Tamborine Mountain raconteur Ashley Forbes is planning an upmarket Food and Wine festival for late October this year.
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| Food & Wine Festival organizer Ashley Forbes pictured in his Main Street cafe The Kitchen Table |
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The festival which be held over three days with a massive cocktail party on Friday night for 600 people, a Black Tie Ball on Saturday night and a record setting 300 people sitting down to lunch at the world’s longest table.
Mr Forbes is working two local event promoters to produce the inaugural event with the help of several major sponsors.
“We are just finalizing the details now,” said Ash.
“But we are not looking at a small or low-key event.
"Tamborine Mountain is so close to Brisbane and the Gold Coast that we expect to attract over 10,000 people over the three days in October.”
The Ash Forbes style – so evident in the decor and atmosphere of his Main Street cafe The Kitchen Table – will be a key ingredient of the Mt Tamborine Food and Wine Festival.
“We’ll be using a helicopter to ferry our celebrity guests from the Gold Coast up to the mountain every day. We expect there to be a lot of pressure on the local accommodation venues so that'll free up a few more rooms for visitors."
"We are planning a specially built heli-pad near Hartley Road and we are working closely with Cr Derek Swanborough and the Mayor of Scenic Rim John Brent to get all the approvals in place."
“The Council have been just fantastic,” said Ash, “I could not have asked for more help and cooperation. We are travelling up to the Noosa Food and Wine Festival with senior officials from the Council this weekend.”
Aidan McLindon MP, the Member for Beaudesert has also offered his support to the initiative.
“Tourism Queensland is also helping us to introduce National and International tourism organisations to the Festival,” said Ash Forbes.
The festival will have 16 venues all over Tamborine Mountain with exhibitions, demonstrations and tasting sessions. The Tamborine Mountain Daily Star will also be sponsoring a Sculpture Exhibition and Competition on the same weekend.
Entry to the various exhibitions will be by ticket purchased online with Gold and silver passes and individual events available.
“There are a thousand and one details that we are still working on,” said Mr Forbes. “There is so much interest in the festival from major brands seeking to become event sponsors.”
“We believe that this event will significantly raise the profile of Tamborine Mountain amongst the people who appreciate the best in food, wine and culture. It will be great for everyone on Tamborine Mountain. Even the real estate market could get a boost from so many people coming here looking for a lifestyle change!”