Daggy dogs still best in show food
FORGET chai lattes and acai bowls, carnival food will monopolise the menu when the Gold Coast Show bumps into its new sister sites in Southport this weekend.
Show organisers have steered away from hipster-style fare at the show’s new venues at Owen Park and Broadwater Parklands to lessen the event’s impact on local traders.
Gold Coast Show CEO Lavinia Rampino said the move – and the show’s arrival in Southport with free entry for all – had been well received by businesses in the area.
“It was a deliberate decision we took to focus on the show food so local restaurants and cafes can leverage off our event,” she said.
“People can go and have a restaurant meal and come back for a band or to see the fireworks. We’ve incorporated the Chinatown markets into our program and Swanees and Mr P.P.’s are doing stuff with us over the three nights.
“We hope people come in and get off the tram in Nerang St and go to the show or maybe try a restaurant and stay on to watch the fireworks.”
Members of the Showmen’s Guild of Australasia – a notfor-profit organisation that represents members of the mobile community who own and operate show attractions, food stalls and rides – will operate 70 attractions at the Gold Coast event’s Broadwater Parklands site alone.
Guild president Luke Hennessy said when it came to show food, crowds around Australia had the same taste.
“Dagwood dogs, waffles filled with mock cream and fairy floss are the big three. You can’t get a proper dag- wood dog anywhere else like you can at the show,” he said.
“These people have perfected their traditional family recipes for daggy dogs over years – some of them over generations. Everyone has their own little twist on the recipe so it’s very competitive.”
Mr Hennessy said guild members were excited to bump in to Parklands.
“I started setting up my dodgem cars – we were the first trailer on site – and from that point to now, it’s completely transformed,” he said.
“I couldn’t have imagined it would look so exciting. Everyone is hugely positive about the new venue. I can’t wait for Friday morning to see all the families down here.
“It’s exciting to see the attractions in different locations so close to the water and public transport. It’s going to look amazing at night when Sideshow Alley is lit up and the view from the top of the ferris wheel will be breathtaking.
“All I can think of is the positives – we hope it will be well supported.”