As the sun sets on another fantastic year of Noosa International Food & Wine Festival, we’re left wondering whether this iconic event will return in 2016?
Our weekend started in stunning style with an invitation from Tourism Noosa to attend the “Top Tastes of Queensland” a 5 course degustation menu matched with Queensland wines. The epic lunch started with first course of smoked tomato bubble tea, local red claw yabby tail by Jake Nicolson (of Blackbird Bar and Grill) matched with a stunning Bents Road Marsanne. Several courses later, things kicked up a notch in the flavour stakes with Ben Williamson’s (of Gerard’s Bistro fame) Coal grilled free range spatchcock, fenugreek, organic carrots, quail eggs, dukkah, medjool dates with a Tobin Estate Tempranillo. Simply delicious and a highlight of the day!
Then it was time to treat Alluxia guests to their welcome canapés and Juniper Estate wine on arrival in the comfort of their villa at The Rise. The Rise, continues to be a winner for our guests with spacious, luxurious apartments within walking distance to the Festival village, it’s absolutely ideal for groups.
Saturday morning we arrived bright and early, super keen to stake out our space at the festival village when gates opened at 9am (probably a bit super keen in retrospect). First port of call was the Di Bella Coffee Garden, an enchanting setup under the trees to keep caffeinated in style.
Before the crowds arrived we cruised the food stalls tasting cheese, charcuterie & caviar from Fino Food & Wine and ah-mazing bacon and pork products from backfatters – seriously, seek them out! Other divine producers showcased were Barambah Organics, Yarra Valley Dairy, Woombye Cheese Company and many more star producers.
Time to start the day with Champagne! There were a few French bubbles to choose from & we opted for Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve, elegant and complex with a freshness on the finish making it the perfect drop to start the day. Other highlights of the day were Raidis Estate from the Coonawarra with their big drinking wine 'The Trip' and a beautiful Brokenwood Pinot Gris that has us longing to head back to the Hunter Valley for more.
The day was filled with live entertainment, cooking demonstrations and discussions in the Courier-Mail Lifestyle Annexe. Our highlight of the cooking demos was the ever-entertaining Colin Fassnidge educating the audience on nose to tail all while downing Asahi!
Just as the hangover subsides and the memories of a great weekend remain, news broke on Thursday from event organiser Jim Berardo “It is with deep regret and sorrow that I must announce that Noosa Food & Wine Events Pty Ltd has appointed a voluntary administrator and will close as of today. Noosa Food & Wine Events Pty Ltd trades as Berardo’s Restaurant & Bar and the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival (NIFW)... It is my desire that the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival continues in 2016 and beyond.
Berardo went on to say “The NIFW went from humble beginnings over its twelve years of operation. It has grown from 100 to nearly 35,000 attendees annually. It is now recognised as Australia’s most prestigious food, wine and lifestyle event. 2015 enjoyed nearly 40% of the visitors from interstate and overseas locations. The economic impact and media coverage generated for the region has been outstanding. A key component of the Festival is the promotion of our local producers to the nation and the world.”
He went on to say, “The impact of wet weather at the event meant gate ticket sales and festival spending were dramatically reduced, resulting in losses.“
Rain certainly didn’t dampen our love of this event and we hope to see Noosa Food & Wine Festival back in 2016 for its proposed dates of 19-22 May 2016.
Share your memories of Noosa Food & Wine Festival and register your interest to attend in 2016 by emailing info@alluxia.com
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