While highlighting Cork’s food culture, culinary talent, producers and businesses that make Cork the food capital that it is, sustainability will be high on the menu at Cork on a Fork Fest next week. From the original growth and processing of the county’s produce to the preparation and presentation of the finished dish, the festival programme includes many events and dining experiences centred around sustainable food practices. In addition to specific sustainability themed events Cork on a Fork Fest has a focus on locally sourced food throughout its whole programme.
These include:
Cork Food Policy Council Launch ‘A Resilient Local Food System for Cork’ - Nano Nagle
Curious about what a resilient local food system can look like for Cork? Join Cork Food Policy for the launch of their public consultation phase of the creation of a Sustainable & Healthy Food Policy for Cork City. The event takes place at Good Day Deli in Nano Nagle Place on Thursday 15th August from 5.30pm-7.00pm. It’s free to attend thanks to support from Good Day Deli and Supervalum but places must be reserved in advance. Book here.
Wild Foraging Adventure & Sharing Dinner
Go on a wild adventure foraging trip with Epi Rogan of The Glass Curtain. Following the trip, you will sample a taste of Cork with the fruits of your forage at a delicious sharing dinner in the restaurant, with expert wine pairing.
Friday 16th August @ 2pm. The Glass Curtain. Tickets €135 with wine pairing
Full of Beans! – the bountiful and beautiful world of beans
Cork’s very own Bean Queen and #BeansIsHow champion, Ali Honour, will let loose in the kitchen with beans grown by Cork Rooftop Farm, creating dishes that demonstrate the variety and versatility of beans as a nutritious and protein rich food. Innovative urban farmer and creator of Cork Rooftop Farm, Brian McCarthy, has dedicated half an acre of land at his new organic farm in Whites Cross to growing many varieties of beans and will talk about why growing them is beneficial for soil health and for healthy diets. MC’d by Kate Ryan of Flavour.ie.
Saturday 17th August @ 11am. The Festival Marquee, Emmet Place. FREE entry.
Sourdough and Wine Harvest Demo
Dedicated to the art and science of sourdough bread-making, natural wine, and sustainable agricultural practices, this event will not only be a fascinating demo, but will be a chance to hear about the challenges facing farmers and tillage farmers this year as a result of climate change. Discover a new approach to baking that enhances digestibility, elevates nutritional content, and celebrates the rich flavours of this ancient culinary tradition and indulge in an exquisite tasting experience of artisanal sourdough bread. Paired with exceptional natural wines, lovingly crafted from sustainably grown grapes.
Friday 16th & Saturday 17th August. Callanan's bar, Georges's Quay. Tickets €30 (or €50 for two). Book here
I Soiled My Plants! With CUSP, My Goodness and Green Cities for Health
A talk, cookery demo and tasting looking at the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP) with Virginia O'Gara, co-founder My Goodness, Green Cities for Health and Kate Ryan from Flavour.ie. Learn how food scraps become soil and become food again (CUSP) and cook with vegetables grown in soil made at CUSP from food waste. Denise Cahill and Maria Young from Green Cities for Health will talk about Cork’s urban community gardens and the importance of growing more food in urban spaces and school gardens, and utilising would-be-food-waste in the city. CUSP will donate compost created from food waste, and Green Cities will provide biodegradable pots and seeds and encourage kids and adults in the audience to come and plant some seeds to take home and mind, grow, harvest and eat!
Sunday 18th August @11am. Festival Marquee, Emmet Place. FREE event.
Eat With The Seasons - Mindful Eating Talk & Food Tasting Event
Get a taste of mindful eating and discover how it can transform your approach to food. Enjoy a delicious autumn season food tasting experience at the Hideout Café and Art Gallery, which boasts stunning views of the city! Cathy Fitzgibbon aka The Culinary Celt will give insights into mindful eating and offer sustainable living tips from a food perspective, to help our local natural environment and improve our wellbeing. Featuring culinary adventure, food exploration and mindful eating insights, mark your calendars and embark on a Mindful Eating journey... Cork style!
Sunday 18th August @ 2pm. Hideout Café and Art Gallery on Wellington Road. Tickets €30.
A Food Festival for All-Market Lane/Food Bank
Market Lane is working with their local food bank on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street to ensure Cork on a Fork is a food festival for all, by providing a freshly made nutritious main course to their users throughout the week of the event.
All week
Bread and Fishes with Aishling Moore (Goldie) and Ryan Hoy (Pike Deli)
Enjoy a celebration of summer fish and handmade breads with Aishling Moore, chef-proprietor of Goldie Fish & Ale and Ryan Hoy, chef/baker/co-founder of Pike Deli, MC’d by Kate Ryan from Flavour.ie. Learn expert fish filleting techniques and how to bake the perfect bread pairings and zero food waste breadcrumb crackers from the best in the business. Aishling Moore is one of Ireland’s most exciting young chefs and was just named Ireland's Best Chef 2024. Her fish restaurant, Goldie, in Cork’s city centre, has pioneered gill to fin cooking in this country. Adopting a whole catch approach, the restaurant allows what’s landed to dictate what’s served.
Sunday 18th August @12pm. Emmet Place Demo Marquee. Free
Leftover Larder Love - zero waste demo with Orla McAndrew
This insightful zero waste cookery demo will show you have to make the most of your leftovers with a little love from your larder. Learn how to create a feast from basic ingredients. Orla McAndrew is an award winning zero waste wedding and event caterer. She is a TV chef, recipe contributor, podcaster, speaker, writer, and mother of three young girls. Orla celebrates the very best of seasonal Irish produce in all that she does and works tirelessly to promote the efforts of Irish food producers.
Sunday 18th August @5pm. Emmet Place Demo Marquee. Free
Cork on a Fork celebrates Cork’s rich food heritage, combining local traditions with global flavours. It’s a chance to sample incredible food from the region’s talented chefs, farmers, and producers. The 5 day festival returns from August 14th-18th 2024 throughout Cork City centre. This celebration of food brought to you by Cork City Council and local businesses will showcase Cork’s unique food culture, culinary excellence, dining experiences and quality local produce over five days of food, trails, events, talks, demos and festival fun.
Cork on a Fork Festival is organised and supported by Cork City Council in partnership with local hospitality businesses, Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork, Cork Business Association, the IHF Cork Branch, Cork Airport and sponsors.
For the most up-to-date and detailed information, please refer to www.corkonaforkfest.ie or stay tuned on social media @corkonaforkfest for the latest updates.
Slán go fóill.