Cork’s thriving food scene will step into the spotlight next week as Cork on a Fork Fest returns for its fourth year from Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th August. Organised by Cork City Council, this five-day celebration of food, flavour, and community spirit will serve up a packed programme of nearly 100 events across the city — from pop-up dinners and street feasts to food trails, tastings, demos, and family fun.
The festival reaches its delicious peak over the weekend of 16th and 17th August, when Emmet Place (outside Cork Opera House) becomes the epicentre of Cork’s culinary energy. Two free marquee stages — the Cooking Demo Stage and the Talks & Tastings Stage — will feature back-to-back sessions with Cork’s top chefs, food producers, brewers, and food thinkers from 10am/11am to 6pm daily.
Among the standout names taking part are Clodagh McKenna, Aishling Moore (Goldie), Brian Murray (The Glass Curtain), and Takashi Miyazaki (Ichigo Ichie), alongside some of Cork’s brightest rising stars. Hosting duties will be shared by Joe McNamee (Irish Examiner), Kate Ryan (Flavour.ie), and John & Sally McKenna (McKenna Guides). These events are sponsored by Fáilte Ireland Ireland’s Ancient East and Wild Atlantic Way and Cork City Council.
The weekend buzz continues with a market featuring over 30 local producers and businesses, free family-friendly activities, face painting, and Play Streets on Emmet Place and Cornmarket Street.
Live Cooking Demo Stage Schedule:
Saturday 17 August
- 11am: Smokin’ Fish
Aishling Moore (Goldie) and Sally Barnes (Woodcock Smokery) show how to bring wild smoked fish to your breakfast table — from Kedgeree to Eggs Royale. - 12pm: Summer Alfresco with Clodagh McKenna
Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Couscous Salad and Lemon Possets take centre stage, followed by a book signing with Clodagh. - 1pm: Cork on a Plate
Brian Murray (The Glass Curtain) prepares a signature dish in conversation with John McKenna — a celebration of Cork’s evolving food culture. - 2pm: Tripe International Showdown
Takashi Miyazaki (Ichigo Ichie) takes on Pam Kelly (Farmgate Café) in a battle over Cork’s most divisive dish — Tripe & Drisheen. - 3pm: Young Rebel Uprising
A spotlight on Cork’s next generation of culinary talent. - 4pm: Modern Vegan & Vegetarian Food
My Goodness, Paradiso, and Meb’s Veg share plant-based innovation through cooking demos and tastings. - 5pm: Tastes of Home with Saoirse Ethnic Hands
The launch of a new multicultural cookbook with live cooking, tastings, and stories from migrant women in Cork.
Sunday 18 August
- 10am: Down Syndrome Cork Youth Club Cooking Demo
A feel-good showcase of skills honed over months of cooking classes with Chef Hugh. - 11am: A History of French Onion Soup
Rob Fitzpatrick (Market Lane) takes a delicious deep dive into a beloved classic. - 12pm: Summer Italian Supper with Clodagh McKenna
Chilli Garlic Prawn Linguine and Roasted Peaches — and another chance for a book signing with Clodagh. - 1pm: Cork on a… Stick!
A playful pinxtos-style cook-off with Pamela Kelly (The Farmgate Café), David Deveraux (51 Cornmarket) and Rebeca Recary Sanchez (St Francis Provisions) Sanchez. - 2pm: Street Food Showdown
Desi Bites’ Muzamil and EcoFish’s Jerome Williamson face off in a high-flavour street food battle. - 3pm: Irish Ingredients & Chennai Flavours
Meeran Manzoor (Rare 1784, Blue Haven) fuses spice and seasonal Irish produce in a rich cultural culinary demo. - 4pm: The Cheesemakers of Cork
A talk and tasting with cheesemakers Hegarty’s, Durrus, and Coolea, hosted by Sally McKenna. - 5pm: Rescue the Plate with FoodCloud
Zero-waste showdown featuring Ali Honour and Orla McAndrew, using surprise ingredients and judged by Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy.
Talks & Tastings Stage Schedule
Saturday 17 August
- 11am: Cork’s Food Revolution
Live podcast recording with Julian Burns (Lullaby Milk), Hanna Backmo (Hanna’s Bees) and other trailblazers, hosted by Sharon Noonan (Best Possible Taste). - 12.15pm: Liquid Gold
Celebrating Cork’s award-winning beverages with Blas na hÉireann’s Fallon Moore. Host: Sharon Noonan. - 2pm: Cork Tapas
Victor Murphy and Maire O’Mahony (O’Mahony’s, Watergrasshill) talk Cork cuisine with John McKenna, with tastings. - 3.15pm: In Gut Health
Paul Cotter (UCC, Hack Your Health) joins gut-friendly makers BKultured, Sauer, and Phyterberry. - 4.15pm: Raw Treats & Stretches
Hazel from The Yoga Tree leads a hands-on workshop creating no-bake, healthy indulgences. - 5.30pm: Splitting the C – Cork’s Independent Stout Brewers
A celebration of craft stout from Rising Sons, Original 7, Eight Degrees, 9 White Deer, and Blacks of Kinsale.
Sunday 18 August
- 10.30am: Eating Well As You Age
Practical nutrition advice with HSE dietitian Fiona Rush. - 11.30am: Workshop – Cork’s Sustainable & Healthy Food Strategy
Help shape the city’s food future with the Cork Food Policy Council. - 1pm: Italy in Cork
Da Mirco’s Mirco Fondrini shares his culinary journey with John McKenna, plus tastings. - 2.30pm: Blasta Book Authors Talk Food & Story
Chefs Aishling Moore, Caitlin Ruth, Orla McAndrew, and Eman & Izz Alkarajeh on the power of food storytelling - 4pm: The Journey of Five Farms & Bakestone
Discover the farm-to-bottle journey of this standout Irish cream liqueur — with tastings (Over 18s). - 5pm: Growing Together with Sow Diverse
A closing conversation with Cork Food Policy Council on local food resilience.
Cork on a Fork Festival is organised by Cork City Council in partnership with local hospitality businesses, and supported by Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork, the Cork Business Association, IHF Cork Branch, MTU, Cork Airport, and local sponsors.
For more see www.corkonaforkfest.ie
Credit – ETC PR & Marketing
