Dermot O’Leary gets a taste of Cork

A new series fronted by presenter Dermot O'Leary will have not just one but two episodes on Cork’s food.

The series called ‘Dermot’s Taste of Ireland’ began on Monday and will run until Friday. Each episode sees Dermot visit a different location, meeting farmers, fishermen, artisan producers and chefs and discovering some of our best food and drink experiences.

Thurday's episode sees Dermot travel to the English Market and cook with head chef of the Farmgate Café, Pamela Kelly. Viewers will also see Dermot oyster farming at sea with Rupert Hugh-Jones of Rossmore Oysters and learning all about the gin distillation process at the Rebel City Distillery.

Wednesday's viewers saw Dermot seaweed foraging with local guide Suzanne Burns of Kinsale Food Tours, chocolate making with Frank Keane at Koko Kinsale and wild garlic foraging with Paul McDonald from Bastion. Dermot also visited The Bulman Bar.

Dermot O'Leary said: “The island of Ireland has a very special place in my heart, it's where I have my earliest and most fond memories and makes up a huge part of my identity.

“Filming there for this series was such a wonderful experience, bringing back some really happy memories and also allowed me to experience lots of new things I hadn’t seen before, and see how Ireland has evolved.”

The series is supported by Tourism Ireland and is expected to be seen by millions of people across Britain on ITV1.

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to team up with Dermot O'Leary and support the production of this new five-part TV series, ‘Dermot’s Taste of Ireland’. With millions of people across Britain set to watch the series this week on ITV1 and on the streaming service ITVX, it’s an excellent way to shine a spotlight on Ireland – showcasing our delicious local produce, wonderful culinary offering and beautiful landscapes.”

She added: “Publicity and broadcasts like this are a key element of Tourism Ireland’s programme of promotional activity, to inspire travellers in Britain, and elsewhere around the world, to put Ireland on their holiday wish-list.”