Tasty treats at Macroom Food Festival

Macroom is set to be transformed into a vibrant hub of foodie activity with the announcement this week that the town will host its first artisan food festival and awards event on Sunday 30 September. There will be a selection of indoor and outdoor venues serving up food along with demonstrations, discussions and debates and there will also be food stalls, barbecues and a feast of family entertainment.

There will also be a schedule of complimentary food-focused events taking place throughout the town from Friday 28 September to Monday 1 October.

Catherine Costello, a member of the newly formed Macroom Food Festival and Awards organising committee said the programme of events will be diverse enough to whet the appetites of dedicated food enthusiasts, as well as families looking for an enjoyable weekend of culture and entertainment.

"Foodies will certainly be delighted to find a wealth of food stalls, tastings and demos that showcase the high standards and huge levels of creativity that we're seeing among Ireland's artisan food producers. We also expect the awards announcements to attract national attention and be a key event among food writers, critics, bloggers and home cooking enthusiasts throughout the country."

"While the focus will definitely be on all things culinary, there will also be much more happening on the day and we want to ensure that this is the type of event that will appeal to a wide audience and encourage visitors to travel not just from across the county, but from all corners of Ireland."

The festival will also incorporate events as diverse as vegetable growing demonstrations and a chocolate experience as well as live music, craft stalls and fun stuff for kids. A local taste trail will also be promoted which will highlight the array of delicious artisan food that features on the menus of local restaurants, delis, cafes, pubs and hotels, and organisers believe this will become a festival highlight and will offer local businesses an unrivalled opportunity to celebrate Macroom's strong 'foodie credentials'.

"In recent years, Macroom has begun to develop an enviable reputation as a food destination and the town is strategically positioned at the gateway to West Cork and Kerry. We're at the heart of 'foodie' Munster and some of our local West Cork producers are among the most renowned in the country," she said.

Festival goers will be able to purchase a booklet of 'taste tickets' from local bars, shops or the hotel and they can soak up the atmosphere as they sample local food and drink in various taste trail locations. Food businesses that would like to participate in the festival and awards should email info@macroomfoodfestival.com to register their interest or contact Catherine Costello on 026-20520.