Food and drink producers take part in October Feast
WICKLOW Naturally’s ‘October Feast’ will feature a programme of activities showcasing the abundance of producers in the Garden County.
For the month of October, Wicklow Naturally producers will be highlighting what they do through online videos direct from their farms, winery, distilleries, cafés, gardens and kitchens. There will be foraging tours, recipes, cookery demonstrations, afternoon teas, meet the makers days and so much more.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr Pat Kennedy said: ‘Wicklow County Council is delighted to support the development of Wicklow Naturally which showcases all that is excellent about the food and drink on offer from the Garden of Ireland. Never before has it been more important to support local producers, retailers, restaurateurs, pubs and all those involved in the food and hospitality sector. We very much appreciate the support from our partners in this initiative.’
Events that will take place include signature Wicklow dishes served up at a Super Club at Lily’s on Church Street in Wicklow town on Thursday, October 20. On the same date, Catherine Fulvio of Ballyknocken House and Cookery School will do an extra-special IGTV where she’ll cook using the delicious Kilmullen Farm lamb, as well as using ingredients from her garden.
On Friday, October 9, and Sunday, October 25, Joe Hayden will greet everyone on Facebook from his dairy farm in Tinahely where his herd produce the milk to make Bailey’s Irish Cream. On Friday, you can also meet the makers of Wicklow Rapeseed Oil at SuperValu in Wicklow town.
On Saturday, October 10, October 17, October 24 and October 31 you can meet Santiago Balbontin outside the Fish Man on South Quay in Wicklow town and buy his homemade sauces, jams and oils. Peter and Renee Martin run the Vital Health Cafe in Wicklow town and Renee will be talking about veganism and sustainability on Saturday, October 10. A foraging tour with Geraldine Kavanagh also takes place on Saturday, October 10, starting from Aughrim Market.
On Sunday, Courtney Tyler will be leading a fermentation masterclass in the Fermentation shed in Glenealy.
On Monday, October 12, Kelly’s Fruit and Veg will introduce the ‘Made in Wicklow’ shelf as part of Wicklow Naturally’s October Feast. You can meet the maker of Mic’s Chilli at SuperValu in Wicklow town on Friday, October 16, or go on a mushroom hunt with Bill O’Dea in Rathdrum on Sunday, October 18.
You will be taken on a virtual wine tasting journey featuring Wicklow Way Wines’ Irish strawberry, blackberry and raspberry wines by Brett, the winemaker on Thursday, October 22, while a Ballyneerin Eggs talk and sale takes place at Nick’s Coffee Shop in Wicklow town on the same date.
Customers at SuperValu in Wicklow town will have the opportunity to meet the makers from Old MacDonnell’s Farm which is based in the Glens of the Downs on Friday, October 23.
On Saturday, October 24, Courtney Taylor will lead a foraging trip of 12 people, teaching them how to forage and safely identify what wild plants and fungi are safe to consume.
Olive and Pat are the makers of The Birds and The Teas and they will be present at SuperValu in Wicklow town on Friday, October 30.
Speaking about ‘ October Feast’, Pamela Walsh of Wicklow Way Wines said: ‘Here in the Garden of Ireland, we have some of the country’s finest producers. They are truly amazing and our food and drink network is all about championing the work we all do. ‘Wicklow has everything – a winery, distilleries, breweries, jam makers, chocolate makers, nougat makers, lamb producers, fruit and vegetable growers, wagyu beef farmers, vegan cafes, amazing chefs, Wicklow signature dishes, fabulous hotels, B&Bs and forest adventures. We are inviting everyone to join us on Wicklow Naturally’s social media channels. Times have been very challenging for all businesses.’
For more details about October Feast, see https://wicklownaturally.ie/events.