Ready to cook up a storm at festival

Celebrity chef Dominique Rizzo had so much fun at last year’s Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, she’s coming back.

Over three scrumptious days (August 4-6, 2023), more than 15,000 people are expected visit the festival precinct at Woody Point, watch live cooking demonstrations, rub shoulders with celebrity chefs, listen to live music and sample the delights of the Moreton Bay Region’s amazing food bowl.

Tickets are on sale now. Head to the website

Dominique is excited to showcase the region’s local produce again in what she describes as the best food festival she’s been to in South East Queensland.

“I’ve been to a lot, as you can imagine. I was blown away by how many local producers were there last year,” she says.

She also loves the way the 1km waterfront festival site is presented, offering a number of different precincts where festivalgoers can enjoy an array of food, music and experiences.

“You can make a day and night of it,” Dominique says.

“It’s very affordable for what you get and what’s available.”

She enjoyed exploring the festival site last year, stocking up on culinary delights and gifts for family and friends.

Most of all, she relished the chance to meet local food producers as well as distillers, wine makers and craft beer brewers.

Dominique says the feedback from festivalgoers last year was very positive – they loved the demonstrations, being able to sample the food, meet the chefs and pose for photos.

“It’s really intimate. People really felt that they could make a connection with you. It was more personal (than other events),” she explains.

Her tip is for people to buy their tickets online early and bring a shopping bag so they can take plenty of goodies home.

“Come with friends. Come and say hi to all of us chefs. We want people to join in the fun,” Dominique says.

Inspiring home cooks

Her mission is to show people how local products and produce can be used to create delicious dishes and inspire them to make them at home.

“Given the high cost of living, the cost of ingredients, I think people are cooking at home more – particularly since COVID,” she says.

“People are looking for economic dishes to feed themselves and their families.”

During her cooking demonstrations, she wants to give people great ideas for using up what they have in their fridges and pantries, and help them escape the food rut of everyday cooking.

“Something that’s economic, healthy and something different. I know that’s what I look for. I’m sure other people are stuck for ideas,” she says.

“I’m not a fancy chef, not even for myself cooking at home. I love stuff that is practical, that people can relate to and look at and go ‘I could make that’.”

About Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival

The Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival will be delivered by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism, with the support of key strategic partners, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Tourism and Events Queensland.

The Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

To find out more and to buy tickets, head to the website