A SHARED zest for fresh food will bring together 10,000 people at the Maleny Showgrounds this weekend.

The third annual Real Food Festival opens today with a full schedule of workshops, cooking demonstrations, kids activities and clean food discussions planned until Sunday afternoon.

Festival director Julie Shelton created the event with a goal to celebrate local producers.

"I just love our producers, our food and what I am seeing coming out of it is more people are really caring about where their food comes from," Ms Shelton said.

"Real food is food that is good, clean and fair, good for the consumers, good for the planet and fair remunerating for the people who have prepared the food.

"When I travelled overseas to see what other countries were doing in terms of food, I felt so strongly that there was a real gap on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate our unique position.

"The local produce sector is growing and demand is building with consumers who are seeking out local food and produce which means more retailers are stocking the products."

More than 110 Sunshine Coast exhibitors will be at this year's event.

Festival highlights 

TODAY:

Mayor Mark Jamieson and Minister Andrew Powell cook-off

Cooking demos by chef Chris White from Hungry Feel, Cameron Matthews from Spicers Clovelly Estate, pasta making with Livio Regano and Chris Bond

Food and spirituality discussion

Food photography and practical permaculture workshops

TOMORROW:

Cooking demo with Tania Hubbard and The Long Apron Chef Cameron Matthews

Shane Bailey from Berardo's Noosa, seafood dishes

How to grow your own tea workshops