First look: Every delicious thing we ate at Sunshine Coast food fest

A taste of what’s in store when The Curated Plate rolls into Queensland’s coast this July. 

Merging beaches with bushland and sunny days with rainfall, the Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s most sublime balancing acts. From the volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains to the vibrant sand dunes of Rainbow Beach, optimal subtropical conditions whip up 60 kilometres of nutrient-rich soil and thriving crops, an all-natural secret sauce behind an abundance of top-shelf produce.  

Showcasing the region’s finest flavours across 10 jam-packed days is The Curated Plate, a food and drink festival that’s been luring savvy gourmands since 2019. In 2025, with celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita steering the event as culinary director, the spoils are set to be richer than ever across more than 90 individual events.  

The finishing touches are being applied to The Curated Plate food festival, set to launch in July on the Sunshine Coast.

Mark The Curated Plate’s start date, July 25, in your diary and take note of the most anticipated tickets below, previewed and sampled by Australian Traveller just last week. Spanning decadent long lunches to mind-blowing internationally inspired parties, taste sensations will be roasting, bubbling, shaking and stirring around every corner.   

The Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival 

What’s planned: A two-day celebration of local ingredients that lend themselves seamlessly to authentic Asian cooking, The Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival is one of The Curated Plates most popular drawcards. Think picnic blankets sprawled as live music tinkles in the background, craft beer and far-too-drinkable wine and some of the most acclaimed culinary creativity in town. 

Rice Boi Mooloolaba’s mouthwatering Prawn toast is tipped to be a viral sensation.

What to eat and drink: A handful of the best Sunshine Coast restaurants, including The Tamarind at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Rice Boi and Spirit House, have locked in some knock-out bites. Rice Boi’s Mooloolaba prawn toast with mandarin dashi caramel is bound to go viral, a glistening blackened square that’s been blobbed with black sesame mayo and softens in your mouth with the lightness of a marshmallow.

Spirit House’s blackened Phat Wag Wagyu skewers hit all the right notes.

There’s also Spirit House’s blackened Phat wag wagyu skewers with Indonesian sate and crispy sambal, achingly tender despite a bold façade, plus The Tamarind’s grilled Hervey Bay scallops and oysters, ever-so-delicately dressed to avoid obscuring all that ocean-fresh quality.  

Another hit on the festival must-eat list has to be The Tamarind’s grilled Hervey Bay scallops and oysters.

Where you’ll find it: On the lawn at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, 88 Obi Lane South, Maleny, from August 2 to 3 

Saltwater Eco Tours’ Seafood Experience 

The Saltwater Eco Tours team will offer an exclusive cruise experience.

What’s planned: The Saltwater Eco Tours team is putting the finishing touches on an exclusive cruise around the Mooloolaba waterways aboard their heritage sailing vessel. Shining a light on the sleepy beach town’s significant Indigenous culture, the First Nations themed experience will also dish up a several-course feast littered with seafood.    

Chilli margarita cocktails infused with native pepperberry and Davidson plum.

What to eat and drink: Cocktails will be shaken with spirits from Beachtree Distilling Co., based in Caloundra, plus native ingredients — keep your eyes peeled for a chilli margarita laced with Davidson plum and native pepperberry because it’s a game-changer.

As for the seafood, expect the likes of toasted barramundi skin (as addictive as pork crackling, we learned), Mooloolaba King prawns, grilled snapper and rock oysters, all expertly layered with native ingredients.  

Book the exclusive cruise for a multi-course feast filled with an array of seafood delights.

Where you’ll find it: Departing from The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba. Dates TBC 

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party  

What’s planned: A long table will poke out from among the lychee orchard at beautiful Yanalla Farms in the Glass House Mountains, where guests are invited to sport their wackiest headwear and indulge in an afternoon of boozy tipples and a mix of savoury and sweet treats.   

Yanalla Farms plays host for the Mad Hatter Tea Party during the festival.

What to eat and drink: Yanalla’s renowned dragon fruit, custard apples and lychees are guaranteed to take starring roles in the spread. Sweet and savoury scones will also likely come with Maleny Cuisine’s irresistible strawberry, lime and whiskey jam (the team calls it their ‘crack’ spread — one taste and you’re indeed hooked) and Hum Honey’s locally crafted raw honey. Maleny Dairies’ incredible Pure Cream will almost certainly serve as another high-quality accompaniment while gin cocktails, crafted from locally distilled spirits, should cement a memorable scene. 

Some of the local produce on offer during the long lunch.

Where you’ll find it: Yanalla Farms, Glass House Mountains. Dates TBC  

Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry Twilight Market

The Twilight Market is a celebration of the region’s producers and makers.

What’s planned: Grab your reusable shopping bags — the Queensland Sunshine Pantry Twilight Market is a one-stop shop for all things local and delicious. Featuring stalls from more than 100 stellar producers, the much-loved one-evening-only market event offers a total foodie immersion, plus loads of opportunities to take a slice of the Sunshine Coast home with you. Just add cooking demonstrations, live music and performances. 

What to eat and drink: Local stalwarts including Barry Family Butchers (don’t miss their epic super-pudgy ham steaks if they’re out for the evening), Mountain View Poultry and Little White Goat Cheese are likely to showcase delectable goods, while exceptional caffeine from the likes of Montville Coffee and cold drip from Glass House Plantation should keep crowds buzzing.   

Where you’ll find it: The Station, 201/8 The Avenue, Birtinya, on July 25 

Tour of Mooloolaba seafood trawlers 

Peter Kuruvita (right) gives guests a behind-the-scenes tour of Mooloolaba trawlers.

What’s planned: An eye-opening behind-the-scenes tour of the Mooloolaba trawlers. Led by Peter Kuruvita himself, the tour will take guests through local fishing docks and mammoth freezers where the good stuff takes up residence before getting swiftly shipped out to local kitchens. Think gigantic yellowfin tuna, barramundi, spanner crabs and the region’s tireless MVP, the Mooloolaba prawn.  

What to eat and drink: After learning about the sustainable practices of the Sunshine Coast’s seafood industry from local teams like Rockliff Seafood and Silver Sea Seafoods, Australian Traveller was treated to crab and avocado sandwiches slapped together by Peter himself. Sparkling wine was also readily poured, so here’s hoping the scheduled tour will mirror such top-notch perks. 

Where you’ll find it: The Spit, Mooloolaba. Dates TBC 

Grape vs Grain lunch   

10 Toes Brewing and Brockenchack Wines team up to give guests an expert wine and craft beer food pairing.

What’s planned: A clash of the titans, the Grape vs Grain lunch will determine what pairs best with quality seafood and beef — wine or craft beer? Guests are invited to get in on a highly entertaining several-course fine dining meal with expert pairings from Brockenchack Wines and 10 Toes Brewing. 

The Mary Valley grass-fed eye fillet with greens was a standout on the menu.

What to eat and drink: At Fish on Parkyn, one of the best seafood restaurants within the Sunshine Coast, dock-to-table dining reigns supreme. Expect to wash down generous pours of competing drops (riesling vs pale ale, rosé vs hazy and more) with the likes of spanner crab capellini in a smoky Japanese-inspired broth, Moreton Bay bug gratin with sour plum and prickly ash bechamel, and a Mary Valley grass-fed eye fillet with greens.   

Where you’ll find it: Fish on Parkyn, 25 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba, on July 25