GOURMAY MARY VALLEY: OUR TOP PICKS
Foodie fans, get ready – the delicious GourMay Mary Valley 2025 food festival is almost here!
Running the entire month from the 1 to 31 May, this celebration of food, farming and community takes place in the beautiful Mary Valley just north-west of Noosa – one of the country’s great food bowls.
Through workshops, farm tours, lunch and dinner events, art, film, music and more, you’ll have the chance to meet the people behind the food on your plate and share the local love.
Here’s our team’s pick of the bunch this year…
Deb Caruso, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief at IN Noosa Magazine and Hello Sunshine Magazine – Slow Food Noosa Film with Food
Thurs 8 May, Kandanga Hall, 6pm
As the former Vice President of Slow Food Noosa and someone who’s married to an Italian, there’s no chance I’m missing this culinary and cultural journey from Slow Food Noosa as part of this year’s GourMay Mary Valley! The film Chef Antonio’s Recipes for Revolution set in Northern Italy follows Chef Antonio de Benedetto’s inspiring quest to transform the world, one delicious dish at a time. Noosa Chef Josh Smallwood and the Slow Food Noosa team have crafted a delectable Italian-themed menu that perfectly complements film’s flavours and spirit. Bellissimo!
Bex Jamieson Dwyer, Editor of Hello Sunshine Magazine – Mother’s Day Garden Party Brunch
Sun 11 May, Woollahra Homestead, 9am
As much as I love peanut-butter toast in bed delivered by sticky little toddler hands, what I REALLY want for Mother’s Day this year is a ticket to GourMay Mary Valley’s Mother’s Day Garden Party Brunch at Woollahra Homestead! Nothing sparks joy quite like a beautifully decorated long table lunch and the chance to connect with other women – I look forward to sipping mimosas, enjoying a delicious breakfast spread and delicate petite cakes, and taking some much-needed time to feel relaxed and rejuvenated before heading home to my cuties. I might even save them a cake or two…
Michelle Tait, Accounts and Administration – Walking with Macadamias
Sun 11 May and Sun 25 May, Amama Picnic Ground, 9-11am or 10am-12.30pm
I love getting out and about in nature – and who doesn’t love the delicious macadamia nut?! Sturdy shoes are recommended for this walking tour where we’ll learn all about the distribution and survival prospects of this rare and significant tree that evolved right here on the Sunshine Coast. Plus once we’ve built up an appetite, we’ll enjoy a macadamia filled morning tea at the delightful Amamoor Village Green – yes please!
Mel Rosettenstein, Senior Writer – Lake Borumba Ladies Anglers Classic Day and Lake to Plate with Matt Golinski
Sat 17 May – Ladies Anglers Classic Day, 7am to 4pm, Lake Borumba; Lake to Plate, 5.30pm to 8.30pm, Borumba Deer Park
I grew up fishing with my dad in South Africa, so I’d love to attend the Lake Borumba Ladies Angler Classic Day as part of this year’s GourMay Mary Valley and join fellow anglers for a delightful day on the water! The day starts with an educational session from anyone who needs tips (that’s me), and the person with the biggest catch will be crowned the inaugural winner! And I can’t miss the Lake to Plate event that evening hosted by acclaimed Chef Matt Golinski using the catched from the day, with a freshwater fish cooking demonstration, recipe inspiration and a delicious dinner with acoustic music served under lights.
Ali Smith, Content and Creative Director – Sunshine Coast Hinterland Agricultural Tour with Creative Tours
Sat 17 May, pick-up location Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Montville, 9am to 4pm
As a longtime Sunshine Coast local, I’d love to take friends visiting from Melbourne on this agricultural tour with the amazing Jamie and his team from Creative Tours to explore some of the best foodie and producer experiences the hinterland has to offer. With handy pick-up available from Mooloolaba, we’ll love visiting Kenilworth Dairies, John Tidys Organics and more, stopping for a delicious lunch at Woollahra Homestead along the way. We are so lucky to have all this on our doorstep, and I can’t wait to show off our region’s natural beauty and fresh flavours.
Jakki Goodall, Business Development Manager – Amanda Emblem’s Songwriting Soup
Sun 11 May, Cahoola Cabins, 10am
If you’ve met me you’ll know I’m always up for new experiences – the more unusual the better – so Amanda Emblem’s delightful Songwriting Soup event is right up my alley! Open to everyone (no special skills necessary), we’ll throw our music and lyric suggestions into the mix to create a brand-new song with this award-winning local singer-songwriter while also creating and enjoying a delicious soup with homegrown veggies from her garden. Fun!
Jodie Cameron, Writer – GourMay Mary Valley Gala Celebration
Sat 31 May, Kandanga Country Club, 6pm
I love an excuse to get glammed up, connect with the community and eat delicious local food, and the GourMay Mary Valley Gala Celebration is the cherry on top of this wonderful month-long event! I’m looking forward to celebrating with the Mary Valley’s farmers, producers and creators as we toast to supporting local, enjoy a magic show from the amazing Tommy Magic, and then dance the night away. Cheers to that!
Everyone – Festival Day
Sat 10 May, Imbil Town Square & Rail Park, 9am to 3pm
This year’s GourMay Mary Valley Festival Day is a great family-friendly day out with something for everyone: think cooking demonstrations, foodie talks, a bee exhibition, The Great GourMay Mary Valley Cooking Challenge, a kids’ corner, live music and so much more! We’re excited to celebrate in beautiful Mary Valley country.
See you there for a feast-ival to remember!
