Melbourne chefs swap aprons for swimmers for Taste Port Douglas 2025

Victoria’s loss will be Queensland’s gain next month when some of the state’s top chefs head north to the tropics for the food festival.

Melbourne chefs Telina Menzies (Australian Venue Co executive chef), Adam D'Sylva (Boca Gelato, Decca) and Darren Purchese (Great Australian Bake Off) are heading to the tropics for Taste Port Douglas in August. Picture: David Caird

Victoria’s loss will be Queensland’s gain next month when some of the state’s top chefs head north to the tropics to showcase their skills.

Australian Venue Co executive chef Telina Menzies, Adam D’Sylva from Boca Gelato and Decca and Darren Purchese of Great Australian Bake Off fame will be among chefs from around the globe set to turn up the heat at the Taste Port Douglas event from August 7-10.

An army of Melbourne chefs and foodies will also make the tropical trek, including legendary chef and festival ambassador Raymond Capaldi, Guy Grossi, critic and TV presenter Matt Preston and Asado’s Oliver Gould.

Acclaimed UK pastry chef Roger Pizey, the Aussie chef at the helm of Singapore’s one-star Michelin restaurant Marguerite Michael Wilson, and UK chef Ryan Clift of Bali’s The Cave will also be flying in for the event.

This year’s festival promises a menu of unparalleled dining experiences, masterclasses, parties

and more — against a backdrop of reefs and rainforests.

Taste Port Douglas co-founders Reina and Spencer Patrick said they were overjoyed by the growth of the event. “Every year it gets bigger and better,” they said.