We still can’t quite believe it — we were lucky enough to win a trip to Taste Port Douglas through the Estrella Damm Top 50 New Zealand Gastropub Awards, thanks to our dish perfectly matching with Estrella beer.
From the moment we stepped off the Qantas flight, we knew this was going to be something special. Our home for the trip was the stunning Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, a tropical oasis boasting Australia’s largest pool and just a one-minute stroll to the pristine sands of Four Mile Beach. The kind of place where you have to pinch yourself to check it’s real.
Opening night – Mirage Island magic
The festival kicked off in style on Mirage Island, right in the Sheraton complex. The setting was dreamy: twinkling lights over the water, tropical air thick with the scent of the sea, and the hum of excited chatter. Estrella flowed freely, joined by a lineup of Australian wines. Wolf Lane Distillery kept the cocktails coming, each one a little piece of liquid art.
The grazing menu was a feast for the senses — potato waffles with salmon and lemon curd, fresh-shucked oysters with tomato concasse and salmon pearls, Gildas, and perfectly crisp empanadas.
We mingled with some of Australia’s culinary royalty: Matt Preston, Matt Stone,
Louis Tikaram, and Manu Feildel. Each one was warm, gracious, and just as passionate about food as you’d imagine.
Day Two - The Lexus Long Lunch
The next day, we headed to Market Park, right by the marina, for The Lexus Long Lunch. Beneath the shade of vibrant Poinciana trees, overlooking the meeting point of rainforest and reef, the scene felt like something from a travel magazine.
Manu Feildel was our charismatic MC, keeping the energy high as we embarked on a three-course shared feast crafted by some of Port Douglas’ finest restaurants — Salsa Bar & Grill, Zinc, and La Cucina e Bar — alongside celebrated visiting chefs Michael Wilson, Louis Tikaram, and Massimo Mele.
There are far too many highlights from the menu, but here’s a quick sample: Coral trout crudo with fingerlime, lemon curd, wakame, and caviar; slow-roasted Silk Road lamb shoulder with hummus and Sichuan spic; Daintree chocolate & peanut butter mousse with butterscotch sauce — this was pure heaven in a glass, rich yet perfectly balanced.
Drinks included Tromba Tequila Tommy’s Margarita, followed by a perfectly matched beverage package: Estrella lager, Jansz Premium Cuvée, and an exceptional selection of Brokenwood wines.
With live music playing in the background and tropical breezes drifting through, it was the ultimate long lunch — indulgent, relaxed, and unforgettable.
Day 3 - Masterclasses and a night of fire
The following day was all about learning from the masters. We joined a series of intimate masterclasses where chefs shared their stories, techniques, and a few trade secrets. Watching Matt Preston work the room with his wit, hearing Matt Stone’s insights into sustainable cooking, and seeing Louis Tikaram’s passion for native ingredients up close was a rare treat. Each class was not just informative, but deeply inspiring — we walked away with new ideas, flavours, and a renewed appreciation for the artistry of food.
That evening, we stepped into one of the most spectacular dining experiences we’ve ever had. This was no ordinary dinner. Picture an open-air feast where flames danced in the night, the scent of woodsmoke mingled with the sea breeze, and some of Australia’s most talented chefs worked over roaring fires right before our eyes.
The menu included things like crocodile tail with native tamarind; Great Ocean Road abalone; Altitude beef tomahawk with smoked chimichurri — a real showstopper. Smoky, juicy, and so flavourful it practically demanded a moment of silence with each bite; Rainforest honeycomb with Daintree chocolate; roast sweet potato custard with burnt honey ice cream, passionfruit marshmallow and crumb.
Every bite was smoky, bold, and deeply connected to the land and sea of Far North Queensland.
A trip to remember
Taste Port Douglas wasn’t just a food festival, it was a celebration of place, people, and passion. From the luxury of the Sheraton to the intimate masterclasses, from the long lunch under tropical trees to the fiery spectacle of the final night, it was an experience that will stay with us forever.
We left with full hearts, satisfied stomachs, and a renewed love for the magic that happens when great food, beautiful surroundings, and passionate people come together.
Thank you very much to Estrella Damm and Hospitality NZ for the trip; we are very grateful for such an incredible experience.