The annual West Waterford Festival of Food returns this month after a three year hiatus.
The celebration of the county's top class food and drink producers runs from June 10th to 12 with a mix of free and ticketed events.
Over 35,000 visitors are expected to attend the 13th annual festival, which will feature local chefs Paul Flynn of The Tannery and Greg Harris of 360 Cookhouse, along with international guests Luis Martin, Head Chef at Mount Juliet’s Hunter’s Yard, and renowned Mexican-Irish chef Lily Ramirez-Foran.
Highlights include a Taste Waterford Tapas Trail, Bus Bia Tours, a Picnic River Cruise, a Blackwater Distillery Cocktail Class, a Food Cloud Dinner, a Jazz Brunch and the West Waterford Festival of Food Long Table Feast.
Events for children and young adults
Organisers are encouraging families to pop into the free Glanbia Family Fun Zone from 11am-3pm on Saturday (11th June) and Sunday (12th June). Youngsters can get up close and personal with animals at the mobile farm, meet the birds of prey, enjoy a picnic and plant their own seedlings.
The Glanbia Family Fun Zone will also host the National Reptile Zoo Keepers, with animals ranging from pythons to gecko lizards, tarantulas to scorpions.
There's a "Youthspace" tent by WSTCYS Waterford Comhairle na nÓg, Dungarvan Youth Project and Day Youth Development Programme. It aims to provide a fun, safe space for young people with activities including blind taste challenges, climate action challenges, and budget dinner ideas.
There are paid ticketed events suitable for children with the Cool Food School and Sensory Cooking at Walton Park Marquee. There will also be a teddy bear picnic in Walton Park.
Further family friendly events include family farm excursions, and a picnic river cruise with Blackwater Eco Tours River Cruise.
You'll find details on all events through the West Waterford Festival of Food website.
Meanwhile, the All Together Now festival returns to Curraghmore over the August Bank Holiday weekend. More here.