EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY
THE cork has popped on a long weekend feast as the city plates up for the second annual Gold Coast Food & Wine Festival from today.
This year’s festival program boasts 36 events from Beenleigh to Coolangatta and Mount Tamborine as more than 170 stakeholders get cooking to transform the Coast into a foodies’ paradise.
Locals and visitors can join a range of free and five-star events, from organic fruit picking in the Currumbin Valley to a food truck and boutique beer feast in Burleigh, degustation menus, a BBQ cook-off and a picnic in the park in Surfers Paradise.
Festival director Michelle Christoe said this year’s program, officially launched at the QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise last night, represents the culinary change happening on the Coast.
“There are 35 events taking place across the weekend, all encapsulating the unique culinary landscape of the Gold Coast – from crab catching to seven-course degustations,” she said. “The diversity of food experiences have certainly made programming the festival exciting.”
While many events have already sold out, there’s still plenty to whet the appetite.
Highlights today include a 7 Course Degustation at Sirromet Winery, an oyster shucking masterclass at Yeah The Boysters, gin and rum tasting at Husk Distillers and a ‘One Pan’ cooking demo by OzHarvest.
Tomorrow’s program includes a wine and dining degustation at Balthazar, distillery tastings on Tamborine Mountain, a barbecue masterclass and a panel discussion on ‘Redefining Food on the Gold Coast’.
Sunday events include a creekside picnic at O’Reilly’s Vineyard and a Picnic in the Park on the waterfront in Lionel Perry Park, Surfers Paradise, where diners order fare from local restaurants, delivered by UberEats, while they enjoy live music, wine and family activities.
Destination Gold Coast executive director of corporate affairs and strategy Dean Gould said food and wine was a key driver of visitors.
He said a Tourism Australia ‘consumer demand’ research study showed 38 per cent of people rate “good food, wine, local cuisine and produce” as an important factor for destination choice.
See the full program at gcfoodandwine.com.au