Top chefs to attend Taste of Sligo Food Festival
Launching the Taste of Sligo Food Festival were, from left: Glenn Hunter (Sligo Oyster Experience), Anthony Gray (Eala Bhán and Hooked), Maeve Eccles (Hooked), chef Rebecca Sweeney, Hooked), Michael Mullaney (Derek Sherlock Meats), Neil Bryne (Mammy Johnsons).
Brand new this year is the Taste of Sligo Food Festival in Sligo town’s flagship Queen Maeve Square along the Garavogue River on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The brainchild of food guru Anthony Gray, it will bring the cream of top chefs and food producers to the town on Saturday and Sunday, September 21st and 22nd. Cookery demonstrations, al fresco dining, live music plus a host of artisan food stalls and food trucks will all compete for attention in the new civic space. It will highlight the rich food culture and food tourism in Sligo.
“This is the fulfilment of a dream for me," enthuses the charismatic Anthony Gray who owns Eala Bhán and Hooked restaurants and is a founding member of Sligo Food Trail. “A Taste of Sligo is going to showcase everything that’s good about food in this county as well as bringing in some top chefs from around the country. This is going to be an annual celebration of food in the Northwest”.
Anthony’s Taste of Sligo Food Tours has just been named in RTÉ’s 10 leading food tours.
Professional cookery demonstrations will run from 12 noon on both days with MC Tracie Daly of Ballymaloe fame introducing celebrity chefs Kevin Dundon, Gary O’Hanlon, Shane Smith, Frankie Mallon and Sham Hanifa as well as local stars Alan Fitzmaurice, Becca Sweeney and Dr Prannie Rhatigan as part of the Spanish Armada Ireland weekend. Dishes include everything from tapas and pastries to celebration dishes and Malaysian specialities.
Live musical entertainment will keep the atmosphere buzzing and toes tapping all day long. Organisers expect a dynamic combination of Sligo locals, businesses and visitors joining in the festival and christening the brand new Queen Maeve Square in style, and with excellent taste.
The Taste of Sligo Food Festival is sponsored by Sligo BID and supported by Sligo Food Trail, Sligo Live Invest Visit, Sligo County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way and Sligo Chamber of Commerce.
Festival tickets can be booked through Eventbrite. The cost is €10 per day or €15 for both days. Under-12s get free admission with an adult. See www.tasteofsligo.ie for more.
