Cook-off to spice up local food fest

Teams of teenagers are set to battle it out in a live cook-off as part of a Cork market town’s first food festival this weekend.

And with a host of top local artisan food producers lined up, the organisers of the Macroom Food Festival said there will be something to suit every palate.

The festival will open on Friday with food stalls, tastings, and cookery demos at indoor and outdoor venues across the town, including Market Square and the Castle grounds.

There will also be a “taste trail” through the town on Saturday, with €10 taste tickets allowing visitors to sample local food and drink in some of the town’s top eateries.

But organisers have also organised a teenage cookery competition, which will see students from Bishop McEgan College, St Mary’s Secondary School and Scoil Mhuire, Béal Athan Ghaorthaidh, Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhic Íre and Coachford College use local ingredients to create signature dishes.

Two iPads are up for the grabs for the winners.

Macroom Food Festival spokeswoman Catherine Costello said they will ask students to create or modify a recipe for a dish of their choice using local food and ingredients.

Caroline O’Connell, a member of the festival’s organising committee, said the event is designed to promote the town’s flourishing reputation for fine food and artisan ingredients.

“Macroom has gradually become one of Co Cork’s key food destinations and there’s a fantastic enthusiasm in our locality for local food and local food ingredients,” she said.

“The format of a live challenge should add a dose of drama and excitement to the proceedings.”

A busking festival, with a prize fund of €1,000, will also take place. The winner will be announced at The Castle Hotel at 5.30pm on Saturday.

* www.macroomfoodfestival.com