Join Ireland's largest and longest-running community food festival, Waterford Festival of Food, and connect with food in a vibrant culinary community. Enjoy over 80 events including taste tours, kitchen table talks, sustainability workshops, and live cooking demos. Don't miss the famous artisan market and family-friendly activities. Experience the flavors and characters of Waterford's local food region. Free events available. Plan your weekend now!
Waterford Festival of Food: Connecting People with Food
( Credit to: Waterfordlive )
Waterford Festival of Food, one of Ireland's largest and longest-running community food festivals, is set to begin this coming weekend. Now in its 15th year, the festival is inspired by the theme of 'Connecting People with Food' and will feature over 80 events from April 19th to 21st, 2024. With the weather expected to improve over the weekend, it's the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy this wonderful festival.
( Credit to: Waterfordlive )
The main hub for the three-day festival is the scenic harbour town of Dungarvan in County Waterford. However, events will also take place in nearby towns such as Lismore, Villierstown, Kilmeaden, Cappoquin, and Ardmore, showcasing the flavors and characters of the local food region.
Diverse Program of Events for All Tastes and Interests
( Credit to: Waterfordlive )
The festival program is diverse and includes guided taste tours, kitchen table talks with influential figures from Ireland's food scene, high-profile guest chef dining events, sustainability workshops, and pop-up experiences in unique locations. There will also be foraging trails, food waste talks, bus tours to farms and mountains, live cooking demos, and the festival's famous market, which is Ireland's largest outdoor market, taking place in Dungarvan's Market Square on the final day.
( Credit to: Waterfordlive )
Many of the events on this year's program are free for festival-goers to enjoy. Some of the amazing free events include the Kitchens Through Time Vintage Appliances Exhibition, showcasing vintage electric kitchen appliances at Dungarvan Library. There will also be outdoor markets throughout the weekend, offering a chance to experience the region's local produce and crafts. The highlight of the festival is the artisan market in Dungarvan town center on Sunday, where over 80 local and artisan producers will be selling their wares.
Discover the Flavors and Characters of Waterford's Local Food Region
( Credit to: Waterfordlive )
Another must-see event is the "Behind the Bite" exhibition, featuring black and white portraits of 40 local food trailblazers. This exhibition captures the spirit of the diverse culinary community in Dungarvan and Waterford, showcasing the lives of those who craft, create, and enrich local food.
For families, there is the Tírlán Family Fun Zone at Dungarvan Castle, where kids can get up close and personal with animals at the mobile farm, meet birds of prey, plant seedlings, enjoy rides, and take part in wellness taster sessions.
Engaging Kitchen Table Talks and Demonstrations
Food enthusiasts can also attend the Kitchen Table Talks at Tom Currans Store, featuring well-known faces from the Irish food scene. These talks offer lively conversations around the kitchen table and include speakers such as Darina Allen, Kate Ryan, Sally Barnes, and Paul Flynn.
The Taste Waterford Deno Stage, presented by Richard Povey, will host a series of talks and demonstrations by food and drink producers. Visitors can learn from experts such as Fergal Walsh, Niamh Condon, and Tom Dauber about various aspects of the food industry.
Junior Bake Off and RNLI Duck Race
The festival also offers opportunities for young bakers to showcase their skills in the Waterford Festival of Food Junior Bake Off. Participants can compete in categories such as 'Most Creative Cookie' and 'Most Creative Sponge Cake' for different age groups.
Finally, for a low-cost and fun-filled event, there is the RNLI Duck Race on Davitts Quay in Dungarvan. This family-friendly event supports the RNLI Helvick Lifeboat Station and offers the chance to win prizes by participating in the rubber duck race.
Experience the Vibrant Culinary Community of Waterford
The Waterford Festival of Food program offers something for everyone, with events for all ages and interests. The festival is made possible through the support of various organizations and sponsors, including Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Leader Partnership, Failte Ireland, and Waterford LEO.
For more information and the full festival program, visit the Waterford Festival of Food website. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with food and enjoy the vibrant culinary community of Waterford.