Tempting treats, fun and games – it must be the Macroom Food Festival
MACROOM will once again be transformed into a culinary mecca over the weekend of September 21 -24 with the return of the town’s annual Food festival.
Back in 2012 a group of local businesspeople and volunteers joined forces in a bid to promote the town’s rich heritage and the region’s reputation for culinary excellence and fine artisan foods.
Over the intervening years the Macroom Food Festival has grown to become one of the most exciting and colourful events of its kind in Cork, attracting visitors from far and wide to savour its arresting aromas, tasty treats and sumptuous sights.
The organising committee has been busy over the past few months planning a full and exciting programme of events for the 2017 Festival, with something to suit all ages and tastes taking place at venues including the Riverside Park Hotel, the Town Square and the Castle Hotel.
The festival will kick-off on Thursday week with guests invited to ‘foxtrot their way down memory lane’ at a Vintage Tea Dance in the Riverside Park from 8pm.
The following day will see the return of the popular ‘An Artisan Affair’ at the Riverside Park from 7.30pm. The evening will highlight local produce, with artisans from the area coming together to present a tasting menu using locally sourced ingredients.
Saturday’s highlights will include children’s entertainment, the return of the ‘Festival Food Trail, the ‘International Food Flavours’ where people show off dishes from their home countries and the ‘Night Owl’s Taste Trial’ where people can sample culinary delights, washed down with their favourite tipple.
The day will conclude with ‘Super Organic Me’ a comedy show with Tomi James at the Castle Hotel.
Sunday will see the return of the outdoor market in the town square, including music from family trio Greenshine and the Army Band of the Southern Command, kid’s entertainment, cookery demonstrations and tastings and the Cork secondary schools ‘Cook Off ’.
The festival will draw to a close in the evening with ‘ The Secret Supper’, a three course dining experience at a location that will only be revealed when people arrive at the venue. This will be followed by the festival awards ceremony and wrap party with live music.
A spokesman said the festival promised to be a magical weekend of culture, adventure and entertainment. “The Festival attracts up to 10,000 people and this year it promises to be even bigger, busier and better than before. It will be a fun few days for families as well as a key culinary weekend in the diaries of serious food foodies,” he said.
“With so much happening it promises to be an epic feast for all the senses,” he added.
For more information and to see the full programme of events over the weekend visit www.macroomfoodfestival.com.