Sunday, 16th August '26
Cork on a Fork Festival Zone
10.00am-5.00pm, 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, 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.
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, 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.
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.
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)
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
Dough-n't Stop Believin'
11.00am,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' Booking Epomeo Pizza
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
Aye Brunch Club: Local Plates & Bloody Marys
12.00pm–5.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Aye, 9 Anglesea Street
A relaxed, social brunch celebrating Cork’s local produce and food culture, with storytelling woven throughout the experience. Guests can enjoy a seasonal brunch menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, house-made pastries, a Bloody Mary station with local garnishes and house mixes, plus non-alcoholic options.
Price based on consumption | Aye Brunch Club: Local Plates & Bloody Marys - Eventbrite | Over 18s.
Chase the Fairy Absinthe Experience
12.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Rebel City Distillery
Join Rebel City Distillery for Ireland’s only absinthe experience, celebrating the alchemy and artistry behind the spirit. Includes a guided distillery tour, welcome absinthe on arrival, and two absinthe cocktails, with non-alcoholic options available.
€50 | Spirit School Booking TripAdmit | Over 18s.
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
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
Cork Food and Fashion Brunch
12.30pm, Sun 16th Aug, Bakestone, Perry Street
A stylish brunch celebrating Cork food and fashion, featuring a Blacks of Kinsale drinks reception, a seasonal two-course brunch, and stories from local producers. Includes a fashion showcase from Opera Lane, hosted by Helen Murphy and styled by Breeda O’Connell, plus seasonal styling tips and spot prizes.
€60 | PROC Tickets
Sophie's Aperitivo Club
12.30pm–3.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Sophie’s at The Dean
A rooftop brunch celebrating Cork’s food and drink scene, featuring locally sourced plates, Blacks Brewery cocktails, skyline views, and a lively atmosphere with music and social dining.
€35 | Sophie's Aperitivo Club - Eventbrite |Over 18s
Casa Brazil meets Greece Sunday
2.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Casa at The Rendezvous
A premium chef-hosted family-style celebration at Casa at The Rendezvous, blending the warmth and hospitality of Brazilian and Greek traditions. Guests will be transported by shuttle from Cork city centre to enjoy a vibrant afternoon and evening of live music, generous sharing dishes, and signature cocktails. The menu highlights the best of both cultures using top-quality local Cork produce.
€79 | Booking opens soon | Over 18s
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
The Market Table – An English Market Zero-Waste Dinner with FoodCloud and Orla McAndrew
3.00pm–6.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, English Market
€85 | Zero Waste Dinner - Eventbrite
Da Mirco Osteria & Fiáin: Hedgerow Piatti & Wild Aperitivo
4.00pm–9.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Da Mirco
For one night only, Head Chef Sergio Gurrea and forager Epi Rogan present a wild, seasonal Italian-inspired menu of inventive small plates and cocktails. Expect bold flavour pairings like wild garlic kimchi with gorgonzola martinis, cep and bresaola dishes, beach rose cocktails, and meadowsweet cannoli.
Plates from €10–€15 | Walk-ins only
Chef Collaboration at Goldie Chapel
5.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Goldie Chapel, Nano Nagle Place
A highlight of Cork on a Fork Fest, this one-night-only dining experience at the stunning Goldie Chapel at Nano Nagle Place brings together three of Cork’s most celebrated chefs for a truly special collaboration. Michelin-starred Rob Krawczyk of Chestnut joins Bib Gourmand-awarded Aishling Moore of Goldie and Head Pastry Chef Eric Nolan Eric Nolan from the much-loved Good Day Deli for a 3-course collaborative menu focused on exceptional local produce. The evening begins with a garden drinks reception and includes paired drinks throughout.
€165 | Chef Collab at Goldie Chapel - 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.
€30 | Caipirinha Masterclass - Eventbrite | Over 18s
Spice Route Supper Club
7.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, Rebel City Distillery
Rebel City Distillery and The Spice Genie come together for an intimate pop-up supper club celebrating the vibrant meeting of Indian spices and Cork craft. Enjoy a shared-table 3-course dining experience from guest chef Christopher Braganza, showcasing bold South Indian flavours paired with Maharani Gin and Vodka. Includes a welcome Gin & Tonic, stories of spice and botanicals, a signature cocktail, and absinthe on the rocks in the atmospheric setting of a working distillery.
€75 | Spice Route Supper Club-TripAdmit | Over 18s
The River Lee Loves Local Dinner
7.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, The Mirror Room at The River LeeThis special dinner in The Mirror Room at The River Lee will celebrate the best local ingredients, thoughtfully crafted into a four-course menu by Executive Head Chef, Paul Lane. This is an evening to savour, share, and connect with the producers behind the plate.
€95 | River Lee Loves Local Booking
The Glass Curtain X Leo’s London
7.00pm, Sun 16th Aug, The Glass Curtain
An exclusive one-night collaboration between The Glass Curtain and Leo’s London, bringing together Chef Peppe Belvedere, sommelier Jono Wingfield, and Chef Brian Murray’s team for a refined Italian-inspired tasting menu. Expect a multi-course seasonal dining experience with optional wine pairings designed to complement each dish.
€90 | Bookings open June 17th on theglasscurtain.ie | Over 18s
*Please note booking fees may apply on some events