Dinner in the Dark offers plenty of food for thought
Published on 22 April 2026
Dining by candlelight might create a romantic atmosphere but there's not much to love about being unprepared for dinners in the dark during an extended power outage.
Recognising the need to continue to build community resilience, Scenic Rim Regional Council and Scenic Rim Cooking Classes have combined to present a series of free Dinner in the Dark events across the region, offering food for thought for every household facing loss of power during extreme weather or natural disasters.
The evening sessions will feature cooking demonstrations showing how tasty, nutritious one-pot-wonders can be prepared from basic pantry staples with a long shelf life.
Scenic Rim's Local Disaster Management Group Chair Councillor Stephen Moriarty said the 2023 Christmas Night storm and Tropical Cyclone Alfred highlighted the need for community members to be prepared to weather extended power outages.
"The Dinner in the Dark events show that there are many more enjoyable options than simply canned fruit and vegetables during a disaster situation," he said.
"The Recipes for Resilience cookbook has great ideas for no-cook or simple individual and family meals that cater for all ages and tastes and can be easily prepared.
"There are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options and even delicious desserts that can make the disaster experience a bit more palatable.
The Recipes for Resilience cookbook also includes disaster preparedness information.
There's a section on understanding power outages, pre-planning for loss of electricity, a checklist for electrical safety and the safe use of cooking alternatives including barbecues and camp stoves.
The booklet also offers advice on stocking a disaster-ready pantry and handy tips for food safety.
"When it comes to frozen or refrigerated foods following an extended power outage, the golden rule is 'if in doubt, throw it out'," Cr Moriarty said.
The Dinner in the Dark events run from 5.30pm to 8pm and include a light meal and live music and will be held on the following dates at these locations:
- Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds, Tamborine Mountain, Thursday 14 May
- Flying Bean Café, Old School Hall Beechmont, Thursday 21 May
- Davidson Park, Beaudesert, Thursday 4 June, and
- Kooralbyn Community Centre, Kooralbyn, Thursday 11 June.
Places for Dinner in the Dark are limited and can be booked by emailing recovery@scenicrim.qld.gov.au or online.
This event is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.