A food festival schedule to savour

A MOUTH-WATERING programme of events was unveiled at the weekend for the fifth annual Savour Kilkenny Food Festival which takes place over the October bank holiday weekend.

The walls of Kilkenny Castle will form the backdrop for the festival with a free open-air food market on the Parade Plaza and in the Design Yard where foodies can sample the best of local and regional produce.

In a new development this year, the Set Theatre in John Street will host a range of cooking demonstrations and events, with celebrity chefs Donal Skehan and Catherine Fulvio topping the bill.

Skehan is hosting “A Taste of Craft” demonstration in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland to celebrate Year of Craft 2011. The young chef will showcase food with the work of local craftspeople.

Catherine Fulvio makes a return by popular demand after her successful appearance last year. Kilkenny-based chefs, Anne Neary, of Ryland House Cookery, and Edward Hayden, of Edward Entertains, will also feature over the weekend hosting a Made in Kilkenny Tapas workshop and a Sinful but Delicious Desserts demo.

Other highlights of this year’s expanded festival programme include a debate on “The Great Irish Food Fight” chaired by John McKenna, of the Bridgestone Guide; a medieval banquet on Halloween night; a “Feast of Chefs”; seafood workshops by six Kilkenny chefs; and a nutrition for sport and healthy lifestyle seminar with Kilkenny hurling star Michael Fennelly among other events.

Festival chairman Ger Mullally said organisers hope it will help local food producers, retailers, restaurateurs’ and hoteliers to meet the economic challenges in the present difficult environment.

“Kilkenny’s reputation as a food destination is increasing and we will reflect this by exhibiting the best Kilkenny and its hinterland has to offer by way of food,” he said.

“The festival is one of the building blocks to the development of a strong and vibrant food culture throughout Co Kilkenny.”