By Dan Walsh
Preparations are ongoing for the 2024 Rockin’ Food Festival which switches its launch away from the town centre to the Riverside Park Hotel on the Promenade and festivities will light up the Friday night skies with fireworks display and music by a group with the curious title Loose Arrangements from 8.30pm. The big Ferris Wheel will also be in full swing on Friday.
This is an opportunity to ramble through the winding medieval streets of Enniscorthy and take in a variety of tastes and flavours from over 70 Artisan Food and Craft vendors.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be Live Chef Demonstrations in The Food Marquee (not sure where that is located at the time of writing?) where renowned chefs will take the stage to showcase their culinary expertise, sharing insider tips and tricks to inspire home cooks and foodies alike.
Saturday: 12pm – 12.30pm: The Baking Goddess, Lorraine from Daisy Cottage Farm – Scone Baking for the little ones with the Baking Goddess, book your space online.
12.30pm – 12.45pm Maxim Costa, Earth Food – How chocolate can be healthy for you!
12.45pm – 1pm Clovelly Coffee – From Sydney to Wexford, the story of locally roasted Clovelly Coffee from Joe O’Connor.
1pm – Paul Hynes, La Cote Restaurant and The Cheeky Cod, Wexford – One of Wexford’s best chefs, Paul Hynes serves up some seafood favourites with an Italian twist from The Cheeky Cod and La Cote Restaurant in Wexford
2pm Kevin Dundon – One of Ireland’s favourite chefs returns (he was in the Castle grounds last year) to the stage with some of his favourite seasonal dishes combining the best of Wexford produce
3.15pm – 3.30pm Mor Taste – Less sugar, more taste – Wexford Food producer, Felix (?) talks us through his healthier alternative jam.
Sunday; 12pm – 1pm Alan Kennedy, Kennedy’s Craft Butchers All about Meat! – Craft Butcher Alan Kennedy educates us on selecting the right cut of meat, how to cook it and getting the best from your local butcher!
1pm – 2pm Junior Bake Off. Who will be crowned Junior Master Baker? 2pm – 3pm Shane Smith. A regular on RTE’s The Today Show, award winning baker Shane Smith returns to the stage using the best of local ingredients for sweeter tastes! (One lucky attendee will take one of his creations home!)
3pm – 4pm John Whelan, The Devils Menu – Join the cult of fun and food with The Devils Menu as he spices up some local strawberries from Wheelock’s with red wine and Meadowfield Farm Goats Cheese!
4pm – 5pm Wexford FC Bake Off Food & Football fusion – Wexford FC Bake Off with some special surprise guests!
Families can look forward to a plethora of kids’ events and activities, ensuring little ones are entertained throughout the festival. From Puppet Shows, Paw Patrol Cookie Hunt, Disco with the Minions and Trolls to a range of interactive arts and crafts workshops to exciting games, there’s no shortage of fun for the young ones.
Kids can enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Classes in The Market Square on Saturday at 12.30pm and even participate in the Junior Bake Off, judged by Shane Smith.
There will be live outdoor music throughout the weekend in Market Square with the best of Irish and International Rock ‘n’ Roll bands.
For more information and to book tickets, visit http://www.rockinfoodfestival.ie.
WexfordLocal.com 