An eclectic picnic: Savour the flavour at summer music events

We talk to Samuel McKenna and Ali Dunworth — who have 25 years’ worth of experience working at festivals between them — and gets their top tips for finding delicious, nutritious food

You might be camping and living in a field, but it’s all about making nutritious festival food choices to ensure you have enough stamina to keep going for an entire weekend of fun.

Planning on heading to a festival this summer? No matter your age, musical interest or camping commitment, there’s an event for you. 

Whether you’re off to Kaleidoscope to sing along with The Waterboys, wanting to catch Jessie Ware at Beyond the Pale, or checking out new Irish artists from the Narolane Records collective at Electric Picnic, there’s a lot to listen to. 

But savvy festival goers know that these weekends are about more than just the music: To enjoy the event properly takes planning, especially when it comes to eating healthy food.

You might be camping and living in a field, but it’s all about making nutritious festival food choices to ensure you have enough stamina to keep going for an entire weekend of fun.

“A festival is a marathon, not a sprint,” says event manager Samuel McKenna of Foodhaus Productions. He and his company curate and programme the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food tent at the family-orientated music festival Kaleidoscope in Russborough House, Co Wicklow (June 28-30). 

Having attended festivals since he was 14, he’s seen what happens when attendees peak too soon. “It’s common to see the excitement of a festival goer make them go all out on the Friday night, only to be stuck in their tent for the remaining days.”

McKenna knows that it’s important to prioritise liquids — “whether that’s because you’ve been working too long in the sun all day or you’ve had too many other liquids all night”. 

His survival pack always contains “drinks to maintain electrolytes… that can vary from some nice kombucha or natural lemonade, the classic flat 7UP or a sachet of Dioralyte.”

He’ll also ensure his cuppa is sorted. “Tea bags (Barry’s, of course) and nice coffee.”

Samuel McKenna 

Food writer Ali Dunworth, who programmes and hosts the food and drinks stage Beyond The Plate at Beyond The Pale Music & Arts Festival in Glendalough Estate Co Wicklow (June 21-23), is also an advocate of having tea at the ready and hydrating properly. 

“I love a cup of tea when I wake up so I make sure to bring a thermos mug with me and make the tea before I go to sleep, screw the lid on tight and when I wake up I have a cup of tea ready to go in my tent. That always starts the day off well.”

Whether you’re spending long days working at a festival or attending as many performances as possible, getting a decent meal under your belt at an early stage is important. 

“Always make time for a proper breakfast or maybe brunch or lunch depending on when you get up,” says Dunworth, who first got hooked on festivals when she went to Glastonbury in 2003 and has spent the last ten years working at them.

Proper start to the day

Early risers at Kaleidoscope — anyone who has camped with kids will understand that situation — can head to the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food tent for a 9am porridge party at a time when many festival goers might still be asleep. While sometimes it feels like you’re putting the real world on pause while you’re at a festival, McKenna believes it is still essential to keep some sense of regularity in your life: “Make sure you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you can’t have porridge for breakfast, cereal will do fine also.”

While it can be tempting to head for traditional festival foods, things have moved on a lot since the chip vans of Féile 92. 

“I would stay away from a weekend of only burgers and chips or else you’ll end up feeling like rubbish,” says McKenna. 

“Spotting the best food at festivals can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible … seek out the Irish brands putting up stalls. Don’t feel weird asking about provenance, as it’s [too] easy to find a lot of rubbish at the festivals.”

For Dunworth, it’s worth putting in a little bit of work beforehand. “Research before you go to find out what food trucks are where. I think the most important thing is making sure you make time to eat. Don’t wait until you are too hungry or the queues are too long.”

In terms of your food choices, she recommends that you go for “foods that are filling and nutritious … Look out for festival favourites that you know will deliver what you need. 

"I’ll always have a pizza from The Big Blue Bus or anything from My Goodness, especially their restorative drinks. They can make you feel brand new. I’m always on the lookout for kombuchas or green juices to balance out the fun. And if there are oysters anywhere, I’ll knock them back — they are full of vitamins, minerals and zinc to keep you going.”

Ali Dunworth

To avoid waste, Dunworth and McKenna pack reusable containers. Dunworth ensures she has a KeepCup in her survival kit, while McKenna brings “a good water bottle … there will always be refillable water points around a festival, and it saves on plastic bottles. If you can bring your own plate and cutlery, then you’re on top of the game.”

Stay hydrated, eat a decent breakfast, avoid fast food, and seek out nutritious options. With these tips, you’ll be healthy enough to make the most of any and every festival experience this summer.

Top festival tips

Dunworth: “I always carry a bumbag with a battery pack for my phone, tissues and wipes, a fold-away poncho, sunscreen, sunglasses, antihistamines, a wine and bottle opener, a KeepCup and a mini first aid kit with plasters.”

McKenna: “I have a great cooler backpack from Yeti which will work for the whole weekend. Also, bring a sauce or condiment of your choice, whether it’s some hot sauce, mustard, mayo or whatever you fancy. It helps elevate any bang average sandwich you might find.”