Latest news with #CorkonaForkFestival
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Watch: Cork on a Fork serves up a city feast
Cork on a Fork Festival's Shared Table brought locals and visitors together for a summer feast in the heart of the city. The flagship 'Long Table' event showcased the best of local produce. The festival runs from August 13 to 17, celebrating Cork's vibrant food scene. Read More Cork on a Fork: Feasting, fun, and quality food are on the menu at five-day festival
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Weather fails to rain on the parade as five-day Cork on a Fork food festival kicks off
In a city with an Irish name that translates as 'marsh' or 'bog' and in a county with the second-highest rainfall rates in the country, choosing to gamble with the weather gods is invariably one of the longest shots of all. On foot of forecasts of heavy evening downpours, the decision was made to bring the outdoor long table dinner on MacCurtain St, Cork on a Fork food festival's flagship event, indoors into the Metropole Hotel. Early yesterday morning, the Good Day Deli restaurant in the Nano Nagle Centre was a hive of activity preparing for Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy to formally launch Cork on a Fork. It was then immediately followed by the opening event, Cork on a Fork media partner Irish Examiner's business breakfast, sponsored by retail giant Musgrave. But, amidst the general hubbub, festival manager Niamh Murphy and her crew were huddled around phones, hoping one of the multitude of weather forecasting apps being consulted would contradict the overwhelming predictions of heavy evening showers at precisely the same time dinner would be served up to the 450 diners slated to sit down at an outdoor table running the length of MacCurtain St. A collaboration of 20 chefs led by Alex Petit put the finishing touches on salad course during the VQ Shared Table. Picture: Chani Anderson With a decision required by 10am on whether to host the event outdoors or revert to the fallback plan of moving it inside to the Metropole Hotel, to allow sufficient time to build the temporary infrastructure necessary to host so many diners for a drinks reception followed by five-course dinner, Ms Murphy and her crew agonised over the call. The decision switched back and forth, until eventually, head won out over heart and Ms Murphy and the Victorian Quarter (VQ) organising committee made the call to move it indoors, deciding a deluge of rainfall would hardly make the ideal sauce for the evening meal. This was after which every sunburst from behind the clouds was greeted as a two fingers up to the organisers, while intermittent and heavy showers justified a decision very reluctantly taken. 'At the end of the day,' said Ms Murphy, 'We had to put the experience of the diners first. Mary Hydes, Sandra Looney, and Lynda O'Donnell at the drinks reception on MacCurtain Street during the VQ Shared Dining Experience at the Cork on a Fork Festival. Picture: Chani Anderson "Over 20 chefs from the VQ have poured their heart and soul into this menu, which ultimately is the primary focus of the night, and we couldn't risk ruining their efforts with the forecasts being so unpredictable. We hope that the diners appreciated their huge effort. 'There was still an element of the outdoor experience and, thanks to TS Events, who played a blinder to help us, we secured a marquee at the last minute to ensure the drinks reception could be hosted on the street before going in to dine.' The newly refurbished Metropole made for a splendid venue, and a genuinely superb dinner, considering it was being served up to 450 guests, was every bit as good as it would have been outside — a five-course sharing menu featuring the cream of Cork producers, beginning with snacks and then bread and dips, followed by starters of Castletownbere crab and Glenbrook Farm pork terrine. The main course featured Fitzgerald black Angus striploin 'rosé', while delicious dessert starred West Cork strawberries. Lady Mayoress Karen Brennan enjoying the 'long table' dinner in the Metropole hotel on MacCurtain St. Picture: Chani Anderson The first plates hit tables, a few brief showers fell, but after that, the evening remained dry and balmy. Whether that rain fell in sufficient volume to deter Corkonians, well used to the stuff, was briefly debated before the party resumed. Chairman of the VQ business district, Liam Maher, said: 'Despite the disappointment of having to move such a unique event indoors, we were delighted to host the opening night of Cork on a Fork Fest once again this year with an evening that not only showcases the food and flavours of Cork, but also highlights what can be achieved when we all work together to put a spotlight on this fantastic city which we all love. "This evening's experience has been brought to you by 20 chefs and over 40 front-of-house staff from across the VQ, and it's an incredible showcase of what we have to offer.' In the heel of the hunt, if you choose to gamble in the weather gods' casino, the house invariably wins. Either way, it was a tremendous evening and a superb celebration of the best of Cork food. Maybe next year, we'll just take the brollies and stay outside.
Extra.ie
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Plenty of family food fun as Cork on a Fork festival gets underway this week
Corkonians not heading to Oasis this weekend need not worry as there's still plenty of excitement in the Leeside as an annual food and drinks festival gets underway in the coming days. Cork on a Fork Festival gets underway tomorrow, Wednesday (August 13), and runs until Sunday, August 17 and is the perfect chance for anyone gutted to be missing the Mancunian brothers to take their mind off the heartbreak. The annual event was first established in 2022, and has fast becoming one of the favourite festivals in the Cork events calendar. Corkonians not heading to Oasis this weekend need not worry as there's still plenty of excitement in the Leeside as an annual beer festival gets underway in the coming days. Pic: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Organised by Cork City Council and Fáilte Ireland in partnership with local businesses, there will be up to 100 events taking place in the coming days. There will be something for everyone including street events; chef collaborations; food and drinks pairings; bite-sized talks and plenty of family food fun. Cork City Council said the city has been a 'farm to fork destination since its origins as a trading port in the 10th century, and led the way in Ireland's modern food movement.' There will be Atlantic seafood, artisan cheeses, spiced beef and much more with each component telling its own story in the unique celebration of food. Some of the festival highlights include fine dining experiences such as an exclusive and elegant dining experience at the four-star Montenotte which kicks off with a Montenotte Gin & Tonic reception followed by a bespoke and decadent seven-Course Invitational Fine Dining Tasting Menu, along with a bread course and petit fours created by Executive Chef Martin Lovell. Tickets, which are €169pp, also include a Wine Flight selection. Elsewhere, there will be a number of tours throughout the five-day event with Cork Culinary Tour running a tours throughout, with attendees given the chance to taste local award-winning cheese, handmade bread, gourmet sausages and more. There are plenty of demos and workshops as well as an array of free events also taking place over the course of the five days. In Ballincollig Library on Thursday at 11am there will be a talk on how food affects our mood along with nutritional tips for supporting our mood while at the same time Declan O'Flynn of O'Flynn Gourmet Sausages will showcase the traditional methods of his company's famous gourmet sausages. Cork on a Fork Fest takes place from Wednesday, August 13 to Sunday, August 17 with a full list of events taking place available here.
Irish Independent
09-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Diarmuid Gavin and Donal Skehan join sustainability panel in Cork for Fork Fest business breakfast
Diarmuid Gavin, Donal Skehan, Ailis Crowley from FASH Forward, Maria Young from Green Spaces Cork and Virginia O'Gara from My Goodness / Cork Urban Soil Project are among the panellists at the business breakfast next week. Cork City's food and business communities will come together for an inspiring morning at the Cork on a Fork Fest Business Networking, in partnership with Cork Business Association (CBA) and Network Cork. The event which runs from 7.30am to 9.15am will be hosted by food writer Kate Ryan of and it takes place during Cork on a Fork Fest at the new Dunnes Stores Food Hall on St Patrick's Street. The event offers a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion sustainable food practices. Attendees will enjoy complimentary tastings from a variety of artisan food stalls who are part of the new food hall, as well as sampling opportunities from some of the local artisan food producers who are part of the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection — perfect for breakfast on the go. The event will also include a live cooking demo by Head Chef Kate Lawlor from K O'Connell Fishmongers. The panel features Ailis Crowley from FASH Forward, who will give practical insights for reducing food waste in your business. Other panellists include Maria Young from Green Spaces Cork on the impact of community gardens and growing local; Virginia O'Gara from My Goodness / Cork Urban Soil Project on circular food systems and composting; Diarmuid Gavin - Creator of Dunnes Stores "Outer Spaces", and Donal Skehan, a Dunnes Stores ambassador. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or community changemaker, this is your chance to be inspired, build connections, and learn how your business can be part of a more sustainable future. Eric Foley, Grocery Manager, Dunnes Stores Patrick Street stated: 'We are so proud to be supporting the Cork on a Fork Festival, which celebrates the very best of Cork hospitality and food. We love the idea of hosting this event where local businesses will come together to discuss sustainability and we are delighted that we will have some of our local food producers present to join in on the conversations and networking.' The event is free for CBA and Network Cork members, and open to other businesses to book. Register at Eventbrite Link. Cork Business Association is also supporting a number of Coffee House Late events during Cork on a Fork Fest, in partnership with Cork City Council's night-time economy advisor. Now in its fourth year, Cork on a Fork Fest spotlights the businesses, farmers, producers, chefs, and culinary innovators that shape the region's vibrant food scene. This year's programme will feature almost 100 events across the city — including pop-up dining experiences, chef collaborations, street feasts, food trails, cooking demos, and family-friendly fun. Cork on a Fork Fest is organised by Cork City Council in partnership with local hospitality businesses. The festival is supported by stakeholders including Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork, Cork Business Association, IHF Cork Branch, MTU, Cork Airport, and festival sponsors. Visit or follow @corkonaforkfest on social media.
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Skibbereen to host new West Cork Food Festival
Vendors are being invited to apply to take part in a new food festival, which is planned for Skibbereen in West Cork next month. The West Cork Food Festival will take place in Skibbereen's Old Mart Yard, known locally as 'the Fairfield', on Sunday, August 31. Skibbereen Chamber of Commerce said the new festival will celebrate "the vibrant local food scene with a day full of flavour, community, and creativity. From artisan producers to bold street food vendors, this event is all about savouring the best of West Cork in one unforgettable day." The festival is supported by Cork County Council, and vendors seeking to take part can contact chamber@ The new event in Skibbereen is another element to the busy culinary calendar in Cork. In Cork city, the Cork on a Fork Festival takes place from August 13-17, organised by Cork City Council in partnership with local businesses. Cork on a Fork Festival includes the spectacular VQ Shared Table, a long-table dinner for 450 guests on MacCurtain Street which will see 20 chefs from the city's Victorian Quarter area curate shared plates. Tickets, priced at €150, have been selling briskly for the street event, which takes place on Wednesday, August 13.
