Taste Port Douglas Returns To The Tropics

Australia’s Top Chefs and Hospitality Talent Head to Far North Queensland for the 8th Edition of Taste Port Douglas

From 8–11 August, Australia’s favourite food festival in Far North Queensland (FNQ), Taste Port Douglas, will return for its eighth iteration, delivering four days of culinary excellence in the idyllic resort destination. This year is set to be its biggest and best festival yet, as for the first time ever, its highly-anticipated dining experiences will span across both its home port of Port Douglas and the FNQ capital, Cairns.

Following a turbulent start to the year, weathering Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Taste Port Douglas’ co-founders, Reina and Spencer Patrick, are excited to bring the area back to life, welcoming their all star line-up of the nation’s top culinary talent, as well as local and far flung visitors from across the country.

“This year's Taste Port Douglas will be a culinary celebration like no other, with a spectacular lineup of events and masterclasses hosted by some of the best talent in the country. Following the cyclone in December it’s been a tricky start to the year for the local community and businesses, and we’re now excited to see the festival bring FNQ back to life, welcoming both interstate and international guests to feast with us once again,” says Spencer Patrick, Co-Founder and Culinary Director, Taste Port Douglas.

He continues: “We hosted more than 10,000 visitors at Taste Port Douglas last year, many of whom travelled from overseas to feast with us, and this year we anticipate an even bigger crowd with bringing our capital city into the action.”

This year’s menu entails returning friends of the festival and new faces alike, hosting a smorgasbord of delicious events, expert masterclasses and tropical parties, backdropped by the reefs and rainforests of tropical Far North Queensland. Local hotspots will welcome a series of chef-led events, including the sell-out long sea-side luncheons, ‘A Night of Fire’ at Flames of the Forest, the hottest ticket in town, as well as new and exciting event additions that will cater to all ages. With 25 events taking place over the four-day weekend, some highlights in the culinary retreat programme include:

Thursday, 8 August

The Official Festival Launch Party – Kicking off the festival under the stars, guests can expect exceptional views and infectious beats with all the festival VIPs. Enjoy flowing food and drinks to celebrate the start of the region's gourmet weekend, with Port Douglas’ iconic Four Mile Beach at one side, and the blue lagoons of the festival’s principle hotel partner, the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, at the other.

Friday, 9 August

Masterclass Series: Ben Williamson, The Agnes Story – Join Brisbane’s acclaimed chef, Ben Williamson of AnyDay Hospitality, who will talking patrons through the rise and success of open-fire restaurant, Agnes, recipient of Gourmet Traveller’s 2023 ‘Restaurant of the Year’ award
The Lexus Long Lunch – Everyone’s favourite MC, Alastair McLeod will be back to host the festival’s signature long lunch, presenting al fresco dining at its finest, served under a vibrant canopy of Poinciana trees against the breathtaking backdrop of Dixons Inlet. This year, the brigade of guest chefs will see Telina Menzies, Louis Tickeram, Adam D’Sylva and Julian Hills, serving up a three course feast using the freshest local produce from the port, and accompanied with drinks from Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuvee and artisan South Australian wine Chaffey Bros. Wine Co.

Saturday, 10 August

La Dolce Vita: An Italian Long Lunch – Transporting diners to Italy’s infamous coastline will be leading chefs Massimo Mele, Laura and Max Sharrad and Bente Grysbaek, as they cook-up a taste of ‘la dolce vita’ in collaboration with the local favourite, La Cucina e Bar. The Italian feast will commence with a live cheese-making demonstration by Vannella Cheese, before celebrated Italian-Australian chef and restaurateur, Massimo Mele will take to the mic, sharing stories about the rich history of Italian-Australian cuisine, as guests will ‘do as the Romans do’ and indulge, family-style on the communal sharing tables
A Night of Fire at Flames of the Forest – Nick Holloway of Palm Cove’s Nu Nu restaurant will be lighting up the night with renowned chefs Ben Williamson, Aaron Ward, Julian Hills and Louis Tickeram. Set deep in the heart of the world’s oldest rainforest, an awe-inspiring fire-licked feast will offer an unforgettable sensory feast like no other

Sunday, 11 August

Festival Village at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort – The beating heart of Taste Port Douglas sets up shop against an enviable backdrop of Four Mile Beach to one side and resort lagoons on the other. Guests will enjoy a day of live cooking demonstrations and masterclasses for all ages, pop-up food and drink stalls from the participating chefs, local distillers and brewers, live music, roving performers and more
Festival Sunset: Taste Port Douglas Closing Party – Watch the sun set over the Coral Sea as we farewell the 2024 festival. Guests can expect delicious bites and tropical tipples as they dance until the small hours and celebrate the success of this year's festival, soundtracked to live musical performances and DJs

Since 2013, Reina and Spencer Patrick have remained dedicated to promoting and honouring Australia’s culinary scene:

“It’s such a privilege to see the success of Taste Port Douglas grow year on year, with the support of our visitors who travel from far and wide to join us in the festivities, as well as our outstanding line-up of chefs and hospitality talent,” shares Reina Patrick, Co-Founder and Director, Taste Port Douglas.

“The festival is cementing the region’s reputation as Australia’s favourite tropical culinary destination and we cannot wait to welcome faces, both fresh and familiar, to celebrate and feast with us once again. This year we’re seeing even more involvement from the region, from The Wildlife Habitat’s ‘Breakfast with the Birds’ family passes, to the Jerry Mai X Paper Crane collaboration in Cairns City, and it’s so exciting to see the Taste Port Douglas family expand each and every August.”

The all-star lineup will feature returning festival favourites and debuting talent, including:

QLD