Sunday, 17th August '25
Elevate & Unwind
10.00am - 12.00noon, Sunday 17th August, Penthouse Suite, The Imperial Hotel
Start your Sunday with movement, mindfulness, and a touch of luxury. Enjoy a 1-hour pilates class led by Sian Horn, followed by a 25-minute wellness and beauty talk, all set against breathtaking rooftop views from the Imperial's Penthouse Suite. Afterwards, nourish yourself with a healthy breakfast made from local ingredients and take home a goodie bag filled with wellness treats.
Tickets: €40 per person. Book here
Cork on a Fork Food Market & Play Street
11.00am - 5.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Emmet Place (outside the Crawford Art Gallery)
Get a taste of Cork's incredible produce and local businesses at the Cork on a Fork Food Market. There will also be live music and family fun with giant games and free facepainting during the day. A Cork City Council event, sponsored by Failte Ireland, Ireland's Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Cork on a Fork Cooking Demo Live Stage
11.00am - 6.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
A 100-seat Festival Cooking Demo Stage on Emmet Place (outside the Cork Opera House) all day with a host of demos and tastings. The events are MC'd by food writers Joe McNamee from the Irish Examiner, John and Sally McKenna from McKenna Guides, and Kate Ryan from Flavour.ie.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Rob Fitzpatrick, Market Lane
11.00am, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
Join Rob Fitzpatrick, head chef at the iconic Market Lane Restaurant on Oliver Plunkett St, one of the busiest and most beloved restaurants in Cork city, for this fantastic demo. A graduate of GMIT and MTU, Rob spent many years working in kitchens around the world before joining the Market Lane Group, eventually taking over the kitchen there in 2023.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Cork on A Fork Talks and Tastings Stage
11.00am-6.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Talks and Tastings Stage, Emmet Place
Tastings, panel discussions, and masterclasses on local food, drink, and industry insights.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Summer Italian Supper with Clodagh McKenna
12.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
Clodagh McKenna, one of Cork's most famous chefs, will host a cooking demo featuring Chilli Garlic Prawn Linguine and Roasted Peaches with honey, mascarpone and hazelnut crumb, followed by a book signing. A renowned chef, TV presenter, and food columnist, Clodagh is the author of eight cookbooks, including the best-selling In Minutes and Clodagh’s Weeknight Kitchen. She is a resident chef on ITV’s This Morning and has hosted five TV series. Clodagh lives on her 100-acre sustainable farm in the UK.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Summer Tapas on the Terrace
From 12 noon, Sunday 17th August, Cornstore Cork
Guests will enjoy a signature Midleton Whiskey cocktail paired with a locally-sourced tapas plate on the terrace for €35. To enhance the experience guests can also opt for a Midleton Whiskey tasting board or indulge in a whiskey-inspired dessert—crafted with care and Cork flavour.
Tickets €35. To book tel 021 4274777 or email cork@cornstore.com
Cork on a… Stick! A Cork Cook-Off, with a Twist!
1.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
Returning for 2025, three chefs compete to design, cook and present their take on a Cork Pinxtos. Who will be crowned the 2025 Cork on a Stick champion? Pamela Kelly (The Farmgate Café), David Deveraux (51 Cornmarket) and Rebeca Recary Sanchez (St Francis Provisions) will each put their best fork forward to present a single tasty bite using a Cork ingredient they love! MC'd by Kate Ryan (Flavour.ie)
FREE All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
The Met x Maharani Afternoon Tea
1-4pm, Sunday 17th August, The Met, Metropole Hotel
The Met and Rebel City Distillery come together for a delicious fusion Of Cork and Kerala for this special Afternoon Tea, blending local flavours with Indian botanicals. Guests will be welcomed with a refreshing Maharani Gin & Tonic, followed by a Summer Berry Afternoon Tea inspired by the bold flavours of Maharani Gin—crafted in Cork using botanicals from a women’s co-op in Kerala. Sweet and savoury treats will be served with tea and coffee in the elegant Tea Room at The Metropole.
Tickets €45 pp. Book here
Botanics & Bites at Bloom
1-6pm, Sunday 17th August, Bloom at Hayfield Manor
Indulge in a carefully crafted botanical cocktail and a sharing board featuring a selection of produce from leading local suppliers for two in Hayfield Hotel's garden venue Bloom. This offer is available daily throughout the duration of the festival.
Tickets €50 for 2. To book call 021 4845900 or email events@hayfieldmanor.ie
Street Food Showdown
2.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
Get ready for a sizzling street food showdown as some of Cork’s most exciting culinary talents go head-to-head in a live cook-off. Darren O’Connell of Kay’s Kitchen and Jerome Williamson of EcoFish will bring their unique style to the table, transforming fresh, local ingredients into bold, street food-inspired bites. Expect fire and flair as these chefs battle it out. MC’d by Joe McNamee, Irish Examiner senior food writer.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Kids’ Pasta-Making Demo!
2.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Don Gregorio, Washington Street
Join the fun at Don Gregorio on Washington Street for a FREE pasta-making demonstration for kids! Under the guidance of their head chef from Italy, little chefs will get hands-on experience as they roll out fresh dough and use a handheld pasta machine to create authentic, homemade pasta. A perfect way to introduce kids to the joy of cooking.
Tickets: FREE. Book here
Lee Fields Foraging with Chef Epi Rohan
2.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Car Park Lee Fields
Discover the hidden flavors of nature on this unique foraging adventure with renowned chef Epi Rohan. Set against the lush backdrop of Lee Fields, this immersive experience will introduce you to the wild edible plants that thrive along the banks of the River Lee and beyond. Guided by Epi’s expertise, you’ll learn how to identify, harvest, and incorporate these natural ingredients into delicious dishes. Expect hands-on foraging, insightful culinary tips, and a fresh perspective on the local landscape.
Tickets: FREE. Book here
Herb Garden Workshop
2.00pm - 4.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Douglas Community Park, Church Road (Meet outside Douglas Community Centre or at the herb garden)
Douglas Tidy Towns invites you to an exploration of the herb garden in Douglas Community Park with a herb preparation making demonstration lead by botanist Jo Goodyear.
Tickets: FREE. No booking required
Sailing, Shucking and Shanties
2.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Pick up at Custom House Quay
Enjoy a cruise with Cork Harbour Cruises, on a 2.5-hour round-trip cruise from Custom House Quay to the lower Harbour. Take in all the stunning sights of the harbour, including Cobh, Spike Island, Haulbowline and Blackrock Castle. Pat O Connell from K O Connell Fish Stall in the English Market will be shucking oysters for your tasting, and there will be lots of entertainment on board with Sea Shanties by Cobh Molgoggers. All while you enjoy a guided tour of all the amazing history and sights of the most Fascinating Harbour.
Tickets: €50 per person. Book here
Talking recipes with Cork’s Blasta Book authors
2.30pm-3.30pm, Sunday 17th August, Talks & Tastings Stage, Emmet Place
Blasta Books burst onto the cookbook scene in 2022 and changed the face – and voice – of Ireland’s food story and becoming an instant cult classic. Join this enlightening chat with Cork’s Blasta Book authors Aishling Moore (Goldie x Whole Catch), Caitlin Ruth (Caitlin Ruth Food x Funky), Orla McAndrew (OM Catering x Larder) and Eman and Izz Alkarajeh (Izz Café x Jibrin) for how food and stories are changing how we eat. MC'd by Kate Ryan,Flavour.ie
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
French x Cork Tacos Battle
3.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Créme French
Create the best French Tacos using Cork ingredients in 5 minutes! A jury and the public vote will decide on the best. Jury’s Choice: Wins one month of free tacos and their winning tacos added to our menu as a signature dish with their name. Public’s Choice: Voted by customers and friends in a blind tasting to ensure fairness. Winner receives a €50 voucher for Creme Fraiche restaurant and also gets their tacos added to the restaurant's menu as a signature dish with their name. Age 16+
Tickets: €10 per person
Book here
The Journey of Five Farms with Tasting
4.00pm-5.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Talks & Tastings Stage, Emmet Place
Hear about the journey of Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, a local producer that embodies the true spirit of farm-to-table craftsmanship. Crafted from single batches of fresh cream blended with premium Irish whiskey within 48 hours of collection, this authentic liqueur captures the essence of West Cork. Sourced exclusively from five family-owned farms in the region, every step of the process—from mixing to bottling—takes place locally in Cork, making it a true rebel county creation. Tastings will be offered at this talk. Over 18s only.
Rescue The Plate
5.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
In partnership with FoodCloud, join us for the final marquee event of the festival as we turn Food “Waste” into Food “Ace” with two of Cork’s leading Zero Waste chefs, Ali Honour and Orla McAndrew. Ready, Steady, Cook-style, our chefs will be tasked with making delicious dishes using a surprise bag of would-be food waste rescued from some of our festival restaurants with a winner chosen by a surprise Guest of Honour!
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Nico Reynolds x Paladar
Bookings from 6pm - 9pm, Sunday 17th August, Paladar
A Caribbean-inspired pop-up, showcasing a special chef collaboration between RTÉ TV Chef Nico Reynolds and Paladar’s Head Chef Nascimento Pereira Nunes. Known for his vibrant fusion of Caribbean and Latin American flavors with an Irish twist, Nico will team up with Nascimento to craft an unforgettable evening of bold flavors, great music, and expertly crafted cocktails.
Tickets: €50
Bookings: Select a time slot between 6pm and 8pm o Sunday 17th August here.
River Lee Loves Local Dinner
7pm, Sunday 17th August, River Lee Hotel
This special dinner in The Mirror Room at The River Lee will celebrate the best local ingredients, thoughtfully crafted into a four-course menu by Executive Head Chef, Paul Lane. This is an evening to savour, share, and connect with the producers behind the plate.
Tickets €95. Book here