SUNSHINE, CRAIC AND GREAT FOOD!

Weather gives Food& Wine Festival recipe for success

WEXFORD was blessed with good weather over the weekend, with thousands of people flocking to the annual Food and Wine Festival to enjoy the sunshine, the craic and sone great food.

On Saturday and on Sunday the open air Food Producers Market at Selskar Square and South Main Street in the heart of Wexford town hosted food producers from Wexford, the wider region and Wales with a variety of local and regional and Welsh artisan produce on offer.

Stalls ranged from those selling churros to kebabs, from Lebanese delicacies to pasties from Wales, from replica Viking helmets to some of the best Wexford produce, with Wexford strawberries well represented too.

Outside of the food and wine events a Wexford Craft beer Trail was on offer with producers Simon Lambert & Sons and The Sky and the Ground teaming showcasing some of their latest range and also some special brews.

Other events taking place as part of the festival included Foraging trips to The Raven, A Food Rescue demonstration in The Arts Centre on how to cook up a feast from ‘scraps’, and Beekeepers in Selskar.

To add to the festival atmosphere, a tasty side helping of family entertainment was provided with a foodie photo competition and ‘ Live Mic’ entertainment in both South main Street and Selskar.

The festival got off to a flying start on Friday evening with a charity event for the Windmill Therapeutic Centre - ‘A Taste of Burgundy’ - at Kelly’s Hotel Rosslare where guests enjoyed an open Burgundy wine tasting followed by a special dinner with complementing wines.

Organisers of the festival said it was a major boost to the Wexford economy and a great start to the summer season.

Crowds sample the food fare on offer in Selskar.

Henry and Agnes Labudda at your service.

Jackie Doyle, Sinead Hynes, Ann Breen and Aisling Prasher enjoying the fun on Sunday afternoon.

Catherine Hillis, James Farrell, Charmaine Farrell and Jasmine Farrell.

Theresa Byrne, Emer Ryan, Bronagh Reilly, Gary Johnston, Megan Johnston and Brien Reilly relax in the sun at the Food & Wine Festival.

Lee Smith and Lorraine Walsh.

Steve O’Flynn of The Sausage Experience.

Ola Riguet serves up some colourful and healthy options.