Food Festival First for Brisbane

Finally - our own full-on food festival!

Brisbane is set to become a winter culinary capital following the Queensland Government's announcement today that the riverside city will host a brand new food festival - Delectable - from 16-29 July, 2012.

Celebrating Queensland produce, farmers and chefs, 'Delectable' will bring to life key outdoor spaces across Brisbane through an exciting program of music, food and entertainment.

An initiative of the Queensland Government through Events Queensland, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey said the event would promote Queensland as the major food state in the nation, and reinforce Brisbane's reputation as Australia's leading event and tourist destination and the most inviting capital to visit in the winter months.

"This event is an example of the government's commitment to both agriculture and tourism - bringing together two of the four pillars we've identified as being the key drivers of a re-energised Queensland economy," Ms Stuckey said.

"'Delectable' provides a unique platform for local Queensland farmers and producers to showcase their talent, products and businesses alongside local, national and international chefs.

"Exciting new events like 'Delectable' are part of our plan to make Queensland Australia's number one tourist destination - and will put Brisbane on the national and international culinary map."

Launching Delectable on 16 July will be the delicious. Produce Awards 2012 - to be presented in Queensland for the first time in its seven year history.

delicious. Editor in Chief Trudi Jenkins said: "We are really pleased to be hosting the delicious. Produce Awards in Queensland for the first time and to support the Delectable festival and local growers and producers in the first harvest after the state's recent natural disasters.

"The Produce Awards encourage, showcase and reward producers, build awareness of culinary regions and recognise fresh, seasonal food that is produced with integrity and using ecologically sustainable farming methods and production processes."

ARIA restaurant Owner and Chef, Matt Moran is a judge of the delicious. Produce Awards 2012 and will showcase his expertise and award-winning menu at Delectable.

"We are thrilled to be participating in Delectable. It's great to have an event that is all about fresh local produce happening here in Brisbane," Mr Moran said.

"At ARIA we are passionate about local, fresh produce and so this event will be great to showcase the great producers of Queensland. We are thrilled to be participating in the event."

A highlight of the Delectable program will be the Food Bowl event - offering visitors the opportunity to taste and experience menus from some of Brisbane's most sought after restaurants in one location including Shinichi Maeda of Sake Brisbane, Tank's Alastair McLeod, Matt Moran of ARIA and David Pugh of Restaurant Two.

Head Chef of Brisbane's Restaurant Two, David Pugh said: "I feature Queensland's delicious produce on almost every dish on my menu and the quality is second to none.

"Many of our Queensland producers were devastated by last years' floods, and Delectable provides a great opportunity to showcase what they have to offer and help get them back on their feet."

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk welcomed the announcement and said Delectable Brisbane was sure to be a popular fixture on Brisbane's event calendar.

"Delectable Brisbane will provide visitors and Brisbane residents alike with the opportunity to indulge in 13 days of home-grown food, music, interactive gardens, educational programs and chef demonstrations," Mr Quirk said.

"I want Brisbane to be Australia's new world city and events like this will help strengthen that reputation, by showcasing our excellent local restaurants, producers and chefs."

Delectable will be held from Monday 16 to Sunday 29 July 2012 in Brisbane with a three part program comprising of the Grow Series, Food Series and Sounds Series.

A star attraction of Delectable, the Food Series, will showcase local and national chefs including across a wide program of events from cooking demonstrations to talks on the latest food trends.

The Grow Series will transform the Southbank Cultural Forecourt into an urban garden, featuring large-scale crop displays converting Southbank into the Food Bowl of a Nation Boulevard. At night The Wheel of Brisbane and Queensland Performing Arts Centre will come alive through a spectacular lighting and projections display.

The Sound Series will feature a custom-built stage at South Bank, hosting a multi-genre selection of performances to entertain and excite over nine days of musical talent. Headline acts Marina Prior, David Hobson and The Queensland Symphony Orchestra will close the event at the Delectable Sounds @ Riverstage on Sunday 29 July.

Regional Flavours will join the Delectable event program through a partnership between South Bank Corporation and Events Queensland. The popular food and wine event will treat visitors to a range of stall holders boasting demonstrations and tastings across the themes of sustainability, regional tastes and food fusion.

Visit www.delectableqld.com.au for more information.