Port Douglas' love affair with alfresco gourmet dining will be extended fully during this year's Port Douglas Carnivale with organisers announcing a a new cuisine event for this year's program - Palates of Port.

Described as 'Degustation under the Stars', the event will see eight of Port Douglas' finest restaurants and their chefs team up together: Bucci Ristorante; Head Chef – Shaun Malone, High Tide Beach Bistro Bar; Head Chef – Thomas Ahsendorf /Sous Chef – Phil Seely, Salsa Bar & Grill; Salsa Bar and Grill – Head Chef / Owner Goran Zonai, 2 Fish Seafood Restaurant; Head Chef – Tommy Young, Bistro 3; Head Chef – Evan Seaward, Harrison’s Restaurant; Head Chef / Owner – Spencer Patrick and Sam Hiroki, Bel Cibo; Head Chef / Owner – Andy Gray, and Sakinah House Restaurant; Head Chef – Anthony Kramer.

Spokesperson Monique Leman said the event will showcase the exceptionally quality and high standards achieved by the restaurant industry in the region and is expected to become a signature event of Port Douglas Carnivale,

"The giant fig in Rex Smeal Park will be come the backdrop, accentuated with fairy lights, lanterns and up-lights of soft, atmospheric colours to create a magical setting for the eight course dinner. The area will be surrounded with white silk screens and at the base of the fig a small stage will provide the setting for each of the eight contributing chefs to demonstrate, in turn, how their dish is prepared and showcases the local produce which it incorporates. All the action will be displayed on a large projected screen so everyone will be able to see the preparation processes involved," she said.

The climax of each dishes' demonstration will be the serving of the dish from the on- location kitchen (built close by but out of view). To complete the menu, a team of local food and wine industry professionals will have matched the best of Australian wines with each of the eight courses.

"In conjunction with the theatre that will be created by the eight chefs demonstrating their dishes, the event will also be managed by MC Tammy Barker to ensure nothing is missed and the evening flows effortlessly," said Monique Leman. ‘The MC will detail the menu’s dishes, conduct interviews with the chefs as they are working, and manage a program of entertainment during the night designed to enhance the atmosphere of celebration surrounding the event”.

Ms Leman said the evening was not about competition but co-operation between all the contributing chefs and their restaurants to illustrate Port Douglas is one of the best food destinations in Australia.

Palates of Port will take place on Friday 28th of May, 2010 at Rex Smeale Park commencing at 7.00pm. Tickets are $160 pp incl GST and available from www.carnivale.com.au.

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