By JOLENE OGLE
THE International Noosa Food and Wine Festival is officially underway and already it has been a busy time for foodies with a host of events on offer.
The annual Westpac Ruby Lunch kicked off the festival yesterday with a delicious three-course meal prepared by Union Dining’s Nicky Riemer and Channel 7’s Melissa Doyle as this year’s guest speaker.
More than 200 diners were treated to cured Hiramasa kingfish with whipped goats curd and pickled golden beetroots for entree, winter-warmer lamb shoulder tagine for main and yoghurt pannacotta for dessert with all meals matched with Seppelt wines.
Today (Friday 15 May) is the second day of the festival and the Festival Village at Noosa Heads Lions Park, as well as the Noosa Main Beach Beach Bar, were already buzzing this morning.
The Channel 9 Today Show made a special visit to Noosa Main Beach for live weather crosses from Natalia Cooper, who stopped to taste the bubbles with Seppelt Wines’ senior winemaker Adam Carnaby.
Today holds a host of events to suit every taste with the De Brett Seafood Trail setting off from the Festival Village at 10.30am, followed by the Audi Asian Food Trail at 11.45am, and then the Asahi Super Dry Premium Barbecue Lunch on Noosa Main Beach.
The main attraction for today is the Westpac Welcoming Party grand opening concert from 4pm today.
The party will include live music from the Swingin’ Martinis and the USA Official Blues Brothers Revue, plus food stalls from some of Noosa’s best restaurants including Embassy XO, Berardo’s Seafood Shack and Gaston Bar Bistro.
Tickets are $35 per adult and $20 per accompanied minor and are available at the gate or online at www.noosafoodandwine.com.au.
