Demos and Workshops
Hone your culinary skills with demos, workshops, and masterclasses led by top chefs and industry experts.
*Please note booking fees may apply on some events
Business of Food Breakfast with The Irish Examiner
9.30am-12.00pm, Wed 12th Aug, Bakestone Perry Street
Kick off the festival with a thought-provoking breakfast focused on the business of food. In partnership with the Irish Examiner and sponsored by festival partner Musgrave, this event will explore key themes shaping the food industry today. Hear insights from leading voices in the sector, MC’d by food writer Joe McNamee, while enjoying a delicious breakfast showcasing the best of local produce. Guests will also receive a goody bag to take home with local produce from Supervalu.
FREE | Open only to food businesses in Cork. Limited places. Express interest by emailing corkonaforkfest@gmail.com
Food Photography with Your Phone Camera
with photographer Joleen Cronin
2.00pm-4.00pm, Wed 12th Aug, L’Atitude51
Learn how to capture stunning food photos using just your phone. In this hands-on workshop, photographer Joleen Cronin will guide you through lighting, styling, and composition techniques to elevate your images. Enjoy a live demo and practice your skills by photographing mezze plates from the L’Atitude 51 kitchen. Perfect for beginners — no experience required.
€30 | Food Photography with your phone Eventbrite
Children's Pizza Making Workshop
11.30pm-12.30pm, Thurs 13th Aug, Marina Market
Learn how to stretch and top pizza with some of Oak Fire Pizza's chefs at the Marina Market. In this hands-on workshop, children will make their own pizza which will then be cooked for them to taste their amazing creations!
€15 | Children's Pizza Workshop with Oakfire | Bookings open Thursday 9am
Proper Sausage Making
12.00pm-1.00pm, Thurs 13th Aug, O'Flynn's Gourmet Sausages, Winthrop Street
O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages Director Declan O’Flynn will demonstrate on how to make proper sausages! With a focus on local produce, learn how to make Blackwater Sausage and an event exclusive - The Four Faced Liar - an ode to the Shannon Bells.
FREE. No booking required.
The Perfect Pairing: A Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Lindt Master Chocolatier - BOOKED OUT
4.00pm-6.00pm, Thurs 13th Aug, Blue Angel, Cork Opera House
As proud sponsors of the Opera and Orchestral Programme at Cork Opera House, Lindt are bringing this premium experience to Cork for the festival. The immersive event will take you on a journey of sensory exploration as you learn to pair aromatic wines with the finest Lindt Excellence chocolate, all while taking in the expansive, panoramic views of Cork City from the Blue Angel at Cork Opera House.
FREE | Over 18s BOOKED OUT
Discover the Flavour of Picanha
6.00pm-7.30pm, Thurs 13th Aug, Sabor Brazil
Enjoy a gastronomic experience combining Irish beef and a Brazilian cut at this Brazilian barbecue. Brazilian chef Marcel Lima will explain and teach you how to prepare the most famous Brazilian cut, picanha, followed by a tasting of the perfectly cooked meat.
€25 | Discover Picanha
Dough-n't Stop Believin'
11.00am,Fri 14th, Sat 15th and Sun 16th Aug, Epomeo Pizza, Princes Street
Watch the Epomeo Pizza team in action as they stretch, shape, and fire up their signature pizzas at speed, revealing the high-heat science and cold-ferment secrets behind their dough. Then get hands-on yourself, building and stretching your own pizza with expert guidance before it’s fired and ready to enjoy.
€25 | Dough-n't Stop Believin' at Epomeo Pizza
Taste of Shandon: Bells, Bread, Butter, Beef... Samosas and Sweets!
2.00pm-4.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, The Butter Museum
A lively showcase of food, tradition, and local craft at The Butter Museum in the historic Shandon area. Enjoy demonstrations of traditional soda bread and butter making with The Butter Museum and delicious samosas with The Four Liars, and hear insightful talks from local butcher James Nolan on spiced beef and the history of Shandon Bells. Visitors can also taste classic hard sweets from Shandon Sweets. Please note: Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
FREE | Taste of Shandon Bookings Eventbrite.
Herb Garden Workshop
2.00pm-4.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, Douglas Community Park, Church Road (Meet outside Douglas Community Centre or at the herb garden.)
Douglas Tidy Towns invites you to an exploration of the herb garden with a herb preparation making demonstration led by botanist Jo Goodyear.
FREE | No booking required.
Savour & Sculpt Workshop
2.00pm-4.00pm Fri 14th Aug, Biodiversity Food hub Ballincollig, P31 PX67
An afternoon of creativity, sustainability and connection. Artist Martha Cashman will host a hands-on ceramics workshop where you will craft your own ceramic dipping bowl while Cathy Fitzgibbon aka The Culinary Celt will explore seasonal living, sustainability and the importance of creating a more intentional and sacred eating space using her signature mindful eating frameworks and models.
Price: €39. (Please note: additional optional fee applies for firing & finishing ceramic pieces following the workshop). Book Savour & Sculpt Workshop
Alive: The Art of Sourdough & Natural Wine
4.00pm-6.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, Callanan's Bar
What happens when you let nature lead? This talk uncovers the shared philosophy behind wild-fermented bread and low-intervention wine. This special edition will showcase Georgian wines and the people behind it. Immerse yourself in the art and science of sourdough bread-making, natural wine, and sustainable agricultural practices in Cork's most iconic pub - with Cork producer Benjamin Lebon Seeds Bread Kinsale, Dr. Fanny Leenhardt-Cohalan Wellbread and Pascal Rossignol Le Caveau Wine Merchants.
€30 | Sourdough and Natural Wine Bookings WellBread. | Over 18s.
Cocktail Workshop & BBQ
5.00pm -7.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, Clancy's Cork
A fun cocktail workshop where you’ll craft a signature cocktail. Then keep the good times going with laid-back snacks & a glass of prosecco.
€30 | Cocktail Masterclass at Clancy's |Over 18s.
Rebel City Distillery Cork Cocktail Masterclass
5.45pm, Fri 14th Aug, Rebel City Distillery
Join a founder-led cocktail masterclass experience with Bhagya Barrett, co founder of Rebel City Distillery. Begin with a warm welcome - a Maharani Gin & Tonic or Maharani Vodka & Soda on arrival- followed by a guided tour of our boutique distillery. Learn basic mixology and hands-on techniques like shaking and stirring, then craft and enjoy two cocktails using Rebel City spirits.
€50 | Rebel City Cocktail Masterclass Ticketing |Over 18s.
Come Celebrate Cork's Sparkling Counter Culture
6.00pm - 8pm, Fri 14th Aug, Quay Co-Op
A communal kimchi making workshop, hosted by My Goodness, at the iconic Quay Co-op café. Learn basic fermentation skills as everyone makes kimchi and kombucha together. The evening will be seasoned with stories of radical community building, on a micro and macro level. Participants will leave with a jar of their very own Communal Kimchi, and a kombucha SCOBY that they can use to create their own special fermented drinks at home.
€15-30 | Cork’s Sparkling Counter Culture Bookings Eventbrite.
Consume Cork Cooking Demos Marquee
10.30am-6.30pm, Sat 15th & Sun 16th Aug, Cooking Demo Marquee outside Cork City Library, Grand Parade.
Our Festival Cooking Demo Stage on the Grand Parade will host of demos and tastings all day, celebrating the best Cork chefs and producers. MC'd by food writers Kate Ryan and Joe McNamee., these are free to attend thanks to support from Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland's Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way, and SuperValu.
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10.30am: Cooking with Amaranth: Learn how to cook with amaranth, a Mexican superfood locally grown in Cork's international garden, with Mexican plant scientist Mabel Hernánde.
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11:30am: Tiger Balm Club - All Killer, No Filler! Get up close and personal with Cork’s latest supper club collective, Tiger Balm Club, exploring the flavours of Vietnam and Thailand with founders Mark Ahern and Bryan “Sunshine Primo” Rudd for a high energy cookery demo that's gonna be "All Killer, No Filler"!
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12:30pm: Beans to Get The Pulse Racing: Join Cork's very own “Bean Queen”, Ali Honour, as she demonstrates why we should all bang in some beans with our daily meals! Ali will cook recipes from her debut cookbook, Beans, using beans, peas and lentils for climate conscious eating that’s all about delicious, sustainable nutrition.
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1.30pm: Harrison Sharpe, Elbow Lane -
- 2.30pm: Aisling Moore and Special Guest -
- 3:30pm: Discover The Magic of Soda Bread - Made in Minutes with Darina Allen: Join Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School as she prepares and bakes in minutes traditional Irish soda breads, as well as comforting twists on this Irish classic!
- 4:30pm: Rescue The Plate with Food Cloud: In partnership with FoodCloud, we turn Food “Waste” into Food “Ace” with our two Cork chefs, Kate Lawlor-Lyne of K O'Connell Fishmonger and Eoghan O'Flynn, of The Metropole Hotel. Ready, Steady, Cook-style, our chefs will be tasked with making delicious dishes using a surprise bag of would-be food waste rescued from some of our festival restaurants with a winner chosen by a surprise Guest of Honour!
- 5.30pm: Cork on a Stick:Mad cap mayhem as three Cork chefs cook off against each other to produce the best pintxos-style taste of Cork on a Stick. Watch Orla McAndrew of OM Catering, Epi Rogan of Fiain Wild Flowers, & Meadhbh Halton of Meb's Veg battle it out for the most coveted title of the year! This time, it's an all-female line up!
FREE | All welcome. Limited seating.
Pizza Party at Il Padrino
10.30am - 12.30pm, Sat 15th Aug, Il Padrino
Kids will have lots of fun at this hands on pizza making demonstration at Il Padrino, serving the families of Cork for 24 years. Your little masterchefs will have the opportunity to roll their own fresh dough and put on toppings before enjoying their own creation. The price includes the pizza, a drink and ice-cream.
€10. Pizza Party Booking Eventbrite.
Rebel City Distillery Spirit School: Craft Custom Gin
11.30pm-1.30pm, Sat 15th Aug, Rebel City Distillery
Join Master Distiller Robert for an immersive two-hour gin-making session at Rebel City's unique working distillery, housed in a restored 1920s electrical transformer building. Learn about the history of distillation, the art of balancing botanicals, and the precision behind crafting quality spirits. Under Robert’s expert guidance, you’ll blend your own bespoke gin to match your personal taste—and take home a 500ml bottle of your creation.
€80 | Spirit School Ticketing | Over 18s
Family Cupcake Workshop
2.00pm–3.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Urban Pantry at the Fifth Quarter
Join Sophie from Sophisticake for a fun, hands-on cake decorating workshop at Urban Pantry, a new café and events space at the Fifth Quarter (Paul St). Perfect for kids and adults to enjoy together, this experience is all about getting creative and making sweet memories. Each ticket includes entry for one parent and one child, a box of four cupcakes to decorate, all materials provided, plus coffee, hot chocolate, and tasty treats.
€40 (for 1 adult & 1 child) |Family Cupcake Workshop Bookings Eventbrite
English Market Cooking Demo with Cork Chef Orla McAndrew
2.00pm–3.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Outside the English Market on Grand Parade
Cork Chef Orla McAndrew will indulge visitors to the English Market with a cookery demonstration and sampling outside the building on Grand Parade. Committed to sustainability and a zero-waste ethos, Orla will be using a range of fresh, local ingredients from the English Market stalls to create seasonal tasting and sharing plates perfect for summer gatherings.
FREE | No booking required
Farm to Fork Cookup and Guided Tour
2.00pm–4.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Murphys Farm Community Garden (behind Bishoptown Tennis Club), T12VY10
All are welcome to Murphy's Farm’s Farm to Fork Cook-Up, featuring fresh vegetables straight from their garden. Guest Chef JJ from MTU will be cooking up a delicious stir-fry and vegetarian burgers on-site. Plus, enjoy a guided tour of their beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.
FREE. No booking required
Rebel City Distillery X Fitzgerald's Bar Masterclass
2.00pm–5.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Fitzgerald's Bar at The Imperial
An exclusive afternoon of cocktails, craft, and creativity with Rebel City Distillery. Enjoy a welcome cocktail on arrival, get behind-the-scenes insights and a tasting experience, then take part in a hands-on cocktail masterclass where you’ll make (and enjoy) two signature drinks. Light bites made with local ingredients are included throughout.
€55 | Rebel City X Fitzgeralds Masterclass Bookings Eventbrite | Over 18s
Cork Cultural Show & Pour Your Own Pint Experience
4.00pm–5.30pm or 6.00pm-7.30pm, Sat 15th Aug, JJ Walsh’s
Experience the best of Cork pub culture in this fun, interactive session at JJ Walsh’s. Join the cast of the Cork Cultural Show for a lively celebration of music, dance, and craic. Learn the art of pouring your own perfect pint of Murphy’s or Beamish, take part in an interactive Irish dance workshop, and enjoy live traditional performances in one of Cork’s most iconic venues. A relaxed, family-friendly celebration of authentic Cork culture. Juice included for children.
€25 for adults, €10 for kids | Cork Cultural Show Bookings Eventbrite.
McKenna’s Theatre of Food Marquee
10.30am-6.30pm, Sun 16th Aug, Outside Cork City Library, Grand Parade.
Cork is enjoying a particularly rich and creative moment right now, with its cooks and food producers acclaimed as some of the best in Europe. On the McKennas Festival Cooking Demo Stage on the Grand Parade, we are going to be celebrating this moment with some of the best talents in the city and county. A host of demos and tastings lasting all through the day will celebrate the dynamism, fun and deliciousness created the best Cork chefs and producers. MC'd by food writers John and Sally McKenna (McKenna's Guides), and co-ordinated by Samuel McKenna, these cooking demos are free to attend, thanks to support from Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland's Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way, and SuperValu.
- 10:30am: Cooking with Down Syndrome Cork Youth Club
- 11:30am: Aishling Moore: Owner and head chef of Bib Gourmand restaurant Goldie, Aishling Moore has rewritten the book of modern fish cookery, so come and learn the tricks of the trade in sustainable fish cooking. Goldie was voted No.1 in The Sunday Times 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland.
- 12:30pm: St Francis Provisions: Barbara and Rebeca were voted Best Service in Ireland and the UK in the 2026 Michelin Awards, so come and learn what makes this Kinsale location the first choice in the town for every Irish food lover.
- 1:30pm: 51 Cornmarket: Dave and Anne are the consummate culinary professionals, and in 51 Cornmarket they offer one of the defining examples of contemporary Cork cooking. Come and see just how they make the magic.
- 2.30pm: Southern Inspired cooking with Dan Relihan from Soul.
- 3:30pm: Miyazaki Takeaway: Mike McGrath and Paudie Nagel are cooking some of the best Japanese food in the country, and in this demo we will showcase Miyazaki's ‘secret ramen.’ Can’t wait!
- 4:30pm: Paradiso: The best plant-based restaurant in Europe and the definitive Cork city establishment, Paradiso is now in the hands of Dave and Miguel, so come and see how the new vegetarian cuisine is shaping up in the hands of masterly creatives.
- 5:30pm: Tongue Tied: Felix and Alex Castaldo, brothers in arms of the audaciously left-field enterprise that is Tongue Tied, will showcase just what makes their sandwiches the hottest thing in Cork City right now.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seating.
SuperValu Family Zone
11.00am–5.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Bishop Lucey Park
Enjoy child-friendly bite-size food demos and hands-on workshops, meet some of Cork's small food producers and learn all about Cork food. Pet the animals from Rumleys Farm, dive into giant games and playful activities with Let’s Play Cork, enjoy free facepainting, and sample tasty treats from Glenilen. Little creatives can get stuck into arts and crafts, plant their own seeds to take home, and refuel at the water station.
Little Foodies Tipi - Calling all mini makers and junior chefs.
- 11.00am: Family friendly stretches and Raw Treats. A gentle, family-friendly movement session led by Hazel from The Yoga Tree, designed to stretch, energise and relax both adults and children together. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of wholesome raw treats made from natural, nourishing ingredients.
- 12.00pm: Butter Making with The Butter Museum. Discover the traditional craft of butter making , hear the story of Cork’s historic butter trade and enjoy tasting freshly churned butter on bread.
- 1.00pm: Learn why bees matter and meet the bees with Hanna’s Bees. Find out how bees help pollinate the plants we rely on, hear fascinating facts about hive life, and get a closer look at these amazing insects with an experienced beekeeper.
- 2.00pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm, 4.15pm: The Cool Food School Demos, where healthy eating meets fun and creativity! Children can participate in cooking workshops where they’ll have the chance to chop, mix, and taste their way to creating delicious and wholesome snacks.
Stories & Sips: Drinks Theatre with Tastings
12.00pm–6.00pm, Sun16th Aug, Seventy Seven
Hear fascinating stories from local drinks producers and storytellers, paired with guided tastings throughout the day. Sponsored by Beamish and Murphy’s, this relaxed drop-in experience explores Cork’s evolving drinks culture across multiple sessions:
- 1.00pm: TBC
- 2.00pm: TBC
- 3.00pm: New Era Drinks – discover a wave of better-for-you, planet-conscious drinks with Active Brewing, Kombeara, Phyterberry, and My Goodness. Hosted by Kate Ryan (Flavour.ie), featuring guided tastings and stories behind each brand.
- 4.00pm: Women, Whiskey & Wild – a celebration of whiskey, flavour and fermentation with chef Caitlin Ruth and mixologist Linda O’Flynn, pairing wild-infused whiskey drinks with creative snacks and pickles.
- 5.00pm: TBC
FREE | Stories & Sips: Drinks Theatre with Tastings Register | Over 18s only.
Small Producers Pagoda (with LEO Cork City)
Meet local Cork food producers and enjoy tastings while discovering the stories behind small-scale food businesses.
Let's Play Cork & Free Facepainting
All-day outdoor play sessions with games, movement activities, and free facepainting led by play facilitators.
FREE | All welcome but limited capacity | No booking required | Parental supervision necessary.
Children’s Pasta-Making Demo
10.00am, Sun 16th Aug, Don Gregorio, Washington Street
Little chefs will discover how to create fresh, authentic Italian pasta from scratch in a fun, hands-on workshop. They’ll mix, knead, stretch and shape pasta before enjoying a delicious bowl at the end.
€20 | Kids Pasta Workshop Booking Eventbrite
The English Market Makers Demos & Tastings
12.00pm–2.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, English Market
An exclusive opening of the English Market for live demos, tastings, and stories from Cork’s iconic traders. Meet producers and enjoy demonstrations and samples from Sauer, Kay’s Kitchen, On the Hoof, Pie Guys, Uncles, and The Chicken Inn.
Free | No booking required
Sip & Frost Workshop
2.00pm–3.30pm, Sun 16th Aug, Aye, 9 Anglesea Street
A hands-on bento cake decorating workshop with French pastry chef Sophie from SophistiCake. Learn basic piping and decorating techniques while creating your own mini cake to take home. Includes a glass of prosecco (or non-alcoholic option), templates, recipes, and all materials.
€65 | SIP & FROST Eventbrite | Over 18s
Caipirinha Masterclass
6.00pm–7.30pm, Sun 16th Aug, Kino
Learn how to make the perfect caipirinha with a professional mixologist, exploring different flavour variations and techniques. Each guest will make and enjoy four cocktails in a fun, social masterclass designed for groups or individuals.