An award-winning tour operator is set to go up against the best in the country and put the spotlight on the Sunshine Coast region and its food.
Creative Tours won the Gold Medal for Excellence in Food Tourism at the Queensland Tourism Awards in September, and will now vie for the Australia Tourism Awards in Sydney on March 17.
Owner Josh Donohoe said he was delighted to be in contention for the awards.
“We are so proud of our recent achievements and awards, and honoured to be representing the Sunshine Coast against some of the country’s best food tourism operators,” he said.
Creative Tours has delivered a range of paddock-to-plate experiences that have showcased local produce and local stories of the region during the past seven years.
This includes its Farm to Fork experiences, visiting local farmers and producers, with lunch including produce from farms visited on the day.
The business has plans to deliver more unique and authentic local food experiences on the Coast this year.
These experiences start with two collaboration tours in their restaurant series with Market Bistro and ALBA restaurants.
Both tours will visit local producers and suppliers to the restaurants, with that produce then featured in the specifically curated menu.
The ALBA event also includes a hands-on cooking class with Peter Kuruvita.
Creative Tours has also designed a Mary Valley Food Trail experience to showcase local producers as part of the GourMay event held over the month of May.
This tour visits Big Heart Bamboo, Kenilworth Dairies, Kandanga Farm, John Tidy Organics and the Wild Macadamia walk.
Also on the radar for Creative Tours is The Curated Plate, being held during two weeks in July and August, as it plans to roll out a Trawler to Table seafood experience in Mooloolaba, as well as a Farm to Fork experience in the Hinterland.
Mr Donohoe said the region was packed with great food and drink.
“We are incredibly lucky to have so many great farmers and producers in our region, and we are passionate about connecting those producers to locals and visitors on our tours,” he said.
“Guests get to taste fresh local produce, but also leave with a better understanding of where their food comes from and what is involved to produce it.
“This year we are focusing even more on showcasing our amazing local farmers, producers and restaurants who champion and support the local businesses in our region.”
For more information on how to book these experiences head to Creative Tours.
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