Culinary Stars Set To Hit The Stage

Two of Australia's favourite culinary stars ' Alastair McLeod and Matt Sinclair ' are set to share their recipes and tips at the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival.

The pair will join the line-up of local chefs at the USC Seafood Cooking Stage, presenting several sessions over the weekend.

Alastair McLeod, who is a renowned chef and TV presenter, with shows, such as The Great Day Out, is a regular to the Peninsula.

We have a two-year-old girl so we love a day out in Redcliffe with our pushbikes. We go for a ride, have lunch at Flock Eatery, then have a paddle at the beach. By the time we're on the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, the wee girl is asleep,� Alastair said.

Alastair is a keen advocate for local and seasonal produce, seeing it as key to reducing waste and better tasting food.�

I get such joy from eating with the rhythm of the seasons, so now that means fennel, brassica, radish, carrots, beets, turnips. Food sourced locally will be in season, have travelled less and will taste better.�

Some of Alastair's favourite ingredients to work with right now include Karen Lindsay's Little White Goat cheese, Blue Dog Farm's salad leaves, Luvaberry's strawberries and lychees from Kobble Creek. He also gives a nod to trailblazing producers, such as Tracie Gallagher, whose snails in the Samford Valley have chefs around the country taking notice�.

Matt Sinclair became a household name as a contestant in Masterchef Australia's 8th series. He went on to pursue several successful food ventures at Eat Street in Brisbane and Sum Yung Guys on the Sunshine Coast, as well as regular TV stints.

Matt said he welcomed any opportunity to celebrate and showcase Queensland produce, with local seafood being one of his favourite ingredients to work with.

Fraser Isle Spanner Crab and of course [Moreton Bay] bugs sit at the top of my list. Not to mention all of the amazing produce coming out of the Lockyer Valley,� Matt said.

Alastair and Matt will make several appearances and host demonstrations at the USC Seafood Cooking Stage over the weekend. Check out the program for more details via www.moretonbayfoodandwine.c...