Get a Taste of Cork at CBA President’s Dinner
It may be the business event with the best food - in fact, it probably is!
The Cork Business Association’s (CBA) President’s Dinner and Awards takes place next week on 29 March at Vienna Woods Hotel and the food is set to be exceptional once again.
The evening is a celebration of business excellence, networking and amazing food. Each year, some of Cork’s most talented chefs come together and give their time and expertise to craft a Taste of Cork menu. The tasting dinner reflects the rich flavours and innovation of Cork’s vibrant food scene, and showcases our city’s culinary talents and the region’s finest ingredients.
The CBA has now announced the lineup of chefs for this year’s dinner. They include:
- Hugh Bailey, Executive Head Chef at Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel, has an illustrious career spanning roles at The Westbury, Slane Castle, and as Head Chef at the Sydney Opera House.
- Nicolas Alegre, Executive Chef at Greenes Restaurant brings over two decades of global culinary expertise, having worked across Europe, Latin America, and New Zealand. Trained in Chile, his style fuses Thai, Mediterranean, Latin American, French, and Asian influences, with a focus on sustainability and fine dining.
- Kate Lawlor, Head Chef, K O'Connell's Fishmongers. With over 20 years of experience using K O’Connell’s fish in some of Cork’s best kitchens, Kate has recently joined K O'Connell's Fishmongers as Head Chef at their new stall in Dunnes Stores, Patrick Street Food Hall. Here, she serves freshly cooked-to-order seafood, including daily specials like chowder, oysters, and classic fish and chips.
- Pamela Kelly, Head Chef, The Farmgate Cafe. Pamela’s culinary journey spans almost 30 years, beginning in her family restaurant and later at Jacques and Nash 19, where she built strong relationships with local producers. She went on to lead a team of 27 chefs at Market Lane before joining the Farmgate Café as Head Chef for the past 6½ years.
- Alex Petit, Group Executive Head Chef at Trigon Hotels, brings a wealth of experience from prestigious 5-star establishments in France and Ireland.
- Paul Ryan, Executive Head Chef at Cork International Hotel, is from Mallow and boasts over two decades of diverse culinary experience. His global journey includes stints in the Middle East, Russia, and Chicago. Paul is dedicated to sustainability, focusing on local, seasonal ingredients and delivering memorable dining experiences.
A number of local producers are also involved in the dinner including Glenbrook Farm, O'Mahonys Family Butchers at The English market, K O’Connell Fish Merchants, Skeaghanore West Cork Farm, Allfresh Wholesale, Maharini Gin.
The evening will be hosted by renowned broadcaster Matt Cooper and will feature keynote addresses from Taoiseach Michéal Martin, European Commissioner Michael McGrath and the newly elected CBA President. Guests will enjoy a complimentary drinks reception, live entertainment, and plenty of networking opportunities. The charity partner on the evening is Parentline.
Tickets are priced at €185 each or €1,750 for a table of ten. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased at corkbusiness.ie. The dinner is supported by O’Regan Events and TS Events, with the drinks reception sponsored by Heineken.