Returning for its fourth consecutive year, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is hosting its flagship culinary showcase, Culinary Stars, from 10 – 13 November. Over four nights, this series of bookable dining experiences will highlight JW Marriott’s global reputation for culinary excellence, uniting leading chefs from around the world in a journey inspired by the fundamentals: root, leaf, flower, and fruit.
Inspired by the moon’s profound connection to the earth and the biodynamic cycle of growth, the 2025 Culinary Stars program brings together distinguished chefs from JW Marriott hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. Each chef will share their signature style, heritage, philosophy, and artistry for four immersive evenings at the hotel’s award-winning Citrique restaurant.
The events will guide diners on a journey through the stages of life – from root, to leaf to flowers and finally fruit. Each menu has been curated to capture a different expression of flavour, aroma and visual storytelling, weaving in seasonal home-grown produce from the JW Garden.
Over four themed evenings, guests will be able to savour creations from a stellar lineup of JW Marriott talent, including Wallace Mua, Executive Chef at JW Marriott Auckland; Mehmet Faruk Yardimci, Executive Chef at JW Marriott Istanbul Marmara Sea; and James Paul Lorenzo, Chef de Cuisine at JW Marriott Hanoi, alongside JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s own Executive Chef, Paul Smart, and rising stars; Seiko Kobayashi, Mayukh Mazumdar, Yigu Kang, Selva Gopalakrishna, Joseph Raj, and Emir Kusbeci.
Kicking off the series on Monday 10th November with a menu inspired by Root, diners will enjoy a six-course menu celebrating the foundations of taste. Highlights include Red Prawn Lokma with black garlic and sweet potato, Poached Glacier Toothfish with lemon myrtle beurre blanc and caviar, and Pork Belly Nem with fresh herbs and peanuts, finishing with the playful JW Root Beer Dessert – a nod to JW Marriott’s origins as an A&W Root Beer franchise in 1927.
Tuesday’s Leaf theme showcases freshness and vibrancy through herbs. Dishes include Baby Lettuce with goat cheese and lavender, Hokkaido Scallop with truffle snow and caviar, Pan-Roasted Snapper with char siu and celeriac purée, and concludes with a Golden Leaf chocolate delice.
Wednesday’s event celebrates Flower, featuring Sea Bream Ceviche with passionfruit and nasturtium, Tuna Crisp with ponzu and white truffle oil, Barramundi with nduja and squid ink sable, and Charred Wagyu with lobster, zucchini flower, and foie gras. Dessert is a striking Red Rose hazelnut and chocolate mousse.
The event concludes on Thursday 13 November with Fruit – a six-course grand finale celebrating the Harvest of the Earth. From Newton’s Apple with scampi and citrus to Trevally Oka with mango and coconut yoghurt, the menu highlights flavour at its core. Dishes such as Blue Swimmer Crab with butternut pumpkin and yuzu gel, Blanched İçli Beef Köfte with pomegranate and truffle, and Duck & Cherry with macadamia cream and smoked beetroot before ending on a Mandarin Illusion chocolate mousse cake.
Ravinder Dhesi, General Manager, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa said: “Culinary Stars is our celebration of the extraordinary talent within the JW Marriott family. These world-class chefs bring creativity, skill, and passion to the table, showcasing the very best of our brand on a global stage. Combined with the Gold Coast’s exceptional local produce, this event offers guests a dining experience that reflects the pinnacle of culinary excellence.”
Event Details:
- Monday 10 November: Root – Grounded in Flavour, $129pp + $69 wine pairing
- Tuesday 11 November: Leaf – Herbal Awakening, $139pp + $69 wine pairing
- Wednesday 12 November: Flower – Petals of Flavour, $149pp + $69 wine pairing
- Thursday 13 November: Fruit – Harvest of the Earth, $159pp + $69 wine pairing
Bookings are now available at www.citriquerestaurant.com/culinary-stars, in support of The Gold Coast Community Fund.
- Monday 10th November at 6pm, book here
- Tuesday 11th November at 6pm, book here
- Wednesday 12th November at 6pm, book here
- Thursday 13th November at 6pm, book here
All events are hosted in Citrique Restaurant at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. 158 Ferny Avenue Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217.
Guests travelling to the Gold Coast to experience the Culinary Stars showcase can book their accommodation at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa via www.jwmarriottgoldcoast.com
