Show plans to seduce visitors’ taste buds

THE organisers of Charleville’s two-day agricultural show this coming Saturday and Sunday are planning to seduce the taste buds of visitors.

They are putting a big focus on a “Flair for Food” attraction, featuring artisan producers, farmers’ markets and home produced products.

Show Secretary Nora Leahy said Clodagh McKenna will give three cookery demonstrations, displaying her culinary skills, highlighting the diversity, quality and flavours of locally produced, natural and wholesome foods.

“There will be a marquee in a prime location on the showgrounds for live demonstrations and indoor stands of related products and goods,” said Ms Leahy.

“Artisan producers from the local farmers’ markets will be situated adjacent to the marquee which we expect will be a veritable hive of activity.

“Visitors to the show will have an opportunity to meet with producers, taste their foods and buy their products,” she said.

Other workshops and demonstrations will showcase the skills of local producers in making butter, cheese, honey and wine. There will be cookery demonstrations and food tasting.

The “Taste for Food” feature will be one of the highlights of the show which will be held on a 45-acre site and will cost €140,000 to stage.

Show chairperson Bernie Cahill said the vast outlay of mounting the show would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors, many of whom have been with the event since it was founded in 1979.

“Without the generous support of our sponsors, especially our major sponsors Kerry Agribusiness, it would not be possible for us to run our show at such high standards,” Ms Cahill said.

Some 300 classes will be judged across a variety of categories ranging from cattle, horses and sheep to horticulture, agriculture, arts and crafts, cookery and show jumping.

Trade stands, a vintage rally, a demonstration of handcrafts, competitions, a pets corner and novelty attractions will also be featured.