go for gold

The Tastes of Gold Coast Festival puts the Sunshine State on the foodie calendar

WORDS ALDWYN ALTUNEY

To most people, the Gold Coast means beaches, great weather, theme parks and more beaches. But for 16 days every year, the coast is transformed into a food and wine mecca by the Tastes of Gold Coast festival, which showcases the 350 local food producers and 10 local wineries. Adds director Wendy Lacey, “[the festival] promotes an understanding of different cultures in the region. The locals have taken integration on and are doing something to celebrate our wonderful diversity.” Now in its fourth year, the festival has 18 events slated – 10 new – so between August 17 and September 2 there’s no better place to be! We’ve picked out four must-sees.

Royal Pines Resort
pavlovaThree Chefs Do Lunch, taking place a little earlier than the rest of the festival on August 4, is a guaranteed feast for the senses. Three highly respected Gold Coast chefs – Damien Davidson-Kelly of Moo Moo’s Wine Bar & Grill, Brian Meade of the Gold Coast Arts Centre and River Café alumnus Daran Glasgow, of chapter, and features lots of sampling of local food and wine and a walk in the rainforest as well – handy for sharpening your appetite for dinner! AU$145 for Slow Food members, AU$155 for non-members, 9.30am to 6.30pm, tel: +61 (7) 5571 1699.

Grilled scallops from the
Royal Pines ResortStill in the hinterland, visit the newly opened Gallery Tokonoma in Mudgeeraba for something different but just as sublime: the rarefied Japanese cuisine called chakaiseki that’s served as part of the tea ceremony. Japanese Tea Ceremony Cuisine Experience, AU$100 per person, 21, 22, 28 and 29 August, 442 Springbrook Rd, tel: +61 (7) 5530 2378.

Brian Meade of Gold Coast
Arts Centre will head the
Three Chefs Do Lunch
eventIf your stomach and waistline are still up for it by August 26, the biggest event every year is the free A la Carte on the Beach, where you can join 20,000-odd people wandering the beach to graze on food and wine for just AU$3 to AU$8 a plate. With food stalls spanning Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, seafood and pancakes; plus live bands, cooking demonstrations, Bollywood dancers, face painting and clowns, it’s a perfect outing for the family. 10am – 4pm, Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta, tel: +61 (7) 5526 7833. To find out more about the festival’s events, visit www.tastesofgoldcoast.com.au.

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