Serving up more than 40 events across four days, the anniversary edition  promises a vibrant celebration of connection, flavour and place this  August 

Taste Port Douglas Food & Drink Festival, presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas,  will return from 6 to 9 August 2026 for its 10-year anniversary, unveiling a milestone line-up of  celebrated Australian chefs, international culinary talent and an immersive four-day celebration of  food, drink and destination. 

Supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, along with  principal and major partners, the anniversary edition will once again transform Port Douglas into a  vibrant stage for exceptional dining, intimate masterclasses, chef-led events and destination  experiences. 

International culinary talent will be a defining feature of the 2026 festival, with an exceptional line up of chefs joining Taste Port Douglas from across Australia and overseas. Leading the  international contingent are globally recognised names including Kirk Westaway of Singapore’s  acclaimed JAAN by Kirk Westaway, Rishi Naleendra of Cloudstreet in Singapore, Ryan Clift of The 

Cave by Chef Ryan Clift at The Edge, Bali, Michael Wilson, chef patron of Marguerite and Hortus in  Singapore, and Sam Aisbett of Akuna in Vietnam. 

Together, they underscore the calibre of talent being drawn to Port Douglas for this milestone year,  spanning Michelin-starred restaurants and internationally acclaimed culinary destinations. 

Appearing at Taste Port Douglas for the first time, Mindy Woods of Karkalla, Byron Bay, leads a  fresh wave of Australian talent joining the 2026 line-up. She joins returning favourites Manu Feildel  of Bistro Red Lion by Manu in NSW and My Kitchen Rules, Laura Sharrad of Nido Bar & Pasta and  Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room in Adelaide and MasterChef, Ben Williamson of Agnes and Same Same  from Brisbane’s Anyday Group, and Jerry Mai, culinary leader of Roll’d, balancing new additions  with familiar names that have helped shape the festival’s identity. 

Set between two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders, the ancient Daintree Rainforest  and the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas provides the spectacular tropical backdrop that sets Taste  Port Douglas apart. In 2026, festival founders Reina and Spencer Patrick are inviting guests to  experience a stronger sense of place through programming across standout locations including the  return of Rex Smeal Park to the festival program as the Culinary Pavilion. 

Overlooking the Coral Sea and framed by palms, the waterfront setting will host standout events  including the Official Opening Party, the sell-out Long Lunch Series and new signature event  Sunrise Session, a feel-good sober rave. 

Across the festival weekend, Port Douglas’ favourite venues will welcome guest chefs for the  Takeover Series, presented by Singapore Airlines, while the Daintree Rainforest will once again  come alive for the fourth edition of Night of Fire, the festival’s signature rainforest dining and fire  experience. 

Reina Patrick, Festival Director of Taste Port Douglas, said the anniversary line-up reflects the  festival’s evolution into one of the country’s most distinctive food and drink events. 

“The 2026 program is a celebration of everything Taste Port Douglas has become over the past  decade, world-class culinary talent, unforgettable food and drink experiences, and a genuine  connection to place,” Patrick said. 

“To welcome such an exceptional mix of international chefs, leading Australian talent and returning  favourites to Port Douglas for this milestone year is incredibly exciting. We are proud to showcase  the very best of our region while giving guests the chance to experience the warmth, beauty and  flavour of Tropical North Queensland in a way that feels intimate, vibrant and uniquely Taste Port  Douglas.” 

Multi-day Series 

• Sheraton Festival Village, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August The weekend’s must-do  festival experience at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, featuring hourly chef  demonstrations on the Moffat Main Stage, premium restaurant and produce stalls,  renowned wines, local spirits and live music.
• Moffat Masterclass Series, Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August Intimate sessions for 24 to 30  guests, offering the chance to learn from culinary stars, award-winning producers,  winemakers and distillers, with food and beverage pairings in an up-close setting. 
• Takeover Series presented by Singapore Airlines, Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August Some of  Port Douglas’s best venues will welcome guest chefs into their kitchens, giving diners a  taste of award-winning culinary talent in a tropical setting. 
• Lexus Long Lunch Series, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August A celebration of the Tropical  North Queensland lifestyle, pairing standout menus with premium beverages and live  entertainment in iconic outdoor settings. 
• The Original Long Lunch, Friday 7 August Hosted by Alastair McLeod, with a collaborative  menu by four Port Douglas favourite venues and four guest chefs, alongside live music,  premium Margaret River Vasse Felix wine and welcome cocktails by Tequila Tromba. 
• The Italian Long Lunch, Saturday 8 August Presented by La Cucina e Bar and hosted by  Massimo Mele, with a menu by Laura and Max Sharrad and Luca Ciano, celebrating Italian  food, wine and storytelling. 

Daily Highlights 

• Official Launch Party presented by Olsson’s Salt, Thursday 6 August A sunset  celebration overlooking the Coral Sea and rainforest ranges, with a roving menu by  Sheraton’s Culinary Director Belinda Tuckwell, the official in-person introduction of the  2026 line-up and the first toast of the festival weekend. 
• The Red Book Collective, Friday 7 August As part of the Takeover Series, Harrisons  Restaurant will host four chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants in a truly special festival  first. Join Kirk Westaway, Sam Aisbett, Rishi Naleendra and Michael Wilson for a multi course collaboration menu paired with Champagne Pol Roger and iconic Jim Barry Wines. 
• Sunrise Sessions, Saturday 8 August A new anniversary experience at the Rex Smeal Park  Culinary Pavilion, bringing together DJs, dance, mindful bites, local Tablelands Jack Murat  Coffee and alcohol-free beverages in an early morning celebration by the sea. 
• Night of Fire, Saturday 8 August A return to Australia’s only rainforest dining experience,  with fire-fuelled cooking in the Daintree Rainforest, hosted by Colin Fassnidge and brought  to life with live music and dishes from the festival’s leading fire chefs. 
• Louis Tikaram / Stanley Yum Cha Lunch, Sunday 9 August Louis Tikaram brings his  signature modern Asian cuisine, blending Southeast Asian and Fijian-inspired flavours with  contemporary techniques, to the tropics for a favourite Sunday ritual. 
• Festival Sunset, Sunday 9 August A laid-back closing celebration featuring a roving menu  by two-hat Harrisons Restaurant, live DJ sets and one final farewell to the weekend, the  talent and new and old friends. 

Full 2026 chef line-up 

From award-winning restaurateurs and television favourites to globally recognised innovators and  Michelin-star talent, the 2026 line-up reflects the festival’s most ambitious culinary program to  date and reinforces Taste Port Douglas as Australia’s premier tropical food and drink festival.

International 

• Kirk Westaway, Chef, JAAN by Kirk Westaway 2* (Singapore) 
• Michael Wilson, Chef, Marguerite 1* (Singapore) 
• Rishi Naleendra, Chef, Cloudstreet 2*, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Singapore) • Ryan Clift, Chef, The Cave (Bali), The Tippling Club, now closed (Singapore) • Sam Aisbett, Chef, Akuna 1* (Vietnam) 

Queensland 

• Alastair McLeod, Chef and TV presenter 
• Ben Williamson, Chef, Agnes, sAme sAme, Honto (Anyday Group) 
• Jake Nicolson, Chef, Blackbird, Donna Chang, Boom Boom Room (Ghanem Group) • Louis Tikaram, Chef and TV presenter, Stanley Restaurant 
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chef, The Ohana Group 

New South Wales 

• Colin Fassnidge, Chef and TV presenter, My Kitchen Rules 
• Luca Ciano, Chef, TV host and author 
• Manu Feildel, Chef and TV presenter, Bistro Red Lion by Manu, My Kitchen Rules • Matt Stone, Chef, Eltham Hotel, You Beauty, Ciao Mate 
• Mindy Woods, Chef, Karkalla 

Victoria 

• Darren Purchese, Chef, author and TV host, Studio Kitchen 
• Guy Grossi, Chef, restaurateur and industry legend 
• Jerry Mai, Chef and consultant, Roll’d Australia 
• Raymond Capaldi, Chef, consultant, Wonderpies, Traderne 
• Telina Menzies, Chef, Australian Venue Co. 

South Australia 

• Laura Sharrad, Chef and restaurateur, Nido, Fugazzi, MasterChef 
• Max Sharrad, Chef and restaurateur, Nido, Fugazzi 

Tasmania 

• Massimo Mele, Culinary Director, Peppina, Grain of the Silos 

Taste Port Douglas will invite subscribers to access Early Bird tickets to select events from  Thursday 26 March 2026. Tickets and additional program information will be available to the public  from Thursday 9 April 2026. 

Guests can purchase tickets and sign up at www.tasteportdouglas.com.au

About Taste Port Douglas 

Taste Port Douglas is Australia’s premier tropical food and drink festival, celebrating the best of  Australia’s food culture in Tropical North Queensland through a boutique, sensory-rich program of  curated dining events, masterclasses and experiences. 

Held in Port Douglas, the festival brings together world-class Australian and international chefs,  passionate producers and hospitality leaders for an intimate celebration of flavour, friendship and  place, set between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. 

Address: Port Douglas, Queensland 4873 

Website: https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au 

Social Media: @tasteportdouglas  

About Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas 

Set on the edge of Four Mile Beach, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas is a tropical  beachfront resort and the presenting partner of Taste Port Douglas. 

With expansive lagoon pools, palm-lined gardens and a relaxed luxury atmosphere, Sheraton  Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas offers an ideal base for festival guests to stay, savour and  explore the region. 

Address: 168-190 Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas, QLD 4877  

Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cnssi-sheraton-grand-mirage-resort-port douglas/overview/ 

Social Media: @sheratongrandportdouglas

Proudly supported by leading partners Presenting Partner 

• Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas 

Principal Partners 

• Estrella Damm 
• Singapore Airlines, festival airline partner 
• Tourism and Events Queensland / Queensland Government • Moffat Australia 
• Lexus Australia 

Major Partners 

• Porkstar, Industry Partner 
• Olsson’s Salt, Premium Produce Partner 
• Vannella Cheese, Premium Produce Partner 
• Worktones, Uniform Partner 
• Simon George & Sons, Fresh Produce Partner 
• Douglas Shire Council, Festival LGA 

• Exemplar Coaches & Limousines, Transport Partner