Halfway through Cork on a Fork and still so much more to enjoy. Check it out here...

 Cork on a Fork Fest weekend highlights

Play streets, gin afternoon tea, lunchtime opera, yoga brunches and more

Very enjoyable beer tasting at Elbow Lane!

Cork City’s new food festival, Cork on a Fork Fest, has seen more than 50 businesses participate in events, tastings, food talks, cooking demos, tasting masterclasses and more this week.  The festival continues for the weekend with lots of great events planned. Many are sold out like the Sourdough Bread Making Workshop and the Cork on a Fork Dinner at The Bookshelf at Elysian but here are some highlights of what you can still head along to.  Check corkcity.ie/corkonaforkfest for booking info and stay tuned to @corkonaforkfest on social media for updates.

Friday:

• 2-3pm: Lunchtime Opera on Princes Street: Listen to Cork soprano Emma Nash as she weaves through the tables.  
• 2-4pm: Play Street on Caroline Street.   Enjoy lunch coffee and drinks in the restaurants on Caroline Street while children young & old can have lots of fun with some Lets Play Cork activities & games on the street.  With giant Jenga, connect four, balance board games, tug of war and much more, all facilitated by an experienced coach.  Note: this is not supervised play and parents need to be mindful of this throughout the session.
• 4-7pm: Taste of Cork Tapas Trail: Take a guided walking tour through Cork’s vibrant new outdoor dining areas on a Tapas Trail exploring the foods and drinks of the area. Enjoy samples at restaurants serving Cork on a Plate, a Birdcage Charcuterie and Cheese of Cork as well as the drinks of Cork. Over the 3-hour tour, you will have 3 food and 2 drink stops. This package includes a tour of the English Market but no food tasting.  With ActivityDays.ie.
• 7.30pm-Late:  The Festival Afterparty: Sample Coqbull's new Coqtail & Bar Bites Menu with well known Cork DJ duo, Vinyl Below. The venue will also launch a new Boneless citrus marinated Chicken, sourced locally from Tim at the Chicken Inn in the English Market.

  

  Show Thyme at the Imperial Hotel

  
  

 

Saturday;

• 10am-12pm:  Cork Tasting Trail: Enjoy a relaxed but highly-focused 2.5/3 hour food stroll with an engaging and experienced guide. Highlights may include exploring Irish Foodie Hotspots, meeting Artisan producers or visiting farmers markets, Irish Pubs and superhero retailers. There is a little culture and architecture along the way from your local and knowledgeable guide.  With Fab Food Trails.
• 11-1pm: Enjoy free samplings of Cork favourite Clonakilty Black Pudding in front of the Mural on Caroline Street.
• 11.30am-1pm:  Enjoy Yoga and Cork Sushi on the Boardwalk @ Electric with Sarah Daly from Alchemy School of Yoga. Suitable for all yoga levels.
• 1.00-3.30pm: The MET X Maharani Gin Afternoon Tea.  Enjoy a special Cork on a Fork Afternoon Tea, inspired by local producer Maharani Gin and presented by The Met's new head chef Vasil Baci. Taking inspiration from the story of Maharani Gin, where India meets Cork, they will use the best of Cork to create a taste of India over 3 plates! You will also be treated to a Maharani GnT.
• 1-5pm:  Family BBQ and Play on Beasley Street: Head along to a Beasley Street Family BBQ at the Maldron Hotel South Mall from 1-5pm. And from 2-4pm, children will have lots of fun with giant Jenga, connect four, corn hole, balance board games, colour catcher games, tug of war and more, with our Let’s Play Cork play ambassador. Note: this is not supervised play and parents need to be mindful of this throughout the session.
• 1.30-4.30pm: Learn how to make the perfect Churros at Kiely’s Chipper on Maylor Street. This event is free.
• 4-9pm:  Harley StrEAT BBQ: Jive down to Harley Street in the VQ, just beside the Metropole Hotel for a jazz themed BBQ and cocktails, with margaritas, spicy homemade burgers, tacos, coffees, and organic biodynamic wines from MacCurtain Street Wine Cellar, while you listen to jazz music with The Underskore Orchestra.  (Music from 4-7pm).
  
  
  

 

Sunday

• 11am-1pm:  Stretch at Sketch - Yoga Brunch: Kickstart this energising morning with an energy ball and a health shot from the Imperial's head chef Ali in Sketch, before taking part in a 45minute yoga class with yogi Hazel from The Yoga Tree. After your workout you will enjoy 3-courses of gorgeous fresh local produce (vegan and vegetarian catered for), and attendees will be given a goodie bag to take home.  Tickets are almost sold out.
• 11.30pm-12.30pm:  Make and Taste Three Unique Coffee Roasts: Izzeddeen, owner of Izz Cafe, will take you through the process of roasting green coffee beans to make 3 different types of coffee. Guests are also treated to a copper coffee pot and a coffee bag.
• 1-5pm:  Family BBQ and Play on Beasley Street (play activity from 2-4pm).
• 1-3pm: Pembroke Street Jazz Lunch.  Enjoy lunch while you listen to jazz music on Cork City's newest pedestrianised street, Pembroke Street.
• 1.00-3.30pm: The MET X Maharani Gin Afternoon Tea.  Enjoy a special Cork on a Fork Afternoon Tea, inspired by local producer Maharani Gin and presented by The Met's new head chef Vasil Baci. Taking inspiration from the story of Maharani Gin, where India meets Cork, they will use the best of Cork to create a taste of India over 3 plates! You will also be treated to a Maharani GnT.
• 1.30-4.30pm: Learn how to make the perfect Churros at Kiely’s Chipper on Maylor Street. This event is free.
• 2.00-2.40pm: Meat and Potatoes Guided Tour at Crawford Art Gallery. Take a special guided tour through the historic Crawford Art Gallery with surprising stories of your national collection and delve into their major summer exhibition Meat and Potatoes. This project is in support of the Night-Time Economy and funded by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
• 4.00-7.00pm:  Close out the Festival week with a Taste of Cork Tapas Experience throughout Cork’s newly pedestrianised streets with ActivityDays.ie

  

  Tapas & Cocktails at the Cornstore

  
  

And all weekend you can enjoy Tapas on the Terrace at The Cornstore and a Tasting Trail through Cork City.

Cork on a Fork Fest is supported by Cork City Council, in partnership with the local hospitality sector and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to establish Cork city as a vibrant food destination and as part of Cork’s efforts to create a more diverse and sustainable night-time economy, in support of the Report of the National Night-Time Economy Taskforce. It is also supported by Pure Cork, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, Cork Business Association.

 For events, experiences, participating venues and bookings, see corkcity.ie/corkonaforkfest or @corkonaforkfest on social media. #CorkonaForkFest.

Dinner on Princess Street

press release by Cork on a Fork Fest