Taste Port Douglas Celebrates TNQ Food Culture

Calling all foodies. Far North Queensland's premier annual food and beverage festival has once again come to Port Douglas. Renowned for being one of the best holiday destinations, Port Douglas is also famed as a culinary hotspot. With a thriving restaurant industry, food has always been a major Port Douglas attraction however last weekend, Taste Port Douglas saw foodies, restaurateurs and celebrity chefs converge on the stunning coastal town.

Over three days, from 10-12 August, Port Douglas transformed into a gourmet paradise with a program packed full of chef demonstrations, tastings, master classes, dinners and more in the beautiful Queensland location. The Taste festival allowed attendees to enjoy the lifestyle and food culture of Tropical North Queensland alongside industry experts and some of the best chefs in the country.

This year, the Big Taste series returned once again with leisurely lunches, delightful dinners and classy cocktail events in some of the best locations and restaurants in the tropics. Festival Village, located in Rex Smeal Park, was the main hub for the weekend and attracted punters with its stunning views overlooking the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

A foodies paradise, over the two days and one night of festivities, Port Douglas hosted a number of activities and events including Big Taste at Salsa Bar & Grill, a lunch with chefs Massimo Mele and Nicky Riemer who collaborated with the Salsa team. There was also Big Taste at PorkStar where Mitch Edwards, Spencer Patrick, Paul Baker and celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge presented a sold-out dinner on the Sugar Wharf. For seafood lovers, Big Taste at Bistro H where Ben O'Donoghue and Alex Herbert collaborated with the Bistro H team for a seafood dinner.

A notable inclusion to this year's program was Big Taste at Tamarind, where the first ever Cairns-based Big Taste dinner was held at iconic restaurant Tamarind. There was also all the fun of the Big Taste After Party where punters could join the festival team for late night drinks at the Sugar Wharf.

For foodies who enjoy the finer things in life, there was the Bubbles & Sweets Perrier Jouet Champagne High Tea presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage as well as Sea Feast, a seafood celebration presented by Port Produce in the Regional Table Marquee at Festival Village.
Food and fashion go together like wine and cheese and fashionistas were clearly catered for with Taste: Fashion for Foodies, the place where fashion and food met by brining Rose&Boy and Harrisons Restaurant together to offer the best of both worlds.

(16th August 2017)