Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Bait to Plater’s patiently waiting for a great feed.
Fresh, local seafood will take centre stage at this year's Great Barrier Reef Festival, with one of the Whitsundays' best-known restaurateurs inviting guests to experience the region's produce at its seasonal best.
Hosted at 74 Islands Distillery, the multi-course seafood lunch will showcase a menu built around the freshest local catch available.
Coming out of retirement, the experience is guided by Kev Collins, co-owner of Fish D'vine, whose connection to local seafood stretches well beyond the kitchen.
A lifelong fisherman and passionate chef, Collins has spent decades championing the Whitsundays' seafood industry, working closely with small-scale local fishers and encouraging diners to discover species beyond the region's better-known favourites.
For Collins, local seafood is about more than what's on the plate. He has long believed the Whitsundays' waterways are a pantry worth celebrating, with every season bringing different flavours and opportunities to showcase the diversity of the region's catch. That philosophy has helped shape both his restaurant and his reputation as one of the region's leading advocates for sustainable, locally sourced seafood.
Throughout the afternoon, Collins will introduce each course, sharing stories from his years on the water and in hospitality while giving guests a deeper understanding of the seafood and the people behind it.
Rather than locking dishes weeks ahead of time, the menu is finalised just days before the event, allowing each course to reflect what's in season and at its peak.
Collins hopes the lunch encourages people to try something different and see just how much quality seafood is caught in local waters. The event will be held at 74 Islands Distillery, with tickets priced at $149 plus booking fee.
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