This is the 13th annual festival and the event celebrates the produce and food culture of the surrounding rich pastureland, home to some of Ireland and Europe’s best food. While the produce of its dairy and meat sector are internationally renowned, the Savour Kilkenny festival celebrates local artisan products and a vibrant local restaurant and café culture which has seen the area become a leading food and food tourism destination.
The Savour Kilkenny festival takes place over the October bank holiday weekend at the end of Autumn and at the end of the traditional harvest season and draws tens of thousands of visitors; increasingly it is now also a homecoming festival for local people living away from the Marble City.
The focus of Savour Kilkenny is on an informal gathering on the city’s medieval parade public space in front of the eight centuries old Kilkenny Castle, where people can sample the fare from dozens of artisan food stalls and listen and watch demonstrations from leading Irish and international chefs and food personalities.
The MAIN SAVOUR STAGE (view Chefs List) programme of cookery demos is being MCd by Siobhan Donohoe and Edward Hayden with Stage Management by Ken Maguire Demos and the Chefs taking part on stage this year are as follows:
SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER 2019
11am – Laura & Rory Gannon
12pm – Paul Flynn
1pm – Roz Purcell
2pm – Kathryn Thomas in Conversation
3pm – Rory O’Connell
4pm – Darren Kennedy
11am – Ken Harker & John Kelly
12pm – Chris Sandford
1pm – Edward Hayden & Anne Neary
2pm – The 4 Ingredients Chef
3pm – Catherine Fulvio
5pm – Clodagh McKenna (Charged)
Special food events take place in local hotels, restaurants and eateries and these book up early every year as patrons seek a special night out from the informal to the five star. The festival also features the fast-growing brewing and distilling industry locally with a craft beer and spirit tent on the Parade and expert tasting events taking place across the city too.
WELLNESS STAGE (view Wellness List) at the KBC BANK, Timetable is as follows:
SATURDAY 26th OCTOBER 2019
11am – Catherine O’Keeffe – Eating well in mid-life
12:30pm – Aileen Cox Blundell – Baby-led Feeding
2pm – James Fennelly & George Peet – Fighting Fit Food
3pm – Ellen Roche & ASI – Eating well for Dementia
4pm – D Furlong, N Ryan, J Mahon – Addressing Dysphasia
SUNDAY 27th OCTOBER 2019
11am – April Dannan – Fermentation for Good Gut Health
12:30pm – Linda Murray & Jenny White – Mood Food & Gut-Brain connection
2pm – Jeeny Maltese – The Curative Properties of Herbs
3:30pm – Essie May – Sprout up your life
The events on the Wellness stage are FREE, BUT TICKETED. You can reserve your place at any of these talks by emailing KBC Kilkenny – kilkenny@kbc.ie or telephone (056) 7746980.
SAVOUR SPECIAL TALKS
Savour Kilkenny and the Local Enterprise Office have joined forces to host this special event for anyone interested in starting a food business. Learn from guest speakers James Burke, Ireland’s leading advisor in the food sector, Helen Gee of G’s Gourmet Jams, award-winning live yoghurt producer, Nicholas Dunne of Killowen Farm and Margaret Hoctor of Killmullen Lamb. There will also be Q&A’s and group mentoring sessions with speakers. (See More Click Here)
The GOOD VIBE HIVE Stage will be hosting workshop which will explore the important role of dairy as part of a balanced diet, growing your own organic vegetables, how we can live more sustainably in ways that are realistic and practical for individuals and businesses, discussions around veganism and alternatives for farmers who wish to move away from animal production, an exploration into the wonderful world of organic wine and many more. (See Workshop Listings Here)
Whether you’re a food business start-up, an aspiring food blogger or just looking to give your current business the edge online, you can join me (Zack Gallagher) at 3pm on Saturday 26th, at the Good Vibe Hive, as I share some tips on how to better promote your business online using better web practices and a better use of social media!
There are some great Children’s Events and workshops happening as part of the festival programme and here’s a round-up of this year’s top children’s events:
- DÉISE MEDIEVAL – A LIVING HISTORY – MEET THE REAL VIKINGS!
Ancient Ireland is brought to life in Ireland’s Ancient East with this unique event, which is ideal for Viking lovers of all ages. Meet real Vikings and experience the daily life and crafts of our ancestors, with period tents full of homely furniture and household goods, food displays and authentic cooking over open fires. Taking place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October from 12pm – 4pm in The Parade & Castle Park, festival-goers can enjoy spinning, weaving, leather-working, coin striking and woodwork demonstrations.
- AGRI AWARE’S MOBILE FARM – LEARN ABOUT FARM ANIMALS AND IRISH FARMS
Returning once again is the Agri Aware’s Mobile Farm. This unique outdoor classroom, running on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th from 11am – 4pm, educates children and adults through a hands-on learning experience. Young and old are invited to come along and learn all about the different farm animals on Irish farms and their roles in producing quality food that is safe and affordable for consumers. Perfect for children of all ages. This event is free.
- THE COOL FOOD SCHOOL – OVERCOME YOUR KID’S FEAR OF FOOD
If you struggle to get your kids to eat healthy foods, then The Cool Food School is the family event for you! Through innovative, interactive, sensory and healthy eating workshops, The Cool Food School makes food fun for kids. Their goal is to break down the fear of new foods by letting kids interact with food through activities. Workshops are suitable for children aged from 3 to 10 and run on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th from 10am – 12noon in The Good Vibe Hive, The Parade. Tickets cost €10 and for more detailed information on the specific workshops and to book, click HERE.
All in all, there is a massive programme of events planned for the 2019 Savour Kilkenny! I'll be there with Ken Maguire Demos and in the Good Vibe Hive at 3pm Saturday, so do call over and say hello.
You can Download the Full 2019 Savour Kilkenny Programme PDF Brochure, Click HERE
Zack
