Sunshine Coast foodies to shine at Regional Flavours

Local food and beverage producers will be on show to more than 90,000 people during the annual Regional Flavours event, Brisbane’s free food and wine festival this weekend at Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands.

Visit Sunshine Coast, in partnership with the Food and Agribusiness Network, has sponsored a Flavours of the Sunshine Coast regional hub which will showcase eight local food and beverage companies while VSC ambassadors and local chefs Alejandro Cancino and Cameron Matthews will create a number of locally inspired dishes.

The Flavours of the Sunshine Coast regional hub will demonstrate food and agribusiness innovation and will promote the region as a food tourism destination.

Food and Agribusiness Network general manager Emma Greenhatch said Regional Flavours was a key event on the calendar that gives food businesses a valuable opportunity to connect directly with thousands of consumers and to promote the diverse range of quality products produced in our region.

“FAN is delighted to be partnering with Visit Sunshine Coast on this initiative which will see the Sunshine Coast with one of the largest regional hubs at the event,” Ms Greenhatch said.

“It’s an exciting time in the food and agribusiness industry in the greater Sunshine Coast region with many new companies starting up and others expanding into national and international markets.

"It’s timely to take advantage of events such as this to showcase our quality products and capabilities to audiences beyond the region.

“It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the region’s supportive business environment and the collaborations occurring between FAN members such as KOKPOD Chocolate and QCamel creating Australia’s first camel milk chocolate.

“Ultimately events such as these are all about raising awareness and driving new sales, and we hope the participating businesses have a fantastic couple of days.”

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive officer Simon Latchford said Regional Flavours was an exciting event to be part of.

“With more than 900 food and agribusinesses calling the Sunshine Coast home, this event provides an opportunity to continue to position the region as the food innovation capital of Australia and will help visitors get a taste of the region’s extensive and diverse food offerings,” Mr Latchford said.

“While our beaches and sunshine are the aprimary attraction for many visitors, there is far more depth to the region’s tourism menu. The beauty is that you can enjoy time at the beach in the morning and head off to the Hinterland for a food discovery tour in the afternoon.

“Our attendance at Regional Flavours follows the recognition of ‘innovative food and produce’ as a key pillar to market our destination.”

The following local businesses will be on show as stallholders during Regional Flavours:

• Fenn Foods
• Hum Honey
• Kenilworth Dairies
• KOKOPOD Chocolate
• Mighty Bean Tempeh
• QCamel
• The Fresh Chai Co
• Woombye Cheese Co.

Shows by VSC Ambassadors:

Saturday 21 July 12pm, Cameron Matthews, The Hunting Club “Beefed up, a Winter Tale”

Sunday 22 July 3.30pm, Alejandro Cancino & Cameron Matthews, Queensland Taste Show Stage, “With all the Trimmings”

For more information about Regional Flavours visit www.regionalflavours.com.au