Cork on a Fork festival goes down a treat
Cork on a Fork Fest has wrapped up its biggest year yet, with sell-out events and new venues all combining to attract large crowds to its more than 150 events, almost half of which were free.
The Cork City Council festival, which ran from August 12 to 16, brought together more than 60 chefs, alongside producers, growers, restaurants, hospitality businesses and community organisations, for its largest programme since its launch in 2022.
This year’s programme reached new streets, took over heritage buildings, and animated cultural venues and public spaces, including a festival zone around South Main Street, Tuckey Street and Grand Parade, as well as Counting House, Counting House Square, and Triskel.
The reimagined Bishop Lucey Park hosted its first major festival as the SuperValu Family Zone, with free children's cooking workshops and talks, food-themed activities, and entertainment.
Almost 500 people sat down together on MacCurtain Street on opening night for the VQ Shared Table, sponsored by Birra Moretti.
Marina Market hosted the Big Table Mixer on Friday, bringing guests together around a communal table for an alcohol-free social dining experience.
And just over 108 diners gathered on Pembroke Street for a shared lunch created by Helena’s at The Imperial Hotel, Orso Kitchen, Arthur Mayne’s, The Old Town Taqueria Café and The Bookshelf.
Michelin-starred chefs Lewis Barker of Terre and Paul McDonald of Bastion cooked in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, while Rob Krawczyk of Chestnut, Aishling Moore of Goldie and Good Day Deli collaborated in the Goldie Chapel at Nano Nagle Place.
At Elizabeth Fort, Barrack Street became an open-air kitchen for Fire, Food and Fort, while the historic Counting House at the former Beamish & Crawford site opened to the public for the first time in years for a programme of drinks talks and tastings.
Cormac Ó Súilleabháin, Director of Services for City Centre Development and Operations at Cork City Council, the department that oversees the running of the festival, said: “We are hugely proud of how much Cork on a Fork Fest has grown in such a short time. There is clearly a huge engagement with the festival, and we are delighted to continue to support and fund it, in partnership with our sponsors. The festival is a component part of our wider ambition to establish Cork as an internationally recognised, top-tier food destination.
“What stood out this year was the level of collaboration. Restaurants, chefs, producers, businesses, cultural venues and community organisations all played their part, creating activity across the city and giving people new ways to experience Cork and its food.
“We would like to thank everyone who made the festival possible, from the chefs, producers, restaurants and businesses to our sponsors, partners and, of course, everyone who came out and took part.”
Cliona Barnes, Director at Cork Business Association, said: “Cork on a Fork continues to shine an important spotlight on Cork’s outstanding food offering - from the English Market to our talented chefs and our incredible restaurants, bars, cafes and hospitality businesses. August can be a quieter time of year in the city, and this gives locals and visitors alike a reason to come in and spend real time here.”
Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said: “Cork on a Fork continues to shine an important spotlight on Cork’s outstanding food offering and give visitors another compelling reason to experience the city and wider region.”
Cork on a Fork Fest is a Cork City Council festival supported by local businesses, Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Visit Cork, Cork Airport, Cork Business Association, LEO Cork City, the Irish Hotels Federation Cork, MTU, Research Ireland, headline sponsor Musgrave and a host of event partners.
For more information, visit www.corkonaforkfest.ie.