Meet chefs, producers, drinks specialists, and food storytellers as they share the stories behind Cork’s dynamic culinary scene. These engaging events offer a delicious way to discover the city’s food culture, with plenty of opportunities to sample bites and sips along the way.
*Please note booking fees may apply on some events
Tasting Notes: A Cork Tasting Experience
6.00pm-8.00pm, Thurs 13th Aug, Bakestone Perry Street
Explore how simple ingredients like coffee, cacao, grapes, milk, and wheat transform into complex flavours. Hosted by Bakestone Café, Cork experts explain the roles of terroir, fermentation, roasting, and more in creating exceptional food and drink. Led by food writer Kate Ryan, the experience features Wildflour, Café Moly, The Lost Valley Dairy, Ballymaloe Cookery School and Hungry Crow, and includes a guided sensory tasting. A Coffee House Lates event, supported by Cork City Council and Cork Business Association.
€30 | Tasting Notes: A Cork Tasting Experience Peoples Republic of Cork Bookings
Food For Thought Mini-Symposium
9.30am-12.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, St Peters
A free industry-focused and led mini symposium looking at food tourism in Cork and storytelling for food businesses - for the people who grow, cook, share and celebrate food. MC’d by Kate Ryan, Flavour.ie.
- 9.30am: Food and Tourism panel discussion. In 2025, Fáilte Ireland launched an all-Ireland campaign to position Ireland as the world’s gourmet capital. How can Cork redefine itself as Ireland’s Food Capital and become the world region of gastronomy, showcasing the best of the Cork city and county’s food heritage and culture in a sustainable, authentic way? Leading experts, from food tourism strategists and policymakers to brand builders and chefs, share insights and debate how everyone can contribute to Cork’s ambitious culinary vision.
- 11.00am:Storytelling for food business. An interactive panel offering practical tips for food and drink businesses, from growers to hospitality providers, on telling their brand story authentically and engagingly. Panellists Caroline Hennessy, Chris Tower, and Aishling McCarthy share insights on reaching audiences and tailoring messages for different platforms.
FREE | Food Symposium Bookings.
Spinning Back the Years
11.00am, Fri 14th Aug, The City Library – Rory Gallagher Music Library
This is a toe tapping, taste testing trip into the golden age of the Irish showband era (1950s–1970s). Crackling gramophone records, larger than life stories, and classic Cork flavours bring back a time when the city’s ballrooms buzzed, parish halls swung, and every weekend promised music, dancing, and a late-night home. It’s Cork culture with the volume turned up.
FREE | No booking required.
Hands-On Food for a Sustainable Cork with Cork Food Policy Council
12.30pm-2.30pm, Fri 14th Aug, St Peters
Join Cork Food Policy Council for engaging events focused on sustainability, food education, and community action:
- 12:30pm: Stop Food Waste. Larry Murphy will give a demonstration on the Bokashi Method of composting. This is a very easy composting process and only requires a small bin and some bran. It produces powerful liquid feed for your garden plants, Larry Murphy has been using this method for years and will demonstrate how to go about purchasing and using.
- 1:30pm: Food & Farming. Community approaches to a resilient food future .
FREE | Hands on Food Bookings Eventbrite.
Taste of Shandon: Bells, Bread, Butter, Beef... Samosas and Sweets! Booked Out
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.
Blood Guts and Blackpudding
4.00pm-6.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, St Peters
A talk and tasting with Ireland's culinary scholar on blood pudding culture - food writer, Kate Ryan of Flavour.ie. Learn how the puddings of Cork were pivotal to the city's offal eating traditions, spice trade, and pudding making; what makes the famous drisheen so Cork and why James Joyce wrote about it in his books; and explore the reasons why we all have our favourite pudding! Kate is joined by Cork chef, Pam Kelly, who will cook up a delicious tasting plate of different Cork puddings, all washed down with locally brewed Original 7.
€10 | Blood Guts and Blackpudding Bookings Flavour.ie.
The 3 Bs: Beamish, Ballads & Bodice
6.00pm-8.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, Forde's Bar
Sample tasty Bodice (a Cork speciality of salted pork ribs) sourced locally from the English Market. Cooked by the master himself, it goes down well with their smooth Creamy Beamys (Beamish). All to the backing track of the Leesiders!
Bodice FREE | No booking required.
Stories & Sips - Drinks Stage with Tastings
12.00pm-4.00pm, Sat 15th & Sun 16th Aug, Seventy-Seven, Grand Parade.
Hosted by Caroline Hennessy (Bibliocook.com), the Drinks Stage will satisfy those with a thirst for knowledge and an interest in sampling delicious locally-made drinks from independent producers. Sponsored by Beamish and Murphys.
- 12.00pm: Cork's funky fermentation, from east to west. Discover the craft behind East Cork-based BKultured's refreshing water kefir and West Cork's Kombeara's hard kombucha as we explore and taste the art and the science behind these distinctive drinks.
- 1.00pm; Natty by nature: natural wine explained. Join Colm McCann of Le Caveau and Beverley Matthews of L'Attitude 51 to talk, taste and understand what natty winemaking is and what this means for the consumer.
- 2.00pm: Beer vs Cider: Cork craft drinks producers go head to head for a lively talk and tasting with Daniel Emerson of Stonewell Cider in the apple corner and Darren Murphy from Blacks of Kinsale showcasing the grain.
- 3.00pm; How beer made Cork:from Beamish to Murphy's and beyond, the rich brewing heritage of Cork and how it has defined the city with Colin Rynn from UCC’s Archeology Department and Seán Dunne of Grist for the Mill on Substack.
FREE |Register for Stories & Sips Eventbrite| Over 18s only.
Gather Together - Foraging Walk
11.00pm-12.30pm, Sat 15th Aug, Fitzgerald Park
A unique morning that blends nature, nourishment, and community. A gentle walk through Fitzgerald’s Park led by fermenter, forager and gardener Chloe Dempsey @fermentforagegrow, who will guide guests in identifying edible and medicinal plants. Snacks provided.
€25 |Foraging Walk Bookings Eventbrite.
Bring your Heirloom or Handwritten Recipe Book: RELISH Recipe Book Club
12.00pm–2.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, University College Cork
Join food historian and EU Horizon researcher Regina Sexton for a special interactive gathering at University College Cork. Bring your treasured family recipe books, handwritten notes and well-worn kitchen favourites. Explore the stories behind these recipes—what they reveal about Cork’s food traditions, changing tastes and culinary heritage—as part of the European RELISH research project. Perfect for anyone curious about food history, family traditions and the rich legacy of recipes passed down through generations.
FREE |RELISH Recipe Book Club Bookings
Exhibition Launch on the Market Gardens of Cork: Heritage and Biodiversity Project
12.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Cork City Library
Join Cork City Libraries for the launch of Market Gardens of Cork, a fascinating exhibition celebrating the rich history of market gardening in Cork and the communities who shaped it. The exhibition traces how generations of growers supplied the city with fresh produce, sharing their stories, traditions, and lasting influence on Cork’s local food culture. It also explores present-day practices, highlighting what has changed and what has endured.
FREE | No booking required
One Garden Many Kitchens: Recipes from the Gardens
12.00pm–2.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Togher Community Garden, Clashduv Park
Togher Community Garden will launch their second recipe book, a compilation of recipes from their garden volunteers from their home countries. Come along, pick up the book and sample exciting food from around the world. A feast of flavours from one garden with many kitchens!
FREE | All welcome | No booking required
International Tea Ceremony - Booked Out
2.00pm–4.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Tea Room & Lecture Theatre, Cork School of Architecture, Nano Nagle Place
This special event invites you to explore global tea traditions through taste, story and conversation. Sample a range of teas from around the world and enjoy a small selection of traditional bites, while learning about the cultural significance and rituals that make each tea experience unique. Guests will also hear Izz Alkarajeh telling Palestinian tea stories, Khalid Blue sharing Ethiopian coffee stories, Saham presenting Moroccan tea stories, and Mosel with Brazilian coffee stories.
FREE | International Tea Ceremony Bookings Eventbrite
Whiskey and Chocolate Pairing
2.00pm–3.30pm, Sat 15th Aug, Shelbourne Bar Cork
Sample luxury whiskeys paired with delicious chocolates at the Shelbourne Bar in collaboration with Chocolate Shop. A relaxed tasting experience designed for anyone who enjoys a good sip and a sweet bite.
€30 | Whiskey & Chocolate Pairing 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.
€50 | Sailing Shucking and Shanties Bookings Cork Harbour Tours
Gin & Cheese Tasting
6.30pm, Sat 15th Aug, Rebel City Distillery
Indulge in a flavour-led Maharani Gin & Cheese Tasting at Rebel City Distillery. Enjoy a guided tasting of Maharani Gin paired with high-quality local artisan cheeses, Spanish gildas, and nibbles in a relaxed, social experience designed to delight your senses.
€35 | Gin & Cheese Tasting Booking| Over 18s
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.
Triskel Talks & Tastings Stage
11.00am–4.30pm, Sun 16th Aug, Triskel Arts Centre
Hear fascinating stories from the local food industry, paired with tastings throughout the day, in this lively drop-in talks programme celebrating food, sustainability, and global flavours.
- 11.00am: Seed Sovereignty with Sow Diverse: Discover how seed sovereignty can transform our food future with Randa and Patrick Howell from Sow Diverse, alongside GIY’s Mick Kelly and Talamh Beo. This inspiring session explores reclaiming control of our seeds, food systems, and communities from the ground up, followed by a Heritage Seed Swap in the courtyard.
- 12.00pm: Saucy! with Kev Aherne: Award-winning chef Kev Aherne (Sage) shares how to transform everyday cooking using bold, flavour-packed sauces, dips, and condiments. Learn how to create quick, delicious midweek meals while unlocking new ways to cook with confidence and creativity.
- 1.00pm: Jay Choi’s Korean Kitchen: Explore the rise of Korean food with Jay Choi of Ogam Korean as she shows how to recreate iconic dishes at home, from bibimbap and kimchi to viral favourites like smashed cucumber salad. Expect big flavours, practical tips, and live tastings.
- 2.00pm: Get Pickled with Dr. Julia Skinner: A hands-on fermentation and preserving session exploring pickles, infused vinegars, and food history with Dr. Julia Skinner. Includes live demo, tasting ideas, and book signings of Our Fermented Lives and Essential Food Preserving.
- 3.00pm: Waste-Free Cooking with Lorna O’Regan: Learn how to create no-bake energy bites and transform a mystery veggie box into simple, nutritious meals. A practical, fun session focused on reducing food waste, eating well, and reconnecting with seasonal Cork produce.
FREE | No booking required (limited seating)
Grub Circus Takes Over St. Peter’s
11.00am–5.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, St. Peter’s
Joe McNamee’s Grub Circus brings its own brand of edible anarchy to St Peter’s, with a day-long programme of events featuring some of Cork’s finest food producers, makers and chefs. Events include: a Kids’ Cook-off, led by star chefs; The ‘Holy Trinity’ of Milleens, Durrus and Gubbeen, Ireland’s first farmhouse cheeses; Experience the taste of real bread from Cork-based baker-members of Real Bread Ireland; Natural wines; Cold Cuts, Cork’s top mixologists, shake their stuff; and choirmaster Patrick D’Alton leads the heavenly choirs. Includes free audience tastings and special guests.
Free | No booking required
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
Tutored Beer Tasting & Micro-Brewery Visit
12.00pm–12.45pm, Sun 16th Aug, Elbow Lane
Step inside Ireland’s smallest brewery and discover limited-edition, award-winning beers in an informal guided tasting. Includes four tasting beers, pinchos, a brewery overview, and an Elbow Lane organic cotton T-shirt.
€60 | Tutored Beer Tasting Bookings Elbow Lane | Over 18s