Festival serves up a fine decade of culinary delights

Thousands of visitors from Australia and overseas are expected from today on the Sunshine Coast for the prestigious Noosa International Food and Wine Festival.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the festival, now in its 10th year, continued to provide a premier food and wine experience.

“Running from today until Sunday night, the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival is one of the most anticipated culinary-tourism events in Australia,” Ms Stuckey said.

“It’s enviable status is a credit to organisers who are showcasing the best of Queensland’s produce and the best of the Sunshine Coast as a holiday and events destination.

“Last year’s event attracted more than 26,000 people, and this year visitors from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and countries such as New Zealand and Singapore will enjoy more than 150 culinary events.

Member for Noosa Glen Elmes, who will officially open the festival on Saturday, noted how the event had grown to become an integral part of Noosa’s community and events calendar.

“It is fantastic to see this festival mature into such a vibrant and significant celebration for the region that attracts domestic and international visitors, many of whom will make return visits and ensure the local economy gets a boost,” Mr Elmes said.

“An unparalleled line-up of global culinary stars will take part, including 10 chefs from the prestigious S.Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant List, while fantastic events include the Seafood Feast on the Beach, the Sunset Concert in Noosa National Park and the Qantas Premier International Degustation Dinner.”

Festivities are spread across the Sunshine Coast with food trails throughout the hinterland, culinary cruises on the river and the great range of Sunshine Coast restaurants being showcased.

Ms Stuckey said events delivered economic and social benefits to all sectors of the host community and the State Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), was proud to support the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival in its 10th year.

TEQ CEO Steven Wright said the organisation’s promotion of the event extended internationally to New Zealand and Singapore, helping attract visitors and boost the Sunshine Coast’s tourism industry.

“TEQ supports the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival as a signature event on the Sunshine Coast, offering visitors the opportunity to experience fantastic regional produce in an iconic Queensland tourism destination,” Mr Wright said.

“International journalists, including writers from China, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore, are also coming to the festival; with one group taking an extended tour of the Sunshine Coast to sample its culinary credentials.”

Ms Stuckey highlighted tourism’s importance to the Sunshine Coast region, with 2.9 million international and Australian visitors to the region last year, a two per cent increase from 2011.

“Those visitors also spent more, up six per cent to $1.8 billion,” she said.

For more information on the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival, visit www.noosafoodandwine.com.au.

Source: Accommodation Association of Australia, 17 May 2013