Food for thought

The Noosa International Food and Wine Festival is back for 2015 with the promise of more events on the Noosa Main Beach. Photo: supplied.

The 2015 Noosa International Food and Wine Festival (NIFW) is set to hit top gear next year with even more international stars and delicious foods coming to Noosa.
The NIFW will run from 14-17 May at Noosa Heads and festival director Jim Berardo said the 2015 festival will have a different focus.
“In 2015 we’re focussing on new trends and spearheading some original new events, such as a Wild Food Dinner, new and exciting food trails, lifestyle discussions, putting the industry’s trending topics front and centre,” he said.
Among the new initiatives, next year’s line-up will also bring together more of what festival goers want including more events on Noosa Main Beach and more beach parties.
The Wild Food Dinner is new to the line-up and will be held on Noosa Main Beach, featuring Clayton Donovan, Matt Golinski, David Moyle, Sean McConnell and the festival’s executive chef Timothy Montgomery.
The new food trail will offer event goers a real farm experience with a visit to a working farm with nomadic chickens and beef, centred on the ethos of dedication, passion and commitment to the highest standards in animal welfare and quality produce, followed by lunch in the Hinterland.
Mr Berardo has promised the perfect mix of the world’s leading chefs, forerunners of the food producing industry, Australia’s top wineries, award-winning produce and great live entertainment.
The festival will also include the latest in food trends plus interactive discussions with the country’s top media and restaurateurs.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jan Stuckey said the 2015 festival boasts a spectacular program that features as part of Queensland’s ‘It’s Live’ event calendar.
“The Noosa International Food and Wine Festival continues to attract thousands of visitors to the Sunshine Coast by serving up the perfect fusion of food and wine in spectacular natural surrounds,” she said.
“From seafood lunches along Noosa’s attractive beachside to hinterland food trails, the 2015 program will tempt travellers to ‘make the most of the moment’.
“Supporting major events such as this iconic festival is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to grow overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020.”
This year, foodies will have access to pre-release tickets available from 12 December via the festival’s loyalty group, the Chilli Club, with the general ticket release scheduled for 5 January.