Dominique to shine a spotlight on local producers

Shining a light on the delicious products sourced from her own “backyard” is what makes the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival one of Dominique Rizzo’s favourite events.

The celebrity chef, author and presenter from Brisbane will make Moreton Bay’s bounty of amazing, fresh produce the focus of her dishes when she takes to the stage for the 2024 festival.

Held over three scrumptious days from August 23-25 at Apex Park in Woody Point, the festival is Queensland’s biggest foodie celebration with special appearances by celebrity chefs, live cooking demonstrations, unique dining experiences, pop-up bars and restaurants, food trucks, local produce, market stalls, music, hands-on workshops and more.

“As the festival is held in my backyard, so to speak, I am thrilled to be supporting a beautiful local event,” Dominique says.

“The festival to me is one of the best in the region and really celebrates the bay, our love of the outdoors, local produce, and coming together as a community.”

With a reputation for inspiring people to create healthy meals using fresh, seasonal and local produce, Dominique says her aim is to connect growers and producers with consumers during each of her demonstrations.

“Using local ingredients has always been important as they tell the story of our area, our community and showcase the best of what the region has to offer,” Dominique explains.

“This year, there will be an exciting new stage at the festival called The Kitchenette where I will be emceeing, and there is going to be a personal focus on promoting all the hardworking producers who attend the festival.

“My job will be to bring their ingredients, products and stories to life through food.

“I will be interviewing each of the producers on stage and creating a special connection between them, their products and attendees.

“It’s a real honour to see a crowd in front of me smiling, engaging and then buying the products I am using on stage.

“I want to ensure people go away with at least two products in their bags.”

Having been a favourite chef at the festival for many years, Dominique says she is looking forward to collaborating with some of her favourite producers as well as some new faces. 

Joining Dominique at the festival will be her former Ready Steady Cook co-stars Matt Golinski and Alastair McLeod, as well other renowned chefs Georgia Barnes, Adam Liaw and Brent Draper, who all appeared on MasterChef Australia.

When she isn’t on stage whipping up fresh and healthy dishes, Dominique loves immersing herself in the festival and stocking up on gifts for loved ones.

“You will usually find me eating and sampling the food from the vendors or wandering around with bags full of local products as it’s where I do my Christmas shopping,” Dominique says.

“The gift of food is the gift that keeps on giving.”

With tickets on sale now, Dominique is urging all foodies to secure theirs early so as to not miss out.

“Not only is the festival an enjoyable day out for the whole family, but it’s also a great way to learn some new cooking skills, catch up with your favourite chefs, enjoy some of our local wines and spirits, and pick up the best products all in one spot.”

Where to see Dominique at the festival

Dominique will be appearing exclusively at The Kitchenette Stage over the three days of the festival, where she will create an array of mouth-watering dishes.

Catch her live on stage on:

Friday: 10.30am-11.30am and 3.45pm-4.30pm

Saturday: 10.30am-11.30am and 3.45pm-4.30pm

Sunday: 10.30am-11.30am and 3pm-3.45pm

Entry to the Kitchenette is included in your General Admission ticket.

To book tickets, visit the Moreton Bay Food + Wine website.

Quick Q&A with Dominique

Q: What was your favourite meal as a child?

A: My dad’s Sicilian fried eggs for breakfast - eggs fried in olive oil, lots of pepper and salt and shavings of Parmesan cheese that melted when you cooked the eggs with a lid on the pan.

Q: What are some of your favourite ingredients that you always have at home in the fridge or the pantry?

A: Preserved lemons, olive oil, an Italian blend of mixed herbs I buy in Sicily, natural yoghurt, peeled tomatoes, garlic and a good homemade relish.

Q: What’s your top kitchen hack?

A: Cooking in bulk and freezing food in easy to heat cryovac bags. There are a lot of nights when I don’t feel like cooking.

Q: What are some food items you can’t live without?

A: Liquorice and macadamia nuts.

Q: If you could have a dinner party and invite three celebrities, who would you invite?

A: Sophia Loren, Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein.