Wanted: Appetite, Thirst & Party Spirit at Noosa Eat & Drink
A gourmet escape like no other to feast, sip and party your way through three action-packed days of top-tier deliciousness from country to coast, promises to have even taste buds dancing, says Helen Flanagan.
Reach for the stars and mingle amongst the stars, with a true expression of Australia’s infamous love of food and wine at the acclaimed celebration, Noosa Eat & Drink Festival from 30 May to 2 June 2024.
Event organisers are still putting the toppings on the tasty smorgasbord of flavours, festivities and fun!
The festival began as a groundswell – is back by popular demand – and has grown to attract locals and visitors alike with in excess of 75 events plus the famed centrepiece of The Festival Village on Saturday and Sunday.
Expect a raft of Australian and international brands plus local brewers and distillers, celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, sommeliers, mixologists, producers, artisans, and opulent options leaving lips abuzz and jaws agape.
There will be ever-popular masterclasses; on-stage celebrity chef demonstrations showing off trademark flair and fluorescence; as well as late afternoon live entertainment.
An exclusive VIP Lounge experience promises continual catering, a diverse drinks menu, front row seats for the cooking demonstrations and some enticing surprises – still to be announced.
It will be toes-in-the sand for the Beach Events with irresistible Sundowners in the new-look Beach Garden on Noosa Main Beach on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, also the legendary Sunday Brunch and special VIP treatment, especially if you love a cabana.
As the sun sets on Friday night, glass of Chandon Garden Spritz in hand, get ready to mingle at the exclusive and always unforgettable Official Opening Party.
Indulge in a seemingly endless array of beverages, deluxe canapés created with ingredients from around the region, and dance it off with guest entertainers and DJs.
The endless summer of love on Noosa Main Beach concludes with an ultimate beach party, The Festival Sundowner. Sip on a bevy of fave drinks, brews such as Pacific Ale or Green Coast Lager by Stone & Wood, and standout tipples from Noosa’s own distillers.
Relish talented Ryan Fitzpatrick’s restaurant Lanai Noosa and his culinary wizardry, highlighting Mooloolaba prawns, Fraser Isle Spanner crab, Ora king salmon, Hiroshima kingfish, and let the guest DJs bring the vibes as the sun sets on another memorable Noosa Eat & Drink Festival.
Who’s Who? Faces and Places? The Festival’s long-term reputation and prestigious location attracts some of the country’s favourite culinary and wine aficionados, legends and emerging culinary talent to its door.
In 2018, Khanh Ong appeared on MasterChef, where he quickly became a crowd favourite and placed third in the competition. Renowned DJ and Melbourne personality, Khanh has a range of talents and a unique style that makes him stand out in any crowd. Not to mention, the man can cook.
Unleashing all manner of sweet brilliance before an eager crowd will be award winning celebrity pastry chef like no other, Anna Polyviou – the TV personality, author and sweet creator truly makes sweet dreams come true!
Returning to Noosa is chef, restaurateur, television personality George Calombaris who has returned to his Greek roots at The Hellenic House Project in Melbourne’s south. The highly respected former judge of MasterChef Australia will be joined by good friend and London-born Gary Mehigan, also a Melbourne-based restaurateur, obsessive traveller and author of several books – expect lashings of laughs!
Hayden Quinn is one of Australia’s best-loved TV personalities on shows such as Taste of Australia and Family Food Fight. He’s also a surfer, qualified lifeguard, a marine biologist and of course everyone’s favourite foodie with a recipe to suit every situation.
Matt Golinski, Noosa’s favourite culinary maestro, food festival star and IN Noosa Magazine writer, is a highly regarded professional chef who found fame on TV’s Ready Steady Cook and has an undeniable passion for creating food with the freshest local ingredients, including indigenous.
Also, a longtime star of the main stage of Noosa Food Festivals is the internationally renowned chef, restaurateur, television presenter, author and local Peter Kuruvita.
His long lunch with Martin Boetz, a name synonymous with Thai cuisine and owner of Brisbane’s Short Grain, sold out in 15 minutes!
Also, a sell-out was the Arcadia Walk Long Lunch, presented by Cloudy Bay wines with restaurants Coya offering contemporary Peruvian cuisine with a coastal twist; Theo’s Social Club, a neighbourhood-style wine bar and share-style menu; Pucca, a modern coastal Euro-Indian restaurant; Muse, a snazzy Euro cocktail and wine bar with share food; and Herbert which always exceeds expectations with its vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or flexitarian options.
Look out for some of the aforementioned in the festival program alongside all-time favourites Season and Miss Moneypenny’s, spice-tingling Mariella Mexicantina and Bandita Mexican, also Catalina for a first class dining experience afloat, also exceptional cocktails and snacks at Seabourne Distillery.
Locale’s Rio and Amanda Capurso are eccitato for good reason with events such as an amazing lunch and a gala dinner helmed by their talented Chris Hagan in the planning stages and soon to be announced.
Event organisers are feverishly sifting through the various options and opportunities for homegrown events in many of Noosa’s favourite venues as well as locking in guest chefs, growers and producers for what is shaping up to be a delicious and decadent celebration.
Eat, love, devour, learn, laugh, and cry with delight at extraordinary events in magical places during the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival. That’s Amore!
And there is much more to come! Subscribe to receive the latest information and for first-release tickets.
NOOSA EAT & DRINK FESTIVAL 2024
Thursday 30 May to Sunday 2 June 2024
Where: Festival Village, Noosa Woods end of Hastings Street, Noosa Main Beach plus numerous restaurants and venues
Free Buses: include Go Noosa Park & Ride
Enquiries: info@noosaeatdrink.com.au
Note: Unless otherwise stated, book direct for restaurants and venue events
Keep up to date: including new event announcements, bookings for general admission, VIP Lounge & Beach Events: www.noosaeatdrink.com.au
