A renowned annual Sunshine Coast food event is set to return with a refreshed format.
The Asian Food Festival will be held at Spicers Tamarind Retreat as part of the 10-day Curated Plate festival that showcases the region’s produce, producers and chefs.
Set among the rainforest gardens of the Maleny venue, the event will this year invite guests to explore the property on a guided food journey through Asian flavours, live cooking and entertainment.
The festival will be delivered as a single Saturday event on August 1, creating an immersive afternoon experience, where guests can wander the Tamarind gardens with a map in hand, discovering dishes, drinks and chefs along the way.
The event will bring together leading Sunshine Coast chefs and restaurants, for an afternoon of food and entertainment.
Honeysuckle Buderim will join the festival for the first time, while returning chef Dan Jarrett will showcase dishes from his new Maleny restaurant, Pocky. Guests will also experience the culinary direction of Spicers Tamarind’s new head chef Alex Hall, working alongside guest chefs to create a broader tasting experience across the event.
Spirit House will be returning with head chef Tom Hitchcock and local favourite Rice Boi will also return with head chef James Fraser, promising to bring more bold flavours to the table.
To add greater variety to the menu, each participating restaurant will centre their dishes around different meats, seafood and vegetables, resulting in a wider selection of dishes for guests to discover as they move through the event.
The Curated Plate culinary director, chef Peter Kuruvita, said the refreshed format would allow guests to experience both the food and the setting in a new way.
“This event has become a highlight of the festival because it celebrates the incredible Asian flavours that are part of the Sunshine Coast dining scene,” said Kuruvita.
“By turning it into more of a culinary journey throughout the last Saturday of the festival, people can meet the chefs, taste a range of dishes and really immerse themselves in the experience.”
Alongside the food offering, drinks will once again play a central role in the festival atmosphere.
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Hinterland distillery Twelve and a Half Acres will serve G&Ts on the lawn, showcasing spirits made just down the road in the quaint village of Montville.
The popular champagne bar will also return, offering guests the chance to pair bubbles with their food selections, while oysters will still be available to purchase for those looking to indulge.
The Tamarind head chef Alex Hall said the new format allowed the event to evolve while maintaining the relaxed atmosphere guests love.
“The Asian Food Festival has become a much-loved event for locals and visitors, and this year we wanted to refresh the experience while keeping the spirit of the event intact,” said Hall.
“Encouraging guests to explore the retreat and its gardens creates a more immersive afternoon, where the food, the chefs and the setting all come together.”
The Curated Plate is delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council, Visit Sunshine Coast, and Tourism and Events Queensland, alongside industry and community collaborators.
