Visitors to the Sunshine Coast will be able to taste cuisine from across the globe at The Curated Plate Food and Drink Festival. This unique culinary experience will bring together Spanish tapas and flamenco dancers, a French style winery feast and bush tucker canapes on a restored boat.
Food lovers have a chance to snap up limited early release tickets to the event which is held over 10 days at the Sunshine Coast from July 25 to August 3, 2025, allowing the chance to plan weekend getaways, and for locals lock in events.
Other special experiences at the festival include coffee plantation tours, a Japanese tuna-cutting show, a fire-cooked feast and pottery glazing class.
The Culinary Plate Culinary Director and renowned chef Peter Kuruvita said the festival was on track to deliver more than 60 incredible events as part of this year’s program with more events to be announced next month.
“With 35 events releasing tickets today, locals and visitors have the chance to lock in something to look forward to this winter,” Mr Kuruvita said.
“Foodies will get a sense of the range of cuisines and events on offer this year – stretching right along the Coast and throughout the Hinterland.
“From European favourites like French and Greek, to Asian and American flavours, each event celebrates something distinct. What unites them all is the focus on local Sunshine Coast ingredients.”
Each participating venue and chef is required to develop a menu that features as much local produce as possible such as meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit sourced directly from the Sunshine Coast, and a drinks menu to shine a light on regional brews and craft-distilled spirits.
Sunshine Coast Council Economy Portfolio Councillor Joe Natoli said the early ticket release offered a taste of the exciting experiences that awaited this winter.
“We invite locals and visitors to explore the fantastic culinary offering we have here on the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Natoli said.
“Participation enriches our vibrant community and strengthens our food, agriculture, hospitality and tourism sectors.
“Renowned for our spirit of collaboration and innovation, this year’s food and drink festival showcases the very best of what our region has to offer.”
Also included in the early release are tickets to a native-inspired five-course degustation, a vibrant producer twilight market, a French-style winery feast, and a long lunch set in an orchard.
Tickets are also now available for the highly anticipated Grape vs Grain pairing dinner which sold out in 2024, and Saltwater Eco Tours’ experience onboard a restored boat with bush tucker themed canapes.
Families are expected to snap up tickets to Picnic on Kings – a family-friendly event featuring Australia’s favourite Blue Heeler characters Bluey and Bingo. The event is free to enter and costs $10 per person for the stage show.
The hotly anticipated Asian Food Festival at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny has also released tickets for both days of their usually sold-out event.
For tickets visit: https://thecuratedplate.com.au
This Curated Plate Food and Drink Festival is an initiative of the Sunshine Coast Council, supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism & Events Queensland, the Food and Agribusiness Network and Visit Sunshine Coast.
Limited tickets are now available for:
Farm to Fork featuring Peter Kuruvita
Venue: Yandina Station, Yandina
Date: Friday, July 25
Timing: Lunch
Embark on a vibrant culinary journey with Chef Peter Kuruvita, featuring fresh local produce, live cooking, tastings, and a delicious banquet lunch – topped off with an unforgettable scenic hot air balloon ride to complete your gourmet adventure.
Bushtucker by the River
Venue: Departing from Saltwater Eco Tours, Mooloolaba Wharf
Dates: July 25, July 27, July 29, July 30, July 31, August 1, August 2
Timing: Lunch
Set sail on a culinary voyage with Saltwater Eco Tours at The Curated Plate. Enjoy a multi-course menu celebrating local seafood, native ingredients, and foraged bush tucker – paired with cocktails crafted from Australian botanicals and local spirits for a truly refined, immersive, and sustainable dining experience on the water.
Dacelo’s Degustation
Venue: Dacelo Distilling, Coolum Beach
Dates: July 25, July 26, August 1, August 2
Timing: Dinner
Join Dacelo Distilling for a native-inspired five-course degustation paired with handcrafted spirits. Chef Clint Ball’s bold, flavour-forward menu highlights local botanicals and culinary creativity, in an intimate cellar-door setting. It’s an immersive dining experience that captures the spirit of the Sunshine Coast.
Grape vs Grain
Venue: Fish on Parkyn, Mooloolaba
Date: Friday, July 25
Timing: Lunch
Celebrate the craft of local producers in this one-of-a-kind culinary face-off between wine and beer. With Chef Oki-san leading the charge, each dish is expertly paired and plated to let both the grape and the grain shine. It’s a taste-driven exploration of Sunshine Coast terroir and talent.
Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry Twilight Market
Venue: The Station, Birtinya
Date: Friday, July 25
Timing: 4pm to 8pm
This producer-led twilight market invites the public to meet, sample and shop from some of the Sunshine Coast’s best food artisans. Discover fresh ingredients, gourmet creations and local stories that make up the vibrant fabric of the region’s food scene.
The Chef’s Table with Maleny Buffalo
Venue: Banana Bender Pub
Dates: Friday, July 25 and Friday, August 1
Timing: Dinner
Experience pasture-raised buffalo like never before at Mango’s Bar and Grill. Executive Chef Robert presents a five-course degustation in partnership with Maleny Buffalo, showcasing dishes like smoked buffalo tartare and Wagyu shank sinigang, complete with a premium drinks package.
The Next Wave: Flavours of the Coast
Venues and dates: Cotton Tree Beach Bar – Friday, July 25; Coolum Beach Bar – Saturday, July 27; Kings Beach Bar – Saturday, August 2
Timing: Dinner
This culinary roadshow hits three of the coast’s hottest beach bars, with a 7-course degustation and wine pairing. Celebrate regional produce and coastal flair, kicking off with a sunset spritz and rolling into an unforgettable evening of beachside indulgence.
A Journey to Italy – Chef’s Hat 7 Step Tasting Menu
Venue: Bella Venezia
Date: Saturday, July 26
Timing: Lunch
Take your palate on a luxurious journey through the heart of Italy at Bella Venezia. This exclusive seven-step tasting menu features refined, contemporary Italian cuisine crafted from locally sourced produce. With each course meticulously curated by a Chef’s Hat-awarded team, this is a lunch event that promises elegance, flavour, and a touch of la dolce vita.
Glasshouse Plantation Coffee Tour and Tasting Experience
Venue: Glasshouse Plantation Coffee, Glass House Mountains
Dates: July 26, July 27, August 2, August 3
Timing: Morning
Take a behind-the-scenes look at Australia’s emerging coffee industry at Glasshouse Plantation. Wander among 5,000 Arabica trees, taste freshly roasted beans, and enjoy a hearty lunch in a historic farmhouse café. It’s a full-sensory dive into the paddock-to-cup process – with local goodies like Hive Haven honey and Pineapple Link treats to sample along the way.
Celebrate Glasshouse Country Long Lunch
Venue: Yanalla Farm, Beerwah
Date: Saturday, July 26
Timing: Lunch
Surrounded by lychee orchards and mountain views, guests will enjoy a paddock-to-plate experience that celebrates Glasshouse Country’s rich farming heritage. Local chefs and producers collaborate on a long-table feast that tells the story of the land, the seasons, and the people who bring it to life.
Glaze and Graze with Providore Privee
Venue: Pottery Studio Brookes Street in Nambour
Date: Saturday, July 26
Timing: Two sessions: 12 – 3pm and 5pm – 3pm
Unleash your inner artisan at this fire-cooked feast and pottery-glazing workshop. The experience blends hands-on creativity with a four-course feast highlighting seasonal Sunshine Coast produce. BYO your favourite bottle for a rustic yet refined afternoon or evening.
Passage to Plate
Venue: Chill Cafe 89, Golden Beach
Dates: Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, August 3
Timing: Dinner
An explosion of colour and flavour awaits at Chill Cafe 89, where tapas and canapés crafted from local ingredients steal the show. Share stories, bites, and bubbly at this lively evening event that spotlights the region’s culinary brilliance.
Picnic on Kings featuring Bluey
Venue: Kings Beach Amphitheatre
Date: Saturday, July 26
Timing: 10am–4:30pm
Bring your little foodies for a family-friendly celebration featuring kids’ cooking fun, Bluey performances, food trucks, and interactive veggie planting workshops. It’s a wholesome day of fun and learning by the sea.
SOKA’s Tuna Cutting Show
Venue: SOKA, Maroochydore
Date: Saturday, July 26
Timing: Lunch
Join SOKA’s Head Chef Kenji for a masterclass in Japanese seafood artistry. This event features the traditional tuna-cutting technique on a 35kg whole tuna sourced from Walker Seafoods, Australia’s only MSC-certified tuna supplier. After the demonstration, guests will enjoy an exclusive tasting menu of premium tuna dishes.
Hinterland Producers Lunch
Venue: Spicers Clovelly Retreat, Montville
Date: Sunday, July 27
Timing: Lunch
The Hinterland Producers Lunch returns this month as part of The Curated Plate, showcasing the Sunshine Coast’s finest local produce. Head Chef Geoff Abel presents a one-off Provencal-inspired menu featuring ingredients from The Falls Farm, Maleny Buffalo, Maleny Dairies, and Peachester Fresh in a celebration of Hinterland flavour.
Feast at Alsahwa Estate
Venue: Alsahwa Estate, Palmwoods
Date: Sunday, July 27
Timing: Lunch
Join Alsahwa Estate for Feast: Seed to Plate – a shared three-course harvest lunch celebrating seasonal produce, garden tours, and botanical cocktails in a stunning hinterland setting.
Humble X Spill Wine X Ngeringa Wine
Venue: Spill Wine, Maleny
Date: Sunday, July 27
Timing: Two sessions: 1pm -3.30pm and 3.30pm – 6pm
An intimate afternoon of fine wine and delicious bites awaits as Humble joins forces with Spill Wine and biodynamic wine producer Ngeringa. Guests will enjoy expertly poured favourites, locally sourced snacks, and a relaxed atmosphere among Maleny’s picturesque hills.
Ooh la la Flame Hill
Venue: Flame Hill Winery, Montville
Date: Sunday, July 27
Timing: Lunch
A French-inspired feast crafted by a French chef duo takes over Flame Hill Winery for a culinary experience infused with heritage and flavour. Expect authentic dishes, local ingredients, and vineyard views for an elegant midday affair.
Sunshine Coast Meets Spain
Venue: Toro Bar and Kitchen, Maroochydore
Date: Sunday, July 27
Timing: Lunch
Dive into the vibrant world of Spanish cuisine with this ten-course share-style lunch. With flamenco dancers, cocktails made from Sunshine Coast spirits, and a menu that blends local produce with Iberian flair, Toro Bar & Kitchen delivers a fiesta to remember.
Sea Banquet
Venue: Lyra Restaurant, Maroochydore
Date: Sunday, July 27
Timing: Lunch
Experience the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean as Lyra partners with Kooringal Oysters to present a seafood and seasonal produce celebration. Savour the finest locally harvested oysters from the pristine Sunshine Coast waters, expertly paired with hinterland-grown zucchini flowers, live music and a 9-course menu guided by Head Chef Alex.
Closed Loop Garden to Plate Lunch
Venue: Homegrown Café, Palmwoods
Date: Monday, July 28
Timing: Lunch
Tour the garden, harvest produce, and enjoy a shared long-table feast in the lush backyard of Homegrown Café. This unique closed-loop lunch event champions zero-waste cooking, community connection, and Sunshine Coast-grown ingredients.
Notes on Winter – Next Gen Dinner
Venue: Mapleton Public House, Mapleton
Date: Tuesday, July 29
Timing: Dinner
Emerging chefs bring their creativity to the table in this seasonal dinner challenge. Each is assigned a single winter vegetable and tasked with designing a dish where protein is minimal. The result: a regenerative and revolutionary exploration of winter produce.
Surf & Savour – Coastal Tasting Experience
Venue: Alex Surf Club, Alexandra Headland
Date: Wednesday, July 30
Timing: Dinner
Celebrate coastal cuisine with a five-course tasting experience that showcases the best of the sea and the Sunshine Coast’s farm-fresh bounty. Each plate is a testament to vibrant flavours and stunning local ingredients, all enjoyed overlooking the ocean.
Sensploration – The Ultimate Coffee Experience
Venue: Montville Coffee
Date: Thursday, July 31
Timing: 9.30–11.00am
Explore the emotional and sensory journey behind every cup of coffee in this immersive guided tasting experience. From brewing techniques to vessels and aromas, you’ll discover how subconscious factors shape your daily ritual.
Pier 33’s Seaside Seafood Soirée
Venue: Pier 33, Mooloolaba
Date: Friday, Aug 1
Timing: Lunch
Dine by the Mooloolaba Marina with a five-course menu that champions local seafood and premium produce. From Mooloolaba prawns to Sunshine tuna tartare and grilled barramundi, this waterside lunch is all about refined coastal indulgence.
High Cheese à la Swiss
Venue: Maleny Cheese, Maleny
Dates: Friday, 1 August and Saturday, 2 August
Timing: 3 – 5pm
Swiss Master Cheesemaker Markus Bucher invites guests to a cheese celebration like no other. Sample local and imported varieties, enjoy raclette over potatoes, and sip on sparkling wine in a warm and authentic alpine setting.
Beers, Boots & Bulls at Your Mates
Venue: Your Mates
Dates: Friday, 1 August and Saturday, 2 August
Timing: Dinner
A country-style dinner party full of smoked meats, cold brews, and mechanical bull action. This two-night hoedown is all about fun, flavour and cowboy energy — perfect for your wild mates’ night out.
Matso’s Food Market
Venue: Matso’s, Eumundi
Date: Friday, August 1
Timing: 5-9pm
Celebrate The Curated Plate at Matso’s Sunshine Coast Asian Night Food Market – an easygoing evening of street eats, drinks, and family fun in Eumundi.
The Falls Farm Open Day
Venue: Falls Farm, Mapleton
Date: Saturday, August 2
Timing: 10am–3pm
Stroll through the gardens, taste seasonal produce, and meet the passionate growers behind The Falls Farm. With picnic spots, tours, and fresh tastings, this open day offers a relaxed and informative celebration of regenerative farming and seasonal eating.
Hibachi Grill Experience
Venue: SOKA, Maroochydore
Date: Saturday, August 2
Timing: Lunch
SOKA’s award-winning kitchen team joins forces with Sunshine Coast Organic Meats to serve a smoky, flame-grilled Kushiyaki experience. Think skewered perfection, innovative flavours, and an unforgettable lunch crafted from Australia’s finest organic meat.
Bush to Coast: A Curated Long Lunch
Venue: Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, Twin Waters
Date: Saturday, August 2
Timing: Lunch
A waterfront long-table event that journeys from hinterland to sea, this indulgent lunch pairs scenic views with a regional menu curated by top chefs. Enjoy local produce, premium beverages and relaxed elegance along the lagoon shore.
Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival
Venue: Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny
Dates: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3
Timing: 12–5pm
Spicers Tamarind Retreat hosts a feast of flavours across two days, with the region’s best Asian chefs uniting for tastings, stalls, live cooking and cultural entertainment in a lush rainforest setting.
Earth Banquet
Venue: Lyra Restaurant, Maroochydore
Date: Sunday, August 3
Timing: Lunch
Head Chef Alex presents a modern Greek feast featuring mezze, slow-cooked meat, local vegetables and a show-stopping dessert. Highlights include smoked quail with orzo, beef cheek with skordalia, and “Chocolate Forest” – a creative end to a masterful menu.
Picnic on the Green at The Doonan
Venue: The Doonan
Date: Sunday, August 3
Timing: Lunch
A Spanish-style picnic under the trees featuring regional drinks and Spanish wines. Relax with friends over local produce, coastal cocktails and Sunshine & Sons spirits, all set to laid-back live music.
The Winning Plate: A Curated Raceday Experience
Venue: Sunshine Coast Turf Club
Date: Sunday, August 3
Timing: Lunch
Combining horse racing and haute cuisine, The Winning Plate is a celebration of sport and gastronomy. Held in The Atrium with trackside views, it’s a highlight of both The Curated Plate and SCTC’s 40th anniversary festivities.
Sunshine Chamber Music Festival Presents The Long Table Lunch
Venue: Maleny
Date: Sunday, August 3
Timing: Lunch
Feast on flavour and music at the Long Table Lunch, where chef Michael Hehir’s regional cuisine meets the soulful sounds of Melissa Western & The Moxie Crew. Set in Maleny, enjoy jazz, swing, and blues in an unforgettable three-hour celebration of food, music, and old-school charm.
