Crowds poured onto the historic Sugar Wharf on Saturday to enjoy a full day of culinary magic complete with tastings, presentations and a whole range of local products to sample and buy at the inaugural Carnivale 2013 event, A Taste of Paradise.

This innovative new event for Carnivale 2013 was a free community event.  It opened at 9am and the crowds were treated to an array of coffee stalls, breakfast bars with beer, cider and wine tastings for any who wanted to brave an early start.

While the crowds wandered at their own pace through the lines of stalls to taste paradise in all its many forms and enjoy the products from the many varied producers around the region, local and guest chefs took their turns throughout the day at the lecturns under the presentation marquee to impart their kitchen wisdom.  

Famous food writer, Natasha Mirosch welcomed the early crowds and explained the day under the marquee followed by Harrisons, Spencer Patrick, local butcher Todd Malone, Executive Chef, Nick Holloway from Palm Coves premier restaurant Nu Nu's, Celebrity Chef Ben O'Donoghue then cooked up a sensational storm during his presntation.  Local legend Tony Sassi created his signature dish, the Sassi tropical Zuppa di Pesce.  

Natasha Mirosch came back to chat with Fiona George from Broken Nose Vanilla about the art of growing vanilla.  Craig Squire, exec chef from Ochre Restaurant in Cairns presented how to cook bugs and prawn mousseline while chatting with Kerry Heaney about the goals of the regional food network, Taste Paradise.  

Tony Woodall chatted through the process of producing his unique and very popular tropical fruit wines and finally My Kitchen Rules contestant David Hopgood with 2012 winner Leigh Sexton rounded up this fascinating day of food, wine a taste of Paradise with an entertaining hour.

Port Douglas delivered a glorious sunny day with a clear blue azure sky to make this day one to remember for all those lucky enough to come along and savour the delicious dishes and culinary magic that is a 'Taste of paradise'.  

And those who didn't make it will no doubt hear that this is not an event to be missed next year!