5 OF THE BEST FOOD FESTIVAL
With the Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival launching tomorrow, locals can let their tastebuds play tourist at a string of special events. Get a new perspective on surf and turf at these highlights,
GOLD COAST BEER FESTIVAL SATURDAY
NIGHTQUARTER, 1 TOWN CENTRE DRIVE, HELENSVALE
Workshops, demonstrations, tastings and competitions will transform NightQuarter’s The Paddock into a playground for beer buffs. The inaugural Gold Coast Beer Festival is an expostyle event pairing the ale attraction with barbecue, food trucks, street food, carnival rides and live music. The action kicks off at midday, with guests given a guide and tasting notes on arrival. Sampling is the name of the game, with more than 100 brews to browse. Buy drink tickets to personalise your tasting paddle, with five 150ml tasters for $10 and 12 for $20. The line-up includes Stone & Wood, New Zealand’s Panhead and Eumundi Brewery, but we’ll be making a beeline for our hometown brewers Lost Palms Brewing Company (try their amber ale) and Burleigh outfit Black Hops. There’s a $3 entry fee to NightQuarter.
BUBBLES AND BRIE FRIDAY NIGHTQUARTER, HELENSVALE
In what has to be the best offer you’re going to get for a Friday night, NightQuarter will set the scene for all your fromage fantasies. Grab a group of friends and work your way around Cheese Therapy’s four cheese stations of local and international offerings. Evaluate your favourites with a glass of boutique bubbles (or wine) in hand. Stock your fridge with goodies from the pop-up shop to keep the dream alive.
Tickets are $69 and bookings are essential. Go to gcfoodandwine.com.au/blessed-arethe-cheese/
SEAFOOD SPREE ALL WEEKEND BIRDS BAY OYSTER FARM
If you love seafood, go straight to the source for a crab and oyster adventure on the tranquil Tweed waterways. Spend the day pumping for yabbies, feeding the wild pelicans, fishing and catching mud crabs. Get an insight into how oysters are grown, harvested, shucked and prepared with a visit to Birds Bay Oyster Farm, where you can also snap up some salty souvenirs. The trip finishes in a lakeside restaurant where the mud crabs caught earlier are cooked and served.
Tickets are $55. Call 5599 9972 to make a booking.
HIGH COFFEE SATURDAY
THE FIREPLACE, INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE
In a twist on tradition, caffeine connoisseurs can trade the tea for smooth single origin blends at high coffee. Savour the rustic romance of The Fireplace while the resident barista finds your perfect Vittoria Coffee match. Nibble on dainty sandwiches, savouries, scones and infused sweets. While the exact menu will be a sweet surprise, expect goodies such as Woombye vintage cheddar scones with tomato relish and chive cream, and chocolate and raspberry tarts with rose fairy floss.
Tickets are $35. Call 5530 1234.
CREEKSIDE PICNIC SUNDAY
O’REILLY’S CANUNGRA VALLEY VINEYARDS
Plan a Sunday drive to the hinterland, spread your picnic blanket where the platypus play and let the O’Reilly’s team handle the hamper. Choose a spot on the banks of Canungra Creek and graze on the spread of cold meats and salads, antipasto vegetables, cheese, dips and dessert. It includes a bottle of O’Reilly’s Reserve Range wine (white or red) and you can make your selection during a free wine tasting inside the homestead. The vineyard is around a 45-minute drive from Surfers Paradise.
The cost is $90 for two, bookings are essential.