But that was the bold gamble Jim Berardo and business partner Greg O’Brien took five years ago, when they bankrolled the first Celebration of Australian Food and Wine Noosa Style.

Jim says the inaugural event involved a tent-load of foodies paying homage to local producers, after special cooking classes held at Berardo’s in Hastings Street the day before.

And of course the goat farm in question was actually a Noosa-style farmstead turning out fabulous gourmet cheese.

“Putting on that first celebration was terrifying, especially on the bank balance, but it proved everyone wanted to come here to meet the upper echelon of food people like Greg and Peter Doyle,” Jim said.

The latest celebration gets cooking at Settler’s Cove from this Friday and runs until Sunday (May 16-18).

More than 120 of Australia’s premier chefs, winemakers and food writers will get a taste of what Noosa and the rest of the Sunshine Coast can offer their tastebuds.

“There is no other region like it Australia, where the produce is so close from the farm gate to the plate ... or the boat to the plate.”

The three-day celebration has become the biggest event of its kind in the state, if not Australia, but Jim, who oversees the whole extravaganza, knows the magic still works because the festival is made up of lots of small events which maintains the intimacy.

“We don’t want a festival held in large (hotel) conference rooms where everything is impersonal,” Jim said.

“It can be nerve-wracking, very frustrating, but on Friday morning when the gates open it’s just magic.”

The magic includes cooking classes with Australia’s top chefs, food tastings from Noosa restaurants, wine tastings from leading Australian wineries, and a culinary exhibition showcasing the latest in gourmet foods, cooking appliances and cookware.

Vanessa Amorosi will provide entertainment at a live open-air concert on the Sunday, along with James Morrison, Deni Hines and Marcia Hines – ensuring all the ingredients are there for a rare feast.

For full program details, visit www.celebrationofaustralianfoodandwine.com.au.

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