MEDIA RELEASE - Monday 10 November 2025
Noosa Food & Wine Festival has today announced its Signature Event program for 2026 and a milestone return to its origins. Organisers have revealed that Noosa’s much loved food festival will once again be named Noosa Food & Wine in the year ahead. Due to popular demand, it will return to its roots in 2026 to celebrate its place as an icon of hospitality and a legacy brand in the Australian culinary calendar.
The announcement comes as the festival reveals its 2026 Signature Events and that tickets will go on sale next week. The re-brand comes with the launch of a refreshed program, including new collaborations and pioneering talents, all under the festival name that is synonymous with Noosa’s world class dining scene. Tickets will go on sale for subscribers on 19 November and for general public on 20 November. As Signature Events sell out, festival goers are strongly encouraged to book quickly that morning to avoid disappointment.
The Noosa Food & Wine Festival has always held a special place in Australia’s culinary calendar. However, organisers re-named the event as Noosa Eat & Drink in 2019. This return to the original name honours its history, as well as its important place in Noosa’s hospitality evolution. The re-brand also reinforces Noosa’s place on the global stage as the festival has always attracted national and international attention. Restoring the name strengthens its global reputation as a premier food and wine destination, allowing the festival to reflect its past while also looking to a bright future for 2026 and beyond.
Festival Director John Guise said: ‘The return to this name feels like coming home: The name carries deep meaning for chefs, winemakers, producers, and loyal festivalgoers alike. Bringing it back is about celebrating that legacy and pride in a shared culinary story. The new program will reflect both heritage and innovation – the best of both worlds. We see the name update as a really positive evolution for the event. The change reflects the festival’s confidence and maturity, in its ability to return to the roots that made it an icon of food festivals around Australia, while continuing to evolve in 2026.’
Tourism Noosa CEO Sharon Raguse said: ‘As the destination partner and proud host of the festival, we’re thrilled to see the return of the iconic Noosa Food & Wine Festival name. It’s synonymous with Noosa’s world-class dining scene and our region’s deep connection to food, people, and place - from the coastline to the hinterland. This evolution honours the festival’s legacy while embracing an exciting new chapter that celebrates everything that makes Noosa such a special place to dine, sip and celebrate.’
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, said the 2026 Noosa Food & Wine Festival would delight visitors who are drawn to the tourism hotspot next June. ‘The Noosa Food & Wine Festival is an event that lures food lovers and holidaymakers alike to one of Queensland’s most picturesque coastal destinations,’ Minister Powell said.
‘The epicurean celebration is anticipated to provide a $5.25 million boost to the state’s economy and clearly aligns with the Queensland Government’s ambitious 20-year tourism plan, Destination 2045.’
With the re-brand setting the scene, the 2026 program is earmarked to be the festival’s most ambitious yet. The year ahead will showcase hundreds of hospitality leaders in a showcase of culinary creations, all framed by coastal breezes and the sand, surf and sunshine of Noosa’s stunning waterways and ocean views. Next year promises an action-packed four-days of mouthwatering delights and wildly diverse flavours in one ambitious celebration of Noosa’s top chefs and culinary leaders from across Australia. Expect menus as extraordinary as their beachside settings, as powerhouse chefs take your tastebuds on a journey you won’t forget.
Next year’s Signature Events includes a diverse list of events, from intimate chef’s tables, long lunches by the sea, and surprising collaborations in unforgettable settings. The program will next year include:
The Official Opening Party: Friday 12 June
Step onto the golden sands of Noosa Main Beach for the most anticipated night of the year. The Official Opening Party is back in 2026 and it promises to be bigger, brighter, and even more unforgettable. This is the celebration that sets the tone for the entire Festival weekend.
After another sold-out year in 2025, this iconic evening returns with an all-star culinary cast crafting a menu of continuous canapés and interactive pop-ups. Expect bold, authentic Italian flavours from Guy Grossi, the unmatched flair of South African Braai master Warren Mendes, or an interactive seafood bar from local restaurants. With a mix of marquee comfort and open-air beachfront beauty, this is the ultimate way to celebrate Noosa in style. Tickets are limited. Presale access is reserved for festival mailing list so don’t miss your chance to secure a ticket to Noosa’s most sought-after dinner party.
The Makepeace Island Experience: Friday 12 June
Step into the pinnacle of indulgence with The Makepeace Island Experience, a truly exclusive lunch with only 40 tickets available. Begin your journey with a pre-drink at Elysium’s Riviera Bar and Lounge, followed by a private river cruise to the legendary Makepeace Island.
On arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and canapés as you take in the serene beauty of this private island paradise. Witness Chef Ben Williamson in action as he cooks over the famed Agnes wood-fire, collaborating with Makepeace Island’s own Chef Zeb Gilbert to craft a three-course menu that blends bold, contemporary flavours with coastal sophistication. Enhance your meal with premium beverages from our festival partners while a live acoustic set provides the perfect soundtrack to this unforgettable experience. With every detail curated for exclusivity and refinement, The Makepeace Island Experience is more than lunch—it’s a rare opportunity to savour exceptional food, breathtaking surroundings, and the ultimate private island escape.
The Italian Long Lunch: Saturday 13 June
After a breathtaking debut in 2025, the beachside event returns to Noosa Main Beach — an extraordinary celebration of Italian food, world-class wine, and ocean views meet on the sand. In 2026, four of Australia’s most celebrated Italian chefs will unite for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration: Guy Grossi – legendary Melbourne chef and custodian of Italian culinary tradition; Luca Ciano – acclaimed chef and author bringing timeless Italian flavours to life; Adriano Zumbo – master pâtissier, renowned for his daring creativity and spectacular desserts; Andrea Ravezzani – the highly respected chef who made his mark at Noosa Waterfront and continues to delight diners with his passion and artistry. Together, they will craft a multi-course feast that embodies the soul of Italy, served with the sand beneath your feet and the ocean as your backdrop. Elevating this remarkable afternoon is Ferrari, returning as partner in 2026. Synonymous with Italian heritage, performance, and luxury, Ferrari brings its unmistakable prestige, pairing the artistry of fine dining with the spirit of one of the world’s most revered brands. This synergy promises an experience that goes beyond a long lunch — it’s a celebration of passion, craftsmanship, and la dolce vita itself. With tickets selling out in just minutes last year, demand for 2026 will be even greater. Sign up to the festival mailing list for exclusive presale access.
Sunset Sessions: Beachside Dinner: Saturday 13 June
This is how you do Saturday night in Noosa. Sunset Sessions brings fire, flavour and three of Australia’s most exciting restaurants together for a beachside dinner you won’t forget. Lanai’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stanley’s Louis Tikaram, and Serai’s Ross Magnaye are serving up a three-course menu of bold, Asian-inspired flavours, each plate packed with creativity and flair. It’s the perfect showcase of modern coastal dining at its most playful, coupled with premium beverages from festival partners. As the sun goes down over the beach, a buzzing atmosphere sets the scene for an evening that’s as vibrant as it is delicious.
Le Bistro, La Plage: A French Beachside Lunch: Sunday 14 June
Step into a Sunday afternoon of refined dining with Le Bistro, La Plage - a French bistro-inspired lunch, set on the sand for a relaxed yet elegant coastal dining experience. Leading the culinary experience are Chef Ben Williamson, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and the visionary behind his highly anticipated Brisbane venue, The French Exit, and Chef Ben Cross of Bali’s renowned Bar Vera. Together, they’ll craft a menu of vibrant, contemporary dishes that showcase the bold flavours and sophistication of French and coastal cuisine. Accompany your meal with a curated selection of premium beverages from festival partners, perfectly matched to the menu. With the gentle backdrop of the waves, this is a Sunday lunch designed for exceptional flavours, fine company, and the subtle beauty of the beach.
The Catalina Afternoon Afloat: Sunday 14 June
Step aboard Noosa’s most iconic vessel for an afternoon where flavour, sun, and river life come together in perfect harmony. This exclusive experience combines world-class cuisine, premium beverages, and the effortless beauty of the Noosa River. Helmed by Chef Jason Jones—the culinary mind behind Melbourne’s acclaimed Mamasita and Noosa’s own Bandita—the menu celebrates bold, authentic Latin flavours with a refined coastal twist, crafted to complement every sip. Glide along the river to curated sounds from a live DJ, setting a relaxed, sunlit rhythm as you enjoy Florcita’s premium tequila alongside a selection of exceptional drinks from our festival partners. It’s a Sunday escape made for great taste, golden-hour views, and memories that linger long after the last pour.
The Festival Sundowner: Sunday 14 June
There’s no better way to wrap up your festival weekend than with the Sundowner Beach Party. Set on the sands of Noosa Main Beach, expect a laid-back, vibrant celebration of food, flavour, music, and good times. This is the festival’s big finale — a cool, sun-soaked afternoon that flows seamlessly into a beachside party. Bringing the heat to the menu is Light Years, famed for their playful, modern twist on Asian dining. Think bold, punchy flavours, unexpected combinations, and a feast of continuous canapés designed to be shared in true party spirit. To turn things up even further, local favourite Light Years takeover the menu adding another layer of creativity and indulgence.
At the bar, Stone & Wood keeps the vibe fresh and flowing with their crisp, easy-drinking brews, perfectly paired with the soundtrack of live DJs spinning into the night. With toes in the sand, drink in hand, and festival energy at its peak, the Sundowner Beach Party is the ultimate way to close out your weekend. Tickets are limited — join our mailing list for exclusive presale access and be part of the closing moment everyone will be talking about.
The Noosa Food & Wine Festival is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
Booking Details:
Tickets will go on sale for subscribers on 19 November and for general public on 20 November. For exclusive 24 hour pre-sale ticket access on November 19 for Signature Events, subscribe at festival website: noosafoodandwine.com.au/
Media Contacts:
For media enquiries: Gabrielle Wilson: Publicist, M: 0433 972 915 or E: gabrielle@goldenpr.co or
Aimee Dodge: Marketing Manager, M: 0426 102 510 or E: marketing@noosaeatdrink.com.
