Mark your calendars from 17-26 May 2024 as Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year it’s teaming up with locals favourite pub North Byron Hotel as its presenting partner. With a lineup curated by celebrated chef Louis Tikaram, this 10 day event, spanning two weekends, honours the amazing produce, restaurants, arts and wellness community, and counterculture of the Northern Rivers.
As the Official Watering Hole for the festival, North Byron Hotel is the perfect venue to kick off the festivities or unwind after a day of indulgence. From live music performances to cooking demonstrations, kids pony rides with Zephyr Horses, and cheese and wine tastings, there’s something for everyone with the pub’s daily activities. All Caper Festival ticket holders will receive a complimentary drink coupon with every purchase too.
“Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival is focused on celebrating the vibrant food culture of Byron Bay, and North Byron Hotel is proud to be a part of it. We have a lot of fun activities lined up, and look forward to welcoming festival-goers as they join our community gatherings.” says Jedd Rifai, licensee of North Byron Hotel.
Hailing from the Northern Rivers in NSW, this year’s food curator Louis Tikaram brings a wealth of culinary expertise and deep connection to the region. Raised on a 110- acre farm in Mullumbimby, Louis’ journey led him to work alongside industry heavyweights – from Tetsuya’s to Longrain in Sydney, and trendy Southeast Asian rooftop bar E.P & L.P in West Hollywood, Louis is one chef who knows his way around an award-winning kitchen. Now at Stanley restaurant in Brisbane with a menu of Chinese and Cantonese eats that make great use of ingredients at their seasonal peak.
“Being part of the first-ever Caper Festival as a guest chef back in 2022 was a blast, and now I’m stoked to come back home to Byron Shire and curate. With heaps of mates in the chef and supplier scene and top-notch produce at our fingertips, we’ve got some cracking events lined up. Can’t wait to get stuck in and show off what we’ve got cooking!” – Chef Louis Tikaram
Key events include; Taste the Cape official opening party held at Three Blue Ducks, featuring a canapé line-up from over a dozen renowned local chefs and restaurants including Dave Moyle from Salty Mangrove (inaugural festival organiser), Jason Saxby from Raes on Wategos, Ben Devlin from Pipet, Matt Stone from You Beauty, Mindy Woods from Karkalla, Karl and Katrina Kanetani from Beach Byron Bay, Pepsi Nakbunchuay from Bang Bang, Robbie Oijvall from Lightyears, Bruno Conti from The Hut, Marcello Polifrone from Harvest, and Darren Robertson from Three Blue Ducks; Chefs Night Out promises a wild and delicious evening spent with some of Australia’s best chefs, bouncing from venue to venue while snacking and sipping, and picking up passengers along the way; and The Brunswick Picture House Dinner and Show chef takeover is back with Rock the Casbah, a live Arabian Nights Cabaret performance with The Smoking Camel restaurant serving up a Middle Eastern menu.
A highlight of the festival is the We Like to Tiki official closing party at North Byron Hotel, where Louis Tikaram, Jake Kellie (Arke, Adelaide), Ross Magnaye (Serai, Melbourne), and Jedd Rifai (North Byron Hotel) will delight guests with Pacific snacks cooked over an open fire, paired with refreshing drinks. Attendees are encouraged to dress loud and dance the night away to live music and DJs with the closing after-party kicking on late.
Jake Kellie and Ross Magnaye will also be popping up for a special intimate dining event presented by Three Meadows Estate in the Byron hinterland where they will be cooking up a feast over an outdoor fire while guests enjoy sundowners and sway to acoustic tunes before sitting down under the stars.
Elements of Byron, renowned luxury beachside resort, is the Official Hotel Partner of Caper Byron Bay and they are offering 15% off the best available rate across the festival dates with discount code CAPER.
Elements of Byron is a short stroll from the North Byron Hotel, the official Watering Hole of the Festival, which will also be running a courtesy bus to each event (to/from the pub). With the convenience of the solar train also a short stroll from both, getting around the Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival has never been easier. And with plans for a festival village next year, the excitement is only just beginning.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this culinary adventure. For ticket purchases, visit the festival’s website.