sydney.
The food and drink showcase, held each winter, was the winner in the Best Small Regional Event category.
Announcing the win, the Australian Event Awards commented: “A celebration of the Sunshine Coast’s local producers, chefs and food-based experiences, the Sunshine Coast Council’s festival took place on farms, under the stars, on boats, beside mountains, at distilleries and in acclaimed restaurants, attracting 9000 attendees to 116 events.”
“This food event was imaginative and quirky, and is an example of industry excellence.”
Sunshine Coast Council officer Lucy Ravenwood accepted the award.
Former Sunshine Coast Events Board deputy chair Brenda La Porte received a lifetime achievement award for her services to the events industry.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli praised the hard-working and talented producers, chefs, industry and tourism representatives and sponsors, who worked together to make the Curated Plate a success story.
“My thanks go to council’s Tourism and Major Events team for their hard work and commitment,” she said.
“The nomination acknowledged the event’s achievements, particularly around providing education on sustainable practices for restaurants and venues, showcasing more than 400 local businesses and producers across the festival and continuing to help establish the Sunshine Coast as a food and agritourism destination.
“The event created a strong alliance with the Sunshine Coast’s local industry association – the Food and Agribusiness Network, destination marketing organisation Visit Sunshine Coast and state government Tourism and Events Queensland.
“This has ensured the industry’s best interests and aspirations are at the heart of the Curated Plate, while strategically promoting the Sunshine Coast across Australia and internationally.
“Another important element to delivering a successful festival, was building the capacity of local venues and producers to stage high-quality events while showcasing local produce and unique locations across the Sunshine Coast.”
The program of curated events takes place in a variety of settings – on a farm, under the stars, by the seaside, next to a majestic mountain, on a boat, in a distillery as well as at some of the Sunshine Coast’s most well-known, well-loved and award-winning restaurants.
The Curated Plate returns from July 25 to August 3 next year.
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