Taste Port Douglas festival showcases ‘world class’ food and wine

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MORE than 8000 people gathered in the Far North to discover the tastes of the region with celebrity chefs putting a spotlight on this destination.

Taste Port Douglas co-founder Reina Patrick said this year’s event four-day event, which wrapped up on Sunday, underwent key changes such as a new location and brought in an exciting array of celebrity chefs including Manu Feildel, Ben Williamson and Jake Nicolson.

“It is a spotlight for the region, it brings so much attention to the area as an important food destination that’s putting on world-class events in a remote and regional part of Australia,” she said.

Taste Port Douglas 2022 had more than 8000 guests across the four days. Picture: Ali George/Catseye Productions

“With festivals you have one chance a year to get them right, you’ve got to take everything you learn with each year and get better at it the next and I think we’ve done that.”

Ms Patrick said woodfired food was trending this season while celebrity chef and restaurateur of Pho Nom and Bia Hoi, Jerry Mai, said it was “home cooking done well”.

Jerry Mai, chef and restaurateur, Pho Nom and Bia Hoi preparing vermicelli noodles at Taste Port Douglas 2022. Picture: Ali George/Catseye Productions

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“During lockdown people did a lot of home cooking with food for the soul to reminisce about travels, they’ll have pasta and think of that trip to Italy,” Ms Mai said.

“I had a giant garoupa over the chargrill, it was seasalted with lemongrass stuffing and people loved that and a lot of lettuce and noodles, herbs and dipping sauce.

“Fresh aromatic fragrances are perfect for this region.”

Originally published as Taste Port Douglas festival showcases ‘world class’ food and wine