SHERATON CELEBRATES THE END OF THE HARVEST SEASON WITH SPECIAL UNVEILING AND LONG TABLE DINNER UNDER THE STARS
Be the first to see a unique piece of Douglas Shire history and indulge in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience Harvest Feast Under The Stars on Saturday 18th November at the iconic beachfront Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas.
14 November 2023: Guests, locals and visitors will come together at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort to celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest season with the unveiling of a unique piece of Douglas Shire history and a special long table dinner under the stars.
On Saturday the 18th of November 2023, descendants of the region’s first Italian cane cutters will gather at Port Douglas’ most iconic beachfront resort for the unveiling of a new display that pays homage to the history of the local sugar cane industry.
Generously donated by Peter and Maureen Verri, with special thanks to Peter and Judy Rossi, the new display in Daintree Bar showcases an authentic cane cutter shirt from 1928 and antique machete, embodying the arduous hand-cutting era of sugarcane predating modern mechanization.
Long before tourism became the leading industry of the Port Douglas region, sugar cane was the backbone of the economy. The simple green stalk has played an integral role in the story of Tropical North Queensland since the late 19th Century. The trade brought prosperity to the region and an Italian legacy that lives on today. Following World War 1, a wave of cane cutters arrived in the north seeking a better life in Australia. Today, many local farmers and business owners in our community are third, fourth and fifth generation descendants of these early enterprising Italians.
General Manager of Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, Steve Molnar, expressed pride in being an advocate of the local sugar cane industry. “We are proud to enhance our connection with the local community through our signature resort experiences and this new display in the Daintree Bar. The story of sugar cane is a pivotal piece of Port Douglas history and we consider it an honour to share this tale with both visitors and locals. Through unique experiences, we aim to facilitate meaningful connections by inviting people together to share in the rich history of Tropical North Queensland.”
Following the unveiling, the resort’s beachfront lawn will come to life in celebration of the end of the Harvest Season with a unique Italian shared feast under the stars. Set around a long table, the Harvest Feast will feature a live Italian Opera performance and stories told by the region’s sugar farming pioneers.
Attendees will savour an Italian family-style feasting menu, featuring fresh locally-grown produce and a special ravioli dish inspired by a Verri family recipe. Frank Dangelico from The Wine Tradition has also curated a selection of fine Italian wines to complement the culinary experience.
Guests, locals and visitors are all invited to Sheraton’s Harvest Feast, with tickets available here. Join us for an evening of history, culture and delectable cuisine as we commemorate the end of the Sugar Cane Harvest Season in true Port Douglas style.
DETAILS
Event: Italian Harvest Feast
Date: Saturday the 18th of November
Time: 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Book: Click here for more information and to book.
