The JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa unites our city’s top chefs.
The JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa unites our city’s top chefs.
In case you hadn’t noticed, the GC has become quite the pin-up girl for culinary excellence in recent times. We have a plethora of world-class chefs taking up residence on our sunny shores, spearheading local restaurants to regional, national and international notoriety. Better yet, they’re embracing the celebration of local produce, with thoughtfully curated menus brimming with homegrown ingredients. Bravo!
One GC-based icon is uniting a bunch of his fellow chef Extraordinaires for a four-day exploration of South East Queensland’s finest produce. We’re naturally talking about JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s award-winning Executive Chef Paul Smart, and where better to showcase a collab of this calibre than Citrique restaurant.
Aptly named “Culinary Stars” and taking place from Monday 7 November until Thursday 10 November, food enthusiasts will be flocking to the resort’s signature eats venue for this sumptuous series. Featuring degustation dining, traditional high tea and culinary cooking classes, it’s set to be the hottest (and tastiest) ticket in town.
So just who has been hand-picked to craft menus from the big blue, GC hinterland and surrounding farms to serve up their gastronomic story on a plate? Get your autograph books at the ready for a stellar A Team, with Dayan Hartill-Law, Executive Chef at HOTA Gallery, Richard Le Deunff, Chef Pâtissierat at Aux Fines Bouches, Meyjitte Boughenout, Executive Chef at Glass Restaurant, Gavin Hughes, Senior Culinary Expert at Miele (ex-Head Chef at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa), and rounding out the ‘superstar six’ is Angela Brown and Emir Kusbeci, Sous Chef and Junior Sous Chef at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. Talk about a lavish line-up and we can actually hear all the foodies licking their lips in anticipation.
Monday 7th & Tuesday 8th November
Starting this sumptuous series at 6pm on Monday the 7th is ‘Ocean to Plate’ and cocktail pairing for $149 per person. Led by Paul Smart, Richard Le Deunff, Meyjitte Boughenout, and Emir Kusbeci, indulge in a four-course degustation with Snow Fish Ceviche, Red Emperor, Ocean Beef and Oysters, finishing with a Veliche Dark Chocolate Tart and look, we were sold at cocktail pairing #OldHabitsDieHard.
Or if a five-course ‘Hinterland to Plate’ degustation with wine and cider pairing is more your cup of sav, join Dayan Hartill-Law, Angela Brown, Richard Le Deunff, Gavin Hughes, and Meyjitte Boughenout on Tuesday 8th from 6pm. For $179 per head, devour Zucchini Flower, Butter Poached Rainbow Trout, Wood-Fired Roasted Quail, Roasted Lamb and Yuzu Gold Bar. Sign us up pls and ta.
Wednesday 9th November
This brings us to Wednesday 9th November’s ‘Traditional High Tea’ from 2pm, with Richard Le Deunff and Jeffery Santos. A rite of passage for Gold Coasters created by the JW Marriott GC culinary team, this humdinger of a high tea features homemade goodies inspired by the tranquil hinterland. Finishing with Veliche Dark Chocolate Tart, it’s the best $79 per person you’ll spend this year.
Also on Wednesday from 6pm, there’s ‘Farm to Plate’ with Witches Falls wine pairing. For $199 per person, the full culinary heroes A Team will assemble for a six-course degustation with Lobster and Caviar, Daintree Barramundi, Confit Duck, Rocky Farm Cobia, and Peach Illusion.
Thursday 10th November
Rounding out this irresistible event on Thursday 10th are two unmissable sessions. Worth the undereye bags thanks to the 6am kick off, ‘Creative to Plate’ led by Executive Sous Chef Selva Gopalakrishnan and the JW Marriott’s rising star culinary team presents a mouthwatering five-course degustation, influenced by local Gold Coast produce ($129 per person).
Then at a more ‘palatable’ hour from 10am, you can catch the ‘JW Culinary Class’ for $65 per person. Learn first-hand from Paul Smart and Gavin Hughes with Signature Moreton Bay Bug Dumplings and Peking Duck Betel Leaves. This intel is guaranteed to impress the pants off your friends at your next dinner party and we do apologise if this happens.
So, get booking Gold Coast or ‘whisk’ missing out on this opportunity to explore the diversity of delicious food in our region. For tickets and enquiries, go here.
Where: Citrique Restaurant, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Monday 7 – Thursday 10 November
Word by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA
Christmas soiree season is fast approaching and we swear someone is messing with us, because surely it can’t be that time again (it is). To be more specific, there are just over 11 weeks until the jolly man comes to town so sound the alarm, we need to lock in our workplace festive shindigs and Christmas client schmoozing yesterday. Luckily, we have a suggestion with more razzle dazzle than you can poke a feather boa at and we’re of course talking about A Roaring 20’s Christmas at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. A grand affair and evening packed with glamour and decadence, it ticks every box on the corporate Christmas party wish list. A showstopping venue – tick. The highest calibre food and entertainment – tick. An excuse to don a flapper frock, fishnets, and a faux fur shawl – TICK!
Sure to woo your team and those hard to impress clients, step back in time and channel your inner Great Gatsby at the Christmas party to end all Christmas parties. Choose either Friday 9th December or Saturday 10th December, and enjoy a sumptuous three-course Christmas banquet and four-hour beverage package (no bootleggers needed here). Then it’s time to show off your Prohibition Era-esque dancefloor moves, and we knew watching Dancing with the Stars would benefit us one day.
Being the OG culinary powerhouse that it is, The JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is certainly going the full Jay Gatsby with an indulgent menu not to be missed. For an entrée, shimmy into a Smoked Duck Salad with celeriac remoulade, pickled vegetables, baby herbs, and truffle dressing. Or, if you’re like us you’ll go weak at the knees for the Champagne Lobster Ravioli sauteed with mushrooms, lobster fricassee, saffron pasta and bisque sauce and no, this isn’t a result of our failed Charleston attempt.
Now it’s time for the star of the show, the mains, and they are every bit as lavish as the strand of pearls perfecting your 1920s getup. We’re talking Baked Snow Fish with asparagus, red pepper coulis, confit tomatoes and lemon verbena sauce. Or, if red meat is more your cup of moonshine, there’s slow-roasted lamb loin with potato gratin, spiced carrot puree, baby carrots and red wine jus.
Finally, you’ll be grateful they ditched corsets in the 20’s coz the desserts are simply irresistible. The Dessert Buche de Noel is a divine chocolate mousse cake with cherry compote, coconut dacquoise and vanilla bean ice cream and side note, worth shelving the summer bod diet for. There’s also a baked Mango Passion Cheesecake with mango gel, gingerbread sable crumble, sorrel, and passionfruit sorbet, and do remind the person sitting next to you that sharing is caring.
But why end the fun here when you can turn this bougee Chrissie celebration into a fancy overnight stay?! Tis the season to spoil oneself, one’s staff, and one’s clients, so drop the JW Marriott team a line on 07 5592 9800 or email to make a reservation.
Bookings are essential, so source those sassy bobs, scarlet hued lippies and three-piece suits, and secure your table/tables pronto. Tickets are $189 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: 6.30om – 11pm, Friday 9th December & Saturday 10th December
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA
Get your fascinators and finest tailored suits ready- it’s race day. Or should we say the race day. It’s one of the most esteemed events on the spring racing calendar, bringing spirit and glamour together for a race that stops the nation. Of course, we are talking about Melbourne Cup. More specifically, the exclusive 2024 Melbourne Cup Luncheon at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.
There’s no event on the calendar quite like the Melbourne Cup. It brings an effervescent spirit that cannot be matched. Even New Year’s Eve falls short against it! Set on the iconic Flemington Racecourse, it attracts a hefty viewership year on year, with last year drawing a cool 1.68 million viewers nationally. No matter where you are on cup day, the feverish energy can be felt. In other words, you don’t have to be in Melbourne to soak up the experience of this iconic annual event.
If you’re yet to experience Melbourne Cup at the JW Marriott Gold Coast, let us tell you, there is no better place to be on November 5th. The luxury resort’s luncheon event has built a reputation as the hottest spot in town for race day celebrations. Watch the race live from their Grand Ballroom, which transforms into a high-energy hub where style, sophistication, and the thrill of the race collide. From 12-3:30pm, Cup Day glamour meets the chic charm of the Gold Coast, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable event.
Hit full stride into race day glamour with a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne on arrival, and stay ahead of the pack with a luxury beverage package including Laurent Breban Blanc de Blancs. Hold on to your headpieces; there’s more! Indulge in a decadent three-course luncheon presented by the culinary team at Citrique and watch the live action unfold on the big screen before you!
You’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat as the thrill of the race reaches a fever pitch among the crowd. Your glass of bubbles will be high in the air, and everyone will be on their feet. The room erupts into roaring as you watch the race unfold before your very eyes.
The spectacle doesn’t stop there, with live entertainment by Sunset Society and fashions on the field by Liz Clift International designer labels. Now, it’s not as though we need an excuse to make a fashion statement (we live for the spotlight), but there are prizes for ‘Best Dressed’ going out. You best believe our best heels are going forward in hopes of crossing the finish line first!
Don’t stall now! Spots are filling faster than a racehorse out of the gate! Tickets are $199 per guest (plus booking fee) and bookings are essential. Click here to secure your seats. Sweepstakes and raffles supporting the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation.
Where: JW Marriott Resort & Spa Gold Coast, 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: 12:00pm – 3:30pm, 5th of November 2024
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY JW MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA GOLD COAST
We’re all partial to a spot of fancy feasting from time to time. Whether it’s an anniversary, birthday, special celebration, or none of the above and you just feel like getting dressed up and playing swish, thankfully the GC has some cracking fine dining options. Once upon a time, our hood may not have exactly been praised for its culinary prowess, but that was so 1990 and today’s Gold Coast eats scene has award-winners at every turn.
So don your special occasion finery and refresh your memory re. which cutlery matches which meal coz here we go!
T’Ang Court
If you’re vibing a unique and tantalising Cantonese fine-dining affair, then it’s T’ang Court for the win. The esteemed Surfers Paradise restaurant inside the swisher-than-swish The Langham, Gold Coast is so divine it’s been awarded an Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat for 2023. Presenting elevated culinary masterpieces using local produce and paired with a bespoke wine list, it’s a nod to a dynasty that shaped a nation.
Where: The Langham Gold Coast, 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
Coast
Coast seamlessly blends casual elegance with a celebration of contemporary Australian cuisine. Using only the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients, feast on a curated selection of share plates, as well as local seafood and signature steaks, dry-aged in-house and cooked to perfection in the famous Josper charcoal oven (#BBQsmokyheaven). An elegant and sophisticated space with warm lighting, plush seating, an all-time wine list, and exquisite views of the big blue, it’s fine dining and its, well, finest!
Where: Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Rick Shores
Penning a fine dining list without Rick Shores would be a criminal. Another icon focusing on fresh, locally sourced produce with intention to share, this Pan-Asian institution has awards for dayzzzz. The multi-gazillion dollar ocean views from within are simply unparalleled and don’t even get us started on the world-famous Bug Rolls. IYKYK and if you don’t, drop everything and try them now. You’re welcome.
Where: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
The Fireplace
As the name suggests, expect cosy feels and epic wood-fired cuisine. Executive Chef Hamish and fellow culinary lord Randy Tablan showcase the finest locally sourced produce. And we’re not just talking about firing up the ovens with any ‘ole wood here – redgum wood is the chosen one, infusing each dish to perfection. If ever there was a (classy) party in your mouth, this is it.
Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Manor Circuit, Sanctuary Cove, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
Palette
With not one but two chef’s hats to its name courtesy of The Australian Good Food Guide, need we say more. Situated in the stunning HOTA Gallery, Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law draws inspo from the artworks on display and major exhibitions to show just how naturally art and food blends. Our tip: order the Line Caught Coral Trout with leek cannelloni, teardrop tomato, micro cucumber. Insert (fancy) drool here. You can’t go wrong here.
Where: HOTA Gallery, Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Kiyomi
With a menu created by visionary Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima (and awards up the wazoo), Kiyomi gives diners a modern, yet authentic taste of Tokyo – sans the long-haul flight! As you explore the innovative dishes, you’ll quickly see why it has earned itself a reputation as one of the town’s most talked-about restaurants. Our tip: order the Scallop Sashimi, Spanner Crab, Compressed Watermelon and Yuzu Honey, and pair it with one of the signature sakes.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Citrique
Famous for its breakfast buffet, weekend-long lunch, award-winning seafood market experience buffet, and exciting Modern Australian a la carte dishes, it’s the ultimate fine dining experience. Calling the beautiful Gold Coast home, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s Citrique restaurant is a stunner. Let Executive Chef Paul Smart show you why is a master of his craft…and his craft is crafting unforgettable five-star meals.
Where: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The North Room
At The North Room, the mantra is to always keep guests intrigued with an ever-changing food and wine list. They believe we eat with our eyes (same), so the incredible eats here not only captivate the tastebuds, but activate an unparalleled multi-sensory experience. Smaller, share style dishes focused on a few primary, seasonal ingredients create a relaxed, contemporary fine dining experience to remember.
Where: 1/2527 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Social Eating House
This award-winning local treasure has emerged bigger and better since its sleek, New York luxe makeover, eclipsed only by its incredible menu. The back-to-back recipient for the People’s Choice ‘Chef of the Year’ Award, owner and Executive Chef Matthew Jefferson along with Head Chef Youngkyu “YK” Reu, treat diners to the epitome of modern Australian and international cuisine perfection. An absolute MUST.
Where: The Oracle Boulevard, Shop 137/3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Restaurant Labart
This Australian cuisine specialist offers a small, frequently changing menu showcasing the best seasonal, local produce – and we’re superfans. Delighting tastebuds with sophisticated and perfectly balanced flavours, everything from the warm rustic ambiance to the staff’s impeccable knowledge of every morsel they serve up, the experience is faultless. Do yourself a favour and opt for the wine pairing. It’s worth its weight in grapes.
Where: 2a/8 West Street, Burleigh Heads
Words by Bianca Trathen.
