Taste of West Cork festival will feature over 170 culinary events

RENOWNED chef Derry Clarke was on hand to launch this year’s star-studded Taste of West Cork food festival and programme on Tuesday night.

The festival takes place this year from September 9th-18th , with over 170 culinary and adventure events taking place across the region’s 32 towns and villages and eight islands. 

 The event-packed 28-page programme, which was designed and printed by Southern Star Creative, was launched at Kalbo’s café at the Uillinn. 

The 10-day event will feature culinary-themed feasts in local restaurants, food tastings al fresco, foraging walks, open-air markets, seminars, cook-offs, masterclasses and intimate evenings with local artisan food producers imparting their wisdom.

 Derry Clarke, (of Michelin Star L’ Ecrivain restaurant fame) will be joined by guest chefs during the festival, including TV presenter Catherine Fulvio in Castletownbere and Rachel Allen and Martin Shanahan in Skibbereen. Meanwhile, food writer Trish Deseine will join Cork County Council chief executive Tim Lucey and Niall Gibbons (CEO of Tourism Ireland) in a food forum chaired by Lord David Puttnam.

Speaking at the launch, Celebrity Chef and TV personality Derry Clarke said; ‘West Cork has long held a reputation for excellence in food production and preparation and is seen as a top authentic foodie destination in its own right. It deserves all the recognition it gets.’ An integral component to this year’s A Taste of West Cork Food Festival is a forum entitled ‘Our Farms, Our Food, Our Future’ which takes place on September 12th at the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen. 

The forum, whch is chaired by Ella McSweeney from RTE’s Ear to the Ground, aims to discuss the interdependence between modern farming and food production practices and our health and will include talks from key influential speakers from the world of food, agriculture and business, including UCC’s Professor of Psychiatry at APC Microbiome Institute Ted Dinan, Darina Allen, botanist Madeline McKeever, scientist and professor of Plant Pathology Dr Don Huber of Purdue University in Indiana (USA), nutritional therapist Ann Darcy and renowned natural health practitioner Majella O’Neill.

Festival chair Helen Collins said the festival had gone from strength to strength over the years. ‘We are delighted to be bringing you an eclectic programme of over 170 gastronomical events. A Taste of West Cork has grown to be one of Ireland’s most anticipated events, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the vast spectrum of food available along our spectacular Wild Atlantic Way.’ 

The Festival is supported by Cork County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Fields of Skibbereen, Sean & Rose O’Driscoll and many other supporting sponsors and patrons from the region and elsewhere. See www.atasteofwestcork.com.