FISHY FUN AT FOOD FESTIVALS
YES, it’s festival time again, when everything from folk music to food will become a reason for celebration throughout the island. So by way of getting us in mindful mood for the culinary festivities, I will unveil my new 2024 Special Food Joke.
So, I arrived at the restaurant in Dublin. I said to the maître d’, ‘I’m sorry I’m just a little bit early for my booking.’
‘Not to worry,’ said the maître d’. ‘You don’t mind waiting, do you?’ ‘Not at all,’ I replied. ‘Grand,’ he said. ‘Table 9, haven’t had their drinks yet. Could you go over and take their order, please.’
In the south-east, Waterford’s Festival of Food (above) gets underway next month with over 80 events and activities centred around Dungarvan, and surrounding areas.
The festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest-running community culinary celebrations. It takes place from April 19-21, and encompasses foodies from nearby Lismore, Villierstown, Kilmeaden, Cappoquin and Ardmore, all showcasing their nosh.
I’m hoping to make it along; these festivals are often the very best of craic, even if culinary knowledge is sometimes absent among fellow members of my profession.
The last time I went to a food festival launch was in Antrim. The organisers had laid on caviar and champagne for journalists, both local and international.
One young reporter from Ballymoney sidled up to me as the launch unfolded and the caviar canapés were served. ‘Mal, a word in your ear,’ he whispered in conspiratorial tone. ‘The champagne’s grand. But steer clear of the blackcurrant jam. It tastes of fish.’