Underground Chef: On the Road

The Granite Belt Table

A small-group Underground Chef food and wine weekend in Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt from 14–16 August.

What this weekend is about

This is not a large tour or a rushed itinerary. It’s a carefully hosted small-group weekend designed for people who enjoy food, wine and good company. Across the weekend, you will have time to settle in, explore the Granite Belt, enjoy selected dining experiences and connect with the stories behind the region’s produce, wines and people.

A food and wine weekend, hosted the Underground Chef way

Step away for a weekend of good food, local wine and Granite Belt hospitality. The Granite Belt Table brings together relaxed dining, regional producers, cellar-door moments and the kind of shared table experiences that turn a weekend away into something memorable. Hosted by Chef Ian and Karyn, this is Underground Chef beyond the screen - personal, welcoming and built around food worth travelling for.

The people behind the weekend

The Granite Belt Table brings together Underground Chef hospitality, regional food and local wine expertise. Hosted by Chef Ian and Karyn, the weekend is designed to feel personal, relaxed and carefully guided — with trusted Granite Belt partners helping bring the experience to life.

Chef Ian

Culinary HOST

With decades of professional kitchen experience, Chef Ian brings the food story to life across the weekend — sharing his chef’s eye for flavour, technique, produce and the moments that make a meal memorable.

Karyn

Event Host

Karyn brings the guest experience together, helping shape the weekend so it feels welcoming, organised and personal from the first enquiry through to the final shared table.

Ballandean Estate Wines

Wine Partner

As one of the Granite Belt’s iconic family-owned wineries, Ballandean Estate brings regional character, local knowledge and a deep connection to the wines and stories of the area.

Your Granite Belt weekend starts here

Take the scenic drive into Stanthorpe and leave the everyday behind for a couple of days.

Once you arrive, check into the Apple & Grape Motel, right in the heart of town, settle into your beautifully refurbished room with fine finishes and quality linens, and make yourself at home for the next two nights.

From there, take a wander through town, get your bearings, and perhaps enjoy a cleansing ale at the Stanny Brewhouse next door before the evening begins.

As evening settles in, make your way to Josie’s, one of Stanthorpe’s fresh new dining destinations, for the first shared-table experience of the weekend. Built around Italian-Australian nostalgia, bold seasonal food and good times, Josie’s brings a lively Granite Belt energy to the table — local wines, generous flavours and a menu made for sharing. It’s the perfect place to begin The Granite Belt Table weekend.
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A weekend of food, wine and Granite Belt flavour

Saturday morning
Start the day at your leisure with time to wander down to the local farmers market at the railway station.
Enjoy a light breakfast in town — Zest is always a good option for pastries and coffee — but go easy, because there’s a generous day of food and wine ahead.
Saturday food & wine trail
Our private coach departs at 10.30am sharp for a full day exploring the Granite Belt. Expect award-winning gourmet foods, artisan preserves, wineries, local handcrafted boutique brews, regional stories and a relaxed Italian lunch along the way.
We’ll return to the motel around 5.30pm, giving you time for a quick freshen up before dinner. At 6.45pm, our private transfer will collect us for the evening at Varias, with return transport back to the motel arranged after dinner.
Saturday evening at Varias
At 7.00pm, we come together again at Varias — a Granite Belt destination where food, wine, education and community meet. This is a refined dining experience and a beautiful way to round out the main day of the weekend.
Sunday self-drive trail
Sunday takes on a more relaxed pace. After breakfast at your leisure, we’ll head off on a guided self-drive trail back towards Warwick, with a few delicious stops along the way.
First stop is Sutton’s for all things apple — juice, cider and, of course, their famous apple pie (they are huge portions - you may want to share - or not).
From there, we’ll visit Stanthorpe Cheese, Queensland’s highest and coldest cheese shop, for a tasting and a chance to take a little Granite Belt flavour home.
Our final stop is Sam’s Farm Fresh Fruit & Veg, where you’ll meet local identity Sammy Giacca and explore a wonderful mix of fresh produce, artisan goods and regional favourites.
We expect to finish around lunchtime, leaving you free to continue your journey home with full hearts, new friends and a car that may be a little heavier than when you arrived.

Express your interest in The Granite Belt Table

Places are limited for The Granite Belt Table.
Date: August 14-16, 2026.
Price: $1,095 Per person twin share - (GST inclusive)
Complete the form below to express your interest, and we’ll be in touch personally with the next booking steps and availability details.

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