Waterford tucks into its first Festival of Food

WATERFORD’s first-ever Festival of Food kicks off tonight, with foodies young and old well catered for over the weekend.

An array of events and entertainment has been lined up by the organisers for the inaugural event, which will be officially opened in Dungarvan tonight by Minister Martin Cullen.

Celebrity chefs Richard Corrigan, Darina Allen and Paul Flynn will be on hand over the weekend to demonstrate their skills and pass off some of their knowledge to food fans. The festival will feature food trails across Dungarvan, as well as tasting sessions, cooking workshops, and arts and crafts markets.

Following tonight’s opening ceremony, festival-goers can follow food trails crisscrossing the town between centrally located restaurants, with tickets at €30. Guests can follow the red trail (meat tasting dishes) or the turquoise trail (fish and vegetarian dishes) and they will be met at the tasting stops by local food producers.

The programme includes a selection of events for younger family members. Tomorrow, children can participate in Cake and Cookie Decorating workshops from 11am at Ard Scoil nDéise, as well as storytelling in the library; a demonstration of how butter was made in the “olden days” and learning about honey-making.

There will also be basket weaving, street theatre, jugglers, clowns and music creating a vibe on the streets. At the castle from 11am, Agri Aware will have a mobile farm and a Druid Chef will be in action for all the young festival goers.

Morning and afternoon cookery demonstrations will take place tomorrow at the Town Hall with broadcaster and Michelin starred chef Richard Corrigan, Paul Flynn and Eunice Power of Powersfield House in Dungarvan.

Secondary school chefs in the making will compete in the Fàilte Ireland-supported cookery competition in Colàiste Cathal Naofa today.

* www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com