Weather fails to rain on the parade as five-day Cork on a Fork food festival kicks off

In spite of a move indoors, it was a tremendous evening and a superb celebration of the best of Cork food

Chefs put the finishing touches on the salad course during the VQ 'long table' dinner, which opened the five-day Cork on a Fork festival. Picture: Chani Anderson

In a city with an Irish name that translates as “marsh” or “bog” and in a county with the second-highest rainfall rates in the country, choosing to gamble with the weather gods is invariably one of the longest shots of all.

On foot of forecasts of heavy evening downpours, the decision was made to bring the outdoor long table dinner on MacCurtain St, Cork on a Fork food festival’s flagship event, indoors into the Metropole Hotel.

Early yesterday morning, the Good Day Deli restaurant in the Nano Nagle Centre was a hive of activity preparing for Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy to formally launch Cork on a Fork. It was then immediately followed by the opening event, Cork on a Fork media partner Irish Examiner’s business breakfast, sponsored by retail giant Musgrave.

But, amidst the general hubbub, festival manager Niamh Murphy and her crew were huddled around phones, hoping one of the multitude of weather forecasting apps being consulted would contradict the overwhelming predictions of heavy evening showers at precisely the same time dinner would be served up to the 450 diners slated to sit down at an outdoor table running the length of MacCurtain St.

A collaboration of 20 chefs led by Alex Petit put the finishing touches on salad course during the VQ Shared Table. Picture: Chani Anderson

With a decision required by 10am on whether to host the event outdoors or revert to the fallback plan of moving it inside to the Metropole Hotel, to allow sufficient time to build the temporary infrastructure necessary to host so many diners for a drinks reception followed by five-course dinner, Ms Murphy and her crew agonised over the call.

The decision switched back and forth, until eventually, head won out over heart and Ms Murphy and the Victorian Quarter (VQ) organising committee made the call to move it indoors, deciding a deluge of rainfall would hardly make the ideal sauce for the evening meal. This was after which every sunburst from behind the clouds was greeted as a two fingers up to the organisers, while intermittent and heavy showers justified a decision very reluctantly taken.

“At the end of the day,” said Ms Murphy, “We had to put the experience of the diners first.

Mary Hydes, Sandra Looney, and Lynda O’Donnell at the drinks reception on MacCurtain Street during the VQ Shared Dining Experience at the Cork on a Fork Festival. Picture: Chani Anderson

"Over 20 chefs from the VQ have poured their heart and soul into this menu, which ultimately is the primary focus of the night, and we couldn’t risk ruining their efforts with the forecasts being so unpredictable. We hope that the diners appreciated their huge effort.

“There was still an element of the outdoor experience and, thanks to TS Events, who played a blinder to help us, we secured a marquee at the last minute to ensure the drinks reception could be hosted on the street before going in to dine.”

The newly refurbished Metropole made for a splendid venue, and a genuinely superb dinner, considering it was being served up to 450 guests, was every bit as good as it would have been outside — a five-course sharing menu featuring the cream of Cork producers, beginning with snacks and then bread and dips, followed by starters of Castletownbere crab and Glenbrook Farm pork terrine. The main course featured Fitzgerald black Angus striploin “rosé”, while delicious dessert starred West Cork strawberries.

Lady Mayoress Karen Brennan enjoying the 'long table' dinner in the Metropole hotel on MacCurtain St. Picture: Chani Anderson

The first plates hit tables, a few brief showers fell, but after that, the evening remained dry and balmy. Whether that rain fell in sufficient volume to deter Corkonians, well used to the stuff, was briefly debated before the party resumed.

Chairman of the VQ business district, Liam Maher, said: “Despite the disappointment of having to move such a unique event indoors, we were delighted to host the opening night of Cork on a Fork Fest once again this year with an evening that not only showcases the food and flavours of Cork, but also highlights what can be achieved when we all work together to put a spotlight on this fantastic city which we all love. 

"This evening’s experience has been brought to you by 20 chefs and over 40 front-of-house staff from across the VQ, and it’s an incredible showcase of what we have to offer.”

In the heel of the hunt, if you choose to gamble in the weather gods’ casino, the house invariably wins. Either way, it was a tremendous evening and a superb celebration of the best of Cork food.

Maybe next year, we’ll just take the brollies and stay outside.