23 March 2026: Chef and Festival Culinary Director Peter Kuruvita will return from Sri Lanka, where he is currently serving as Head Judge on MasterChef Sri Lanka, to open The Curated Plate 2026 with a cultural dining experience inspired by the food and traditions of the island nation.
Titled Island Fire, the opening event will take place at Alsahwa Estate on Friday 24 July, bringing together Sri Lankan cuisine, live performance and shared dining to mark the start of the Sunshine Coast’s annual food and drink festival.
Kuruvita, who is Culinary Director of The Curated Plate, will collaborate with Alsahwa Estate Head Chef Mal Meiers, reuniting the pair in the kitchen after working together previously. The event will also launch Alsahwa Estate’s Feast Chef Series.
Held in the estate’s gardens from 11.30am to 4pm, Island Fire will welcome 150 guests to an afternoon that blends food, fire and culture.
The event will begin with a live kottu demonstration by Kuruvita and Meiers, showcasing the iconic Sri Lankan street dish traditionally prepared on a hot plate with rhythmic chopping and flame. The cooking demonstration will be staged in the gardens, followed by performances from Sri Lankan drummers and dancers who will appear throughout the afternoon.
Guests will then gather at long shared tables set within the estate’s garden hut area for a shared menu inspired by Sri Lanka’s spice trails, with dishes emerging from the hearth as the afternoon unfolds.
Kuruvita said the event was designed to reflect the cultural traditions that surround food in Sri Lanka.
“Food in Sri Lanka is closely tied to rhythm, fire and community. It’s about gathering people together, cooking over flame and sharing dishes that carry generations of tradition,” said Kuruvita.
“Island Fire is a way of bringing that experience to the Sunshine Coast and opening The Curated Plate with something that celebrates both culture and connection.”
Inspired by the Sri Lankan concepts of Gini (fire) and Gewa (rhythm), the experience invites guests into an immersive afternoon of flavour, storytelling and performance.
The Curated Plate runs across the Sunshine Coast each winter, celebrating the region’s chefs, producers and venues through a series of events that showcase local ingredients and culinary talent.
Tickets for Island Fire will be released as part of The Curated Plate’s early ticket release in April.
The Curated Plate is delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council, Visit Sunshine Coast, and Tourism and Events Queensland, alongside industry and community collaborators.
- Event: Island Fire
- Date: Friday 24 July 2026
- Time: 11.30am – 4pm
- Location: Alsahwa Estate, Palmwoods
- Tickets: Early release tickets available April 2026
Ends.
For more information, images and video please reach out to:
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au
Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au