Queensland’s favourite food festival is well and truly underway, and it opened exactly how a nine-day celebration of global flavour and local produce should: with fire, spice and a sold-out crowd. The Curated Plate returned to the Sunshine Coast for its most ambitious program yet, and Queensland Homes was on the ground at Alsahwa Estate for the launch event, Island Fire, to taste what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable festival season.
With the 2026 festival now a few days in, there’s still plenty on the horizon. Here’s what happened at the opening event, and what’s still to come.
What Is The Curated Plate?
The Curated Plate has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most anticipated events on the calendar, and this year’s program proves exactly why. Now bringing together around 50 events over nine days across the region, it’s grown into the Coast’s flagship food and wine festival — a celebration not just of exceptional meals, but of the people behind them: the farmers, fishers, producers and chefs who make the Sunshine Coast one of Australia’s most exciting food destinations.
This year’s program is the festival’s broadest yet, spanning cuisines from Sri Lanka to Japan, Greece to New Orleans, all anchored in produce grown, caught and made right here on the Coast.
Inside Island Fire: A Sri Lankan Feast at Alsahwa Estate
The festival opened with Island Fire, a sold-out long-lunch event at the picturesque Alsahwa Estate, curated by festival Culinary Director Peter Kuruvita. Guests were treated to a menu inspired by Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage — bold spice blends, produce sourced from local Sunshine Coast growers, and everything cooked over open flame.
The atmosphere matched the food. Traditional Sri Lankan dancers moved through the estate as smoke curled from the fire pits, and long tables were set beneath the trees for a menu that felt like travelling without leaving home. It was, quite simply, one of those festival moments that reminds you why Queensland does outdoor dining better than almost anywhere else.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Kuruvita said this year’s Curated Plate reflects just how multicultural the region’s food scene has become, without losing its connection to local land and produce.
“This is the most diverse Curated Plate we’ve ever delivered. You can travel the world through food without leaving the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “Across the Festival’s ten days you’ll experience everything from Japanese, Greek and Asian flavours to New Orleans-inspired cooking, all brought to life using ingredients grown, caught and produced right here in our region.”
He added that the festival’s real strength lies beyond the plate itself. “That’s what makes this festival unique. It isn’t just about great meals; it’s about celebrating the incredible producers, fishers, farmers and chefs who make the Sunshine Coast one of Australia’s great food destinations.”
What’s Still to Come
With Island Fire and the opening weekend behind us, there’s a strong run of experiences left before The Curated Plate wraps on 2 August.
Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry presents The Paired Plate — Local Restaurants and Local Producers, Mooloolaba — until 2 August, $25–50pp
Next Gen Dinner – Notes on Winter — Mapleton Public House and The Falls Farm, Mapleton — tomorrow, $150pp (matched wine pairing option available)
Drift and Dine — Saltwater Eco Tours, Mooloolaba — tomorrow plus two further dates, $120pp
Coolum Coastal Dining & Sunshine Showcase — Coolum Surf Club
Friday 31 July
OPA! Smashing Supper — Lyra, Maroochydore
Hinterland Producers Lunch — Spicers Clovelly Estate, Montville
Trawler to Table — Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba
Mango’s Bar & Grill After Dark: Filipino Kitchen Takeover — Banana Bender Pub, Palmview, $99pp
Saturday 1 August
Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival — Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny, $165pp
Curated Plate – Bees & Brunch at Alsahwa Estate — Alsahwa Estate, Palmwoods, $129pp
4 Seas & SOKA’s Tuna Cutting Show — SOKA Restaurant, Maroochydore, $115 (plus booking fees)
Sunday 2 August — the festival’s final day
Fresh Meats Feast at LYRA — Lyra, Maroochydore
The Bush Harvest Morning Tea at Fairhill Gardens — hosted by Angela Wright, Ninderry
From the Earth — Green Valley Fingerlimes, Peachester
Larry’s x Humble Sunday Lunch — Humble on Duke, Buderim
The Winning Plate: Part of The Curated Plate 2026 — Sunshine Coast Turf Club, Caloundra, $165
Picnic on The Green — presented by The Doonan, Doonan, $130 (admits tw
As Kuruvita puts it, the beauty of The Curated Plate is that no two events are alike. “Some people will spend an afternoon learning about bees before sitting down to brunch. Others will be eating caviar by the lagoon, boarding a heritage vessel for lunch on the Mooloolah River, or watching a 70-kilogram tuna being expertly carved before enjoying it moments later. It’s these one-of-a-kind experiences that people remember, and they’re all rooted in the Sunshine Coast.”
Don’t Miss What’s Left
With some already sold out and other events filling fast, keen food lovers should lock in tickets while they can.
The Curated Plate runs across the Sunshine Coast until 2 August 2026. Check the full program and remaining ticket availability at www.thecuratedplate.com.au
