Get a taste of local unique food culture at Cork on a Fork Fest

Cork has always been known for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food scene and now you can get a taste of all that the region has to offer at Cork on a Fork Festival. Over five days in August, from the 14th to the 18th, the city centre will turn into a gastronomic paradise, celebrating the vibrant and diverse food culture of the region.

Drawing food enthusiasts from near and far, Cork on a Fork offers a diverse array of experiences for all palates including unique dining events, pop-up restaurants, chef collaborations, live cooking demonstrations from top chefs, interactive workshops, food and drink pairing events, bite-sized talks, and plenty of kids’ food activities. Organised by Cork City Council in partnership with local businesses, producers and stakeholders, the week highlights the region’s culinary talents, featuring Michelin-starred chefs, much loved local eateries, food history and local produce.

Culinary heritage

“It’s not just a festival, it’s a unique celebration of Cork’s food culture and everything that makes Cork’s food scene special,” said Niamh Murphy, festival manager of Cork on a Fork. “It’s a testament to the city’s rich culinary heritage, its talented chefs, its commitment to local produce and sustainability, and its multiculturalism.”

The festival features almost 100 events big and small over five days, involving most of the city’s chefs, restaurants, hotels and venues. Notable participants include Michelin-starred chefs Takashi Miyazaki of Ichigo Ichie and Rob Krawczyk of Restaurant Chestnut; ‘Chef of the Year’ Aishling Moore of Goldie Fish & Ale; Brian Murray from The Glass Curtain; zero waste chef Orla McAndrew; ‘The Bean Queen’ Ali Honour; and celebrity chef, Rachel Allen from Ballymaloe. Chef Ryan O’Sullivan, a Cork native and the latest winner of Hell’s Kitchen USA, will also join the festivities.

Fearghal Reidy, director of strategic and economic development at Cork City Council said sustainability, reducing food waste, and promoting local produce are to the fore of the festival. “We’re incredibly lucky to have some of Ireland’s best chefs and almost 60 per cent of the country’s artisan producers in the wider Cork region,” he said. “We are also mindful of the importance of sustainability and reducing food waste, which you will see within the programme content.

“Initially developed to celebrate Cork city’s ever-evolving dining and nightlife scene, the festival has grown phenomenally since its pilot in 2022. Based on excellent feedback, Fáilte Ireland and Cork City Council, along with various stakeholders, are now developing a food destination plan to make Cork the food capital of Ireland.” The festival is comprised of free and ticketed events, and coincides with Heritage Week.

“There will be a chef collaboration dinner for 400 people in the middle of MacCurtain Street called The VQ Shared Table,” said Murphy. “There’s also a pop-up dining experience in a barn, a restaurant takeover of Isaacs with Rachel Allen, city farm tours, and a free cooking demo marquee and market in the heart of the city.

“A new and innovative event this year is the ‘Future Food Feast’ that will celebrate innovation, sustainability, and young talent. We’re running a competition for young chefs aged 16 to 23 to design a dish that will be featured at a dinner at The Metropole Hotel.

Mentorship

“The five most promising chefs from the competition will be chosen to receive mentorship from two of Cork’s top sustainability chefs – zero-waste chef Orla McAndrew and Alex Petit, the group executive chef at Trigon Hotels. This mentorship will include a farm visit, a foraging session, and guidance on scaling their dish to serve 100 people at the event.”

The Cork on a Fork Festival is organised and supported by Cork City Council in partnership with local hospitality businesses, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, Pure Cork, Cork Business Association, Cork Airport, and the IHF Cork Branch.

Brian O’Flynn, head of Ireland’s Ancient East, said: “Cork city is an important part of Ireland’s Ancient East and has huge potential to attract domestic and international visitors. The Cork on a Fork festival provides the perfect opportunity to showcase all that Cork city has to offer.

“Fáilte Ireland looks for every opportunity to encourage visitors to explore and stay in the region for longer, increase spend and help to drive revenue for local businesses. Cork is already recognised nationally for leading the way in providing outdoor dining facilities and with the support of Fáilte Ireland has helped businesses extend opening times and grow Cork’s nighttime economy. “We will continue to build on Cork’s great food provenance to enhance its reputation as a great food destination.”

Check out the festival programme, which is ever-evolving, at corkonaforkfest.ie or follow @corkonaforkfest on social media for the latest news.