Community & Free
We’re proud to present a diverse programme of community-focused and free events, celebrating local food groups and producers, and ensuring the festival is accessible and welcoming to all.
*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
Taste the Goodness Community Garden Party
12.30pm-4.00pm, Wed 12th Aug, Knocknaheeny Hollyhill Community Garden
(Behind Applegreen garage)
Join NICHE Health Project for a special open garden party, celebrating community and local food. Pick fresh produce straight from the garden, enjoy live music, food, face painting, and more. A fun, relaxed event for all ages.
€2 donation | No booking required. All welcome.
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
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 | A Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Lindt Master Chocolatier Bookings open Thursday 9am | Over 18s
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.
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.
Farmers Market at Glenbrook Farm
2.00pm-6.00pm, Fri 14th Aug, Glenbrook Farm
Experience the best of local food and farming at a pop-up Farmers Market in the barn at Glenbrook Farm. Browse and buy fresh meat and seasonal vegetables, grown and produced on the farm, along with other produce from a selection of local makers and producers. Kids might even get a peek at the pigs, piglets, and chickens up close.
FREE Pay on consumption | All welcome. No booking required.
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.
Cork on a Fork Festival Zone
10.00am-5.00pm, Sat 15th Aug & Sun 16th Aug, South Main Street and Grand Parade
Experience Cork’s incredible food scene in our Festival Zone, centred around South Main Street, Grand Parade, the Musgrave Family Fun Zone in Bishop Lucey Park, and Triskel.
FREE | All welcome.
Cork on a Fork Markets & Open Street Event
10.00am-5.00pm, Sat 15 & Sun 16th Aug, South Main Street and Surrounds
South Main Street will be pedestrianised for an Open Streets event, creating a relaxed, traffic-free space for the Festival Market, which will extend onto Tuckey Street and Grand Parade. Enjoy delicious Cork food, Cork craft stalls, live music, and street theatre throughout the day. Meet the animals at the pop-up Rumleys Farm and enjoy free family-friendly activities including giant games and face painting. A day of food, entertainment, community, and family fun in the heart of the city, supported by Open Streets, a net-zero city pilot project.
FREE | All welcome.
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: TBC
- 2.30pm: TBC
- 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.
Farmers Market & BBQ at Glenbrook Farm
10.00am-5.00pm, Sat 15th Aug, Glenbrook Farm
Experience the best of local food and farming at a pop-up Farmers Market in the barn at Glenbrook Farm. Browse and buy fresh meat and seasonal vegetables, grown and produced on the farm, along with other produce from a selection of local makers and producers. There will be BBQ food available all day to purchase and kids might even get a peek at the pigs, piglets, and chickens up close.
FREE Pay on consumption | All welcome | No booking required.
Library Feeding Time at the Wormery
11.00am, Sat 15th Aug, Hollyhill Library
The Hollyhill Library worms are hungry! Can you guess what their favourite foods are? Come along and meet our wiggly friends, discover what they love to munch on, and learn how they help the Hollyhill Library garden grow and thrive. Suitable for children aged 5+.
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 water kefir to kombucha, with a few surprises along the way, we explore the craft, the art and the science behind fermented drinks that don't forget about flavour. Featuring BKultured's refreshing water kefir + more.
- 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.
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
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
Behind the Scenes at Blarney Brewing
1.00pm-1.45pm & 2.00pm-2.45pm, Sat 15th Aug, Blarney Brewing, Commons Road
Go behind the scenes at Blarney Brewing and discover how great beer and circular food systems go hand in hand. Their brewers will explain how Blarney Brewing beers are made, from grain to glass, and how brewery by-products are reused locally as part of their future sustainability objectives. Perfect for beer lovers, and anyone curious about how local brewing fits into Cork’s food ecosystem.
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
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: TBC
- 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.
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.
SuperValu Family Zone
11.00am-5.00pm, Sat 15th & 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 free water station.
Little Foodies Tipi
Calling all mini makers and junior chefs.
- 11.00am: Storytelling with Cork City Library. The team at the Children and Young People’s Library invite you to dig into a delicious world of stories, all inspired by food! Young listeners can enjoy stories packed with flavours, fun, and imagination.
- 11.45am: Sausage making with O'Flynn Sausages. See how sausages are prepared, learn about the ingredients that go into them, and enjoy a fun demonstration from the experts.
- 12.30pm: Make seed bombs with Niamh Cawley, Community Gardener in the Glen. Get hands-on creating seed bombs to take home, while learning how simple planting projects can help brighten local spaces and support biodiversity.
- 1.15pm: 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.
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 and Facepainting
Have lots of fun playing outdoor games with the Let’s Play Cork play leaders and enjoy free facepainting all day.
FREE | All welcome but limited capacity | No booking required | Parental supervision necessary.
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
Heritage Seed Swap
12.15pm-2.15pm, Sun 16th Aug, Courtyard at Triskel Arts Centre
A community seed swap celebrating biodiversity and food culture, where participants can exchange heritage, open-pollinated seeds and learn about preserving plant diversity. Bring labelled seeds if you have them, or simply join in and take part using shared stock.
Free | No booking required