This tastes like a flavour record, petals!

22 August 2024

65 #treats to eat at this year’s Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

#treats just keeps getting bigger and tastier! For the 75^th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers this year there’s a record 65 floral-inspired #treats to savour, including six regional venues taking part!

#treats is the regional food trail that takes place as part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Introduced in 2020, #treats (standing for Toowoomba Region EATS) features signature springtime dishes from cafes, restaurants and bars inspired by Toowoomba’s most famous event, all priced between $10 and $20.

From a sweet treat at The Baker’s Duck called Raspberry Peach Blossom, made from croissant pastry and filled with vanilla mascarpone, citrus biscuit, peach and raspberry compote, topped with a peach-glazed raspberry mousse, to a rainbow pasta dish at Fritz Pasta and an orange blossom and pistachio gelato at Gelatissimo, the lineup covers breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as scrummy desserts, and signature drinks.

Kajoku has created a dish called the Dumpling Festival, featuring stuffed zucchini flowers, handmade kimchi mandu, and pork gyoza all served with pan-fried zucchini roll and baby zucchini, topped with a soy glaze and edible flowers. Sister café Kajoku Backdoor is paying tribute to Table Top Mountain/Meewah, Toowoomba’s famous landmark, in Bingsoo form! That means Korean shaved sweetened milk ice, matcha and misutgaru powder, with a core of sweet red bean “magma” and a vanilla ice cream cloud, plus some intrepid teddy mountaineers!

At Highfields, Savour This Eatery has a fantastic lunch – house made buttermilk fried chicken fillet with a bacon peanut butter sauce, lettuce, onion and a touch of Frank’s Hot Sauce served on a choice of burger bun. For waffles lovers, Ground Up Café has a breakfast waffle topped with berry mousse, pistachio gelato and a petally perfect lavender infused maple syrup. FULL LIST OVER PAGE.

“Flowers and flavour are one of the world’s great double acts and this year at Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers we have a record number of flavour makers taking part in #treats,” Toowoomba Region Councillor James O’Shea said. “We are famed for our incredible produce and flavours, and during the event where Toowoomba shines on the national stage, we can give locals and visitors alike a tasty food adventure for the whole month. Bon Appetit!”

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers features over 80 amazing events this year from 13 September to 7 October, with the theme, It’s A Party because this is the 75^th anniversary of the event! A MUST VISIT is Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park, home to amazing flower displays and jaw-dropping blooms. In fact, there’s 37.2 million petals across all of Toowoomba’s parks in the city and Spring Bluff!!

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2024

13 September to 7 October

tcof.com.au

2024 #treats for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

95 Mary Street 
Traditional Portuguese tart with flaky crust and caramelised custard paired with a velvety-smooth mug of Botero coffee.            

Blue Mountain Hotel 
Char sui pork salad – sticky smoked pork belly paired with honey cashews, apple slices and fresh salad, all drizzled with a zesty ginger lime dressing. Lunch or dinner.

Bru Vibe Cafe
Acai bowl with fresh fruit, granola, creamy peanut butter and coconut. Breakfast.

Burger Urge Toowoomba South
Smashing Pumpkin Burger – spiced pumpkin patty, smoky tomato relish and crispy onions. Lunch or dinner.

Burrow Café
Bibimbap bowl with sautéed carrot, zucchini, spinach, Swiss brown mushrooms and bean sprouts on a bed of kimchi rice, topped with a crispy fried egg and a Korean gochujang sauce. Lunch.

Club Glenvale
Slow cooked maple and red wine beef cheek, served alongside creamy mashed potato and steamed vegetables. Lunch or dinner.

Dream Cafe & Bar        
Spicy bang bang pork burger served with bang bang slaw and chips. Lunch or dinner.

Engine Room Cafe & Restaurant
A juicy lamb chop topped with sautéed green beans and gravy, served with a side of chips. Lunch.

Fritz Pasta       
Fresh rainbow pasta – vegetable fettucine, chicken, cheese and garlic sauce, finished with parmigiano reggiano and basil.             Lunch or dinner.

Gelatissimo   
Orange blossom and pistachio gelato – a deliciously nutty orange and pistachio gelato especially for Spring!

George Banks Rooftop Bar
Mini Spring savoury tasting plate with arancini, pork belly, cheese, cured local meats, and crackers.

Gip’s Restaurant          
Spicy pulled pork burger with coleslaw and thick cut chips. Lunch.

GPO Bar and Cafe       
Asian style BBQ pork belly served with your choice of mashed potatoes or java rice, and roasted broccolini. Lunch.

Ground Up Cafe           
Waffles topped with berry mousse, pistachio gelato and a petally perfect lavender infused maple syrup. Breakfast.

Hello Harry The Burger Joint  
Chicken Caesar Burger – a grilled chicken patty, crispy bacon and a fried egg with cos lettuce, parmesan and Caesar dressing on a brioche bun. Lunch or dinner.

Highlands Cafe             
Raspberry cake with coffee syrup, raspberry mousse, white chocolate cream, and coffee-infused meringue shards. Pair it perfectly with a 12oz Raspberry Candy speciality coffee, featuring notes of sweet raspberries and creamy white chocolate.     

Hog’s Breath Cafe       
Creamy Biscoff cheesecake served with butterscotch sauce, whipped cream and Biscoff biscuit crumble.             

In a Dash Coffee          
Chocolate lined donuts filled with your choice of coffee or hot chocolate. The perfect sweet treat!                                        

J. Jaks Family Pies       
The classic charm of spiced apples married with the elegance of rose-infused custard, encased in a flaky, handcrafted puff pastry. Served with your choice of a locally made Crows Nest soft drink.                            

Jillys Cafe        
Donut forget to #treats yourself – grilled cinnamon donuts, passionfruit cheesecake, mallow fluff, zesty lemon curd, berries, meringue, raspberry rocks, macadamia cookie crumb, toasted coconut ice cream and Persian fairy floss.  

Kajoku – Korean & Japanese Cuisine   
Dumpling Festival – stuffed zucchini flowers, handmade kimchi mandu, and pork gyoza all served with pan-fried zucchini roll and baby zucchini, topped with a soy glaze and edible flower garnish. Lunch or dinner.

Kajoku Backdoor          
Table Top / Meewah Bingsoo – Toowoomba’s famous landmark, in Bingsoo form! Korean shaved sweetened milk ice, matcha and misutgaru powder, with a core of sweet red bean “magma” and a vanilla ice cream cloud, plus some intrepid teddy mountaineers!            

Karan-An: Asian Boutique Restaurant
Short beef ribs adobo with Java rice – a Filipino-style adobo made with fork-tender short ribs braised in a savoury and slightly tangy sauce. Lunch or dinner.

Kasian Restaurant       
Eggplant clay pot with Vietnamese caramel, chili, pepper, garlic and onion, topped with crispy shallot, fried garlic, coriander and served with steamed Jasmine rice. Lunch or dinner.

Koala Carte    
Crispy Korean fried chicken with loaded chips and caramelised onion.   Lunch or dinner.

KuroBeko        
A velvety smooth bite of sparkling sake and strawberry, with a subtle note of citrus that compliments a sweet creamy base.

Loulaki             
Baklava Soft Serve – house made pistachio ice cream, flaky pastry soaked in cinnamon honey syrup and pistachio praline.

Mouse Proof Brewing
Street Naughty Marietta tacos with passion flower gose – marinated chicken soft shell tacos with poppin’ salsa, lavender infused aioli and Marietta flowers. Accompanied by a pot of passionfruit and elder flower sour. Flavours to put a spring in your step! Lunch or dinner.

Muller Bros    
Spring Bliss – white chocolate panna cotta with Spring berry coulis and toasted coconut.

New Brew Cafe            
Grilled halloumi and mushrooms, avocado topped with a poached egg on toasted sourdough.  Breakfast.

Ortem Cafe    
Spring citrus, berry and gin tart – house made shortcrust pastry filled with lush flavours of blueberries, zesty orange and gin, served with a silky white chocolate mousse, candied orange, crisp shards of white chocolate and a drizzle of orange and gin.

Padthai @ Margaret Street     
Padthai noodle – a classic Thai dish revamped for Carnival! Wok tossed pad Thai noodles with a variety of colourful veggies (like the flowers in a garden!) Choose a vegetarian option, or your choice of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, prawn and fish. Lunch or dinner.

Piccolo Papà  
Hand made black truffle and mozzarella croquettes with cacio e pepe mayonnaise.

Potters Boutique Hotel            
French crepes filled with lemon custard crème and blueberry compote. Breakfast.

Queensland Museum Cobb+Co
A selection of Cobb’s handmade sweet treats, including slices and truffles, packed ready for a picnic in the park!                                          

Rak Thai Kitchen          
Deep fried pork belly stir fried with vegetables, basil and chilli paste. Lunch or dinner.

Ruby Lane Flower Co 
A drink of your choice, nestled amongst an assortment of fresh spring flowers. The perfect combo!       

Sage & Butler Cafe      
Burnt Basque cheesecake with whipped earl grey ganache, matcha meringue and white chocolate.        

Sofra Turkish Cuisine 
Kanat – chargrilled marinated chicken wings served with a spicy mayo and lemon. Lunch or dinner.

Stellarossa     
A colourful and flavour packed salad with a sweet and earthy roast baby beetroot and turnip garden, marinated goats cheese and a salty herbaceous dressing. Lunch.

Stoney the Fishmonger            
Stoney’s Queensland green prawns marinated in zesty chilli, ginger and garlic, served alongside a refreshing Asian-style salad with mild flavours.           Lunch or dinner.

Sushi Asakusa Shop
Seasonal floral cream cheese chicken sushi rolls, crafted by Sushi Asakusa’s expert sushi chef. Delicately balanced flavours with premium ingredients create a unique, mouthwatering experience. Lunch or dinner.

Tailgate Sports Bar      
Buffalo Chicken Cob Loaf          

The Baker’s Duck         
Raspberry Peach Blossom – made from croissant pastry and filled with vanilla mascarpone, citrus biscuit, peach and raspberry compote, topped with a peach-glazed raspberry mousse.              

The Coffee Club           
Decadent double chocolate loaded frappe topped with cream and dusted with chocolate powder.

The Finch        
Tom Yum Soup – a delicious Thai fragrant prawn soup with lemongrass, kaffir lime, tomato and mushroom. Lunch.

The Irish          
Pancetta and pea risotto with pea puree and a snow pea, macadamia and mint pesto.  Lunch or dinner.

The Other Bird              
Soba noodles with a topping of edamame, carrot, and red onion, drizzled, with a toasted sesame and tahini dressing,  finished off with sesame seeds, crushed peanuts and fresh coriander. Lunch.

The Spotted Cow
A pair of perfect prawn rolls – toasted brioche, sriracha mayo, Australian prawns, shredded lettuce, dill and lemon.        

The Store Room           
Mini high tea for a picnic in the park – beetroot & goats cheese tart, corn fritter with smoked salmon & kewpie mayo, parmesan cup with poached pear salad, chocolate tart & a carrot cake bliss ball.

Toowoomba Coffee House     
Waffle with crunchy fried chicken, special home-made Korean sauce and salad dressing, topped with parmesan cheese and nuts. Lunch.

Toowoomba Sports Club          
Chicken and tarragon vol-au-vent, served with a crisp Spring salad and green goddess dressing. Lunch or dinner.

Urban Grounds Cafe  
Harissa coated roast pumpkin and carrots served on a bed of fresh greens, finished with cucumber, edamame, pearl cous cous, pomegranate and green goddess dressing.       Lunch or dinner.

Urth Cafe & Co
Benny Fiesta loaded with chorizo, pesto, sundried tomatoes, fetta, pinenuts, poached eggs and hollandaise. Breakfast.

Vapiano           
Flower Blossom – a blend of strawberry liqueur, Malibu, creamy coconut, lime and vanilla syrup.             

W Coffee & Co
Violent Violet Frappe – a coffee frappe with floral violet aromas.

Wellbean Co 
Garden Delight – lemon filled custard tart topped with fresh glazed fruit.

Yodthai Restaurant     
Spring boat noodles – traditional Thai boat noodles with tender braised beef and rice noodles in an aromatic broth. Lunch or dinner.

Zack’s Restaurant        
Alize Blossom – a beautiful blend of Bleu Alizè Cognac Liqueur with hints of passionfruit, cherry and ginger, Licor 43 with notes of Mediterranean Citrus and botanicals, perfectly finished with zesty lime and sugar syrup.             

REGIONAL

Mr Fox & The Orchard Thief – 35 Main Street, Meringandan
Mr Fox’s #treats trio includes a signature smooth takeaway Merlo coffee with a luscious ‘Cas Cakery’ cupcake and a small local posy.

Relish Cafe & Catering – 1/10498 New England Highway, Highfields
Toasted bagel and smeared with whipped caper & dill cream cheese, topped with classic smoked salmon and local avocado. Lunch.

Rusty’s Bar & Grill – 51 Helen Street, Pittsworth
Vanilla panna cotta with a strawberry and raspberry jelly topped with fresh berries and mint.   

Savour This Eatery – 5/10522 New England Highway, Highfields
House made buttermilk fried chicken fillet with a bacon peanut butter sauce, lettuce, onion and a touch of Frank’s Hot Sauce served on your choice of burger bun. Lunch.

The Mill Inn – 33 McKenzie Street, Millmerran
Succulent prawns, bacon and crumbled feta in a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs, served on pasta. Lunch or dinner.

Wild Honey Café – 9913 New England Highway, Cabarlah         
Avocado Smash – avocado, fetta, house dukkah and balsamic vinegar on Turkish bread, with pico de gallo and lemon. Breakfast.