Against the backdrop of the Bluestack Mountains and Donegal Bay a mixture of celebrity and local chefs will again be cooking up a storm over the weekend of the 23rd, 24th and 25th August.
This years festival has once again gathered together top local restaurants and hotels and over 100 food and drink producers from all over Ireland and Northern Ireland who will be showcasing and selling their products. The food stalls will also be offering tastings from an unbelievable variety of food and drink, wine and craft beers, confectionery, specialist foods, meat, fish and dairy products.
Cookery demonstrations over the weekend will include:
Neven Maguire, Gary O’Hanlon(Donegal Food Ambassador), Tony Singh (the Incredible Spice Man), Kevin Dundon (Dunbroody House), Brian Mc Dermott (the No Salt Chef), Anthony Armstrong, Máire Dufficy (Bordbia), Philippe Henkes, Martin Anderson (Fat Chef Slim), Ciaran Kennedy, Ethna Reynolds (Burlesque Chef) and me, Zack Gallagher (Irish Food Guide). There's also a Comedy Cookery Theatre by Joe Shannon & Frank Forde.
The food festival will also include master classes by experts who will showcase their specialist skills in pastry and bread making, meal planning, cocktail mixing and will help you make the right decision when choosing wine and craft beers for all meal occasions.
"A Passion To Inspire" Chefs Competition will take place under the watchful eye of Anthony Armtrong a judge from the World Association of Chefs Society , Peter Griffths M.B.E., President British Culinary Federation, Gerard M. Molloy American Culinary Federation and Mr Bob Mc Donald, Judges from the Master Chefs of Great Britain. Entrants will be required to cook and present two different dishes, a starter and a main course, each for two covers, showcasing the best of Irish produce.
The Committee say they are looking forward to again welcoming people to what has become the premier food and drink event here in the North West and one of the best Food Festivals in Ireland!
To quote Chairperson of the organising committee and award winning master butcher, Ernan Mc Gettigan, “Come along and experience the wonderful food and drink variety available. We promise to tantalise your taste buds and as our caption says, Discover, Dine, and Delight in Donegal Town over this festival weekend and indeed every time you visit this region”.
Award winning chef Gary O'Hanlon, originally from Ramelton and currently executive chef at Viewmount House, Longford, has written a new book"Food for the Soul" and the book's official launch takes place during A Taste of Donegal Food Festival, this weekend!
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| Gary O'Hanlon will be launching his new book, Food for the Soul, at this years festival |
In this cookbook Gary opens the door to his own kitchen with recipes for home cooked dishes each with a very unique story attached. Gary will be signing copies of the book on Saturday and Sunday. You can purchase them at a special launch price of just €10.00.
A Taste of Donegal Food Festival will take place on Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August 2014 on the Pier Area in Donegal Town. The Festival will open to the public at 4.00pm to 10.00pm Friday, 11.00.am to 7.00pm Saturday and Sunday.
The opening evening (Friday) will conclude with an amazing fireworks display over Donegal Bay!
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| Last year's Fireworks Display looked stunning over Donegal Bay |
Admission is only €4.00 per adult, €2.00 per child and only €10.00 for a weekend pass!
Extra Parking is Available during A Taste of Donegal Food Festival at these positions around town
Abbey Vocational School – The Glebe, Donegal Town
Donegal Livestock Mart – (behind the St. John Bosco Centre)
Four Masters GAA Pitch – Revlin, Mountcharles Road, Donegal Town
Behind Donegal Tyre Centre – Drumlonagher, Donegal Town.
Public Car Parks - behind Main Street, Bank Walk, and any other designated parking areas available.
For the full programme of events and regular updates go to www.atasteofdonegal.com and find A Taste of Donegal on Facebook. Tweet your pics/messages to @DonegalFood with the hashtag #TasteOfDonegal
I look forward to seeing you all there!
Zack
