The international appeal of Australia’s favourite food festival Taste Port Douglas presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas, has been given a boost with the announcement of its first airline partner Singapore Airlines (SIA), as well as new funding assistance from the Australian and Queensland Government's to support Far North Queensland’s recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

“We’re delighted to be shining a light on Far North Queensland and the incredible food and drink experiences it has to offer.

"Increased government funding and our first international brand partnership are massive milestones and have enabled us to bring fans our best festival yet.

"This has been many years in the making, with a host of star culinary talent and long-time festival supporters who have championed us through the years, including our steadfast headline partner Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort,” shares Co-Founder and Culinary Director of Taste Port Douglas Spencer Patrick.

The Australian and Queensland Governments are supporting Taste Port Douglas through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) following ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper as part of the $29.15 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program.

The DRFA has enabled all levels of government to work with industry to help attract more visitors to Queensland’s Tropical North, also supporting other Cairns and Port Douglas events across 2024.

“Following the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the Australian and Queensland Governments have made significant investments to support the Far North’s tourism industry, which is home to some of our most iconic landmarks and places to visit, including the Great Barrier Reef.

"Getting visitors back to the region to contribute to the recovery of these communities is paramount.

"I congratulate Taste Port Douglas for putting Australia’s best on the global stage again, and for going from strength to strength with our support and their new global partner, Singapore Airlines,” said Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef and Senator for Queensland Nita Green.

“Taste Port Douglas is the perfect way to experience everything this incredible region has to offer and it's terrific that the Australian and Queensland Governments are supporting the event to help attract even more visitors this year.

"What an opportunity for visitors to enjoy a magnificent four-day, warm winter escape, while drinking in Port Douglas’ spectacular landscapes and envied lifestyle,” said Tourism Minister Michael Healy.

In its eighth edition, Taste Port Douglas reaches a crescendo of excitement in 2024:

• The fan-favourite ‘Chef Takeover Dinners’ has now become, the ‘Taste Port Douglas Takeover Series’ presented by Singapore Airlines featuring Michelin star chef, Michael Wilson from Singapore marking this the first time the festival has hosted international talent;
• In the Taste Port Douglas Festival Village on Sunday 11 August, Laughing Heart Comedy's 'Palate Cleansers' will be popping up during the day's activities. Hosted by Melbourne-based comedian Bron Lewis who along with a handful of Australian comedy's favourite acts - including Ben Knight [MEL], Sam Bowden [SYD], and Harley Breen [BNE] – will be delivering short, sharp stand-up sets as part of Taste Port Douglas' Festival Village programme.
• Two competitions will give Australians and Singaporeans the chance to win an ultimate foodie weekend – the first being at Taste Port Douglas and the second in Singapore.

Joining the ‘Taste Port Douglas Takeover Series’ presented by Singapore Airlines; (7-10 August) will be talented Aussie expat, Michael Wilson, Chef Patron of Singapore's Michelin-starred restaurant, Marguerite, located in the iconic Gardens by the Bay's Flower Dome.

Straight from Singapore itself, Wilson will join the all-star brigade of top Australian culinary talent, participating in one of the eight exclusive events, spanning across picturesque venues in Port Douglas, Palm Cove, and Cairns, including:

• Wednesday, 7 August: Michael Lambi X Tamarind X Wolf Lane Distillery, Tamarind, Cairns
• Thursday, 8 August: Raymond Capaldi & Alastair McLeod X Salsa Bar & Grill, Port Douglas
• Friday, 9 August: MC Colin Fassnidge with Michael Lambie X Lagoon House Restaurant, Port Douglas | Michael Wilson, Mark Best & Aaron Ward X Nu Nu Restaurant, Palm Cove
• Saturday, 10 August: French Saloon X Zinc Restaurant, Port Douglas | Jerry Mai X Paper Crane Restaurant, Cairns | MC Manu Feildel, with Adam D'Sylva, Telina Menzies X CC's Bar & Grill, Cairns

As a final flourish, two international prize packs are up for grabs in the lead-up to the festival:

• The first offers one lucky Singaporean resident the chance to win two Economy Class return flights from Singapore to Cairns for the ultimate foodie weekend at the Taste Port Douglas festival. The offer includes; five nights at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, two Weekend Season Foodie Passes and a Great Barrier Reef and Mossman Gorge experience*
• The second offers an Australian resident two Economy Class return flights from any Singapore Airlines operated city in Australia to Singapore, for the ultimate Singapore foodie weekend, including three-nights accommodation with breakfast daily at The Westin Singapore and a Seven-Course Dinner Experience with Wine and Temperance Pairing at Marguerite Restaurant in the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome**

With more than 10,000 guests expected to attend Taste Port Douglas from across Australia and the Asia Pacific, the new partnership with Singapore Airlines highlights the ease of access to the region with direct flights four times a week between Singapore and Cairns on board their Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Visit tasteportdouglas.com.au for the full festival program, and tickets can be purchased online from tasteportdouglas.com.au/whats-on

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