The programme for this year's Waterford Harvest Festival was officially launched this morning at an event at George's Court Shopping Centre.
Launching this year’s Waterford Harvest Festival, were former International Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher joined by her 9 year old brother Lenson Mate Maher as they were surrounded by delicious and brightly coloured food items and sweet treats in George’s Court Shopping Centre, including access to the ice cream parlour and bakery.
They were also joined by The Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly.
The festival, which champions Waterford's culinary offering, will run citywide from Monday September 6th to Sunday September 12th.
Brought to you by Waterford City and County Council, expect 7 days of bespoke menus, dining-out experiences, seasonal dishes, local producer collaborations and so many more culinary delights - all celebrating the food and beverage champions from Waterford city and the sunny South East.
Commenting on this year’s re-imagined Waterford Harvest Festival, The Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly says:
“As one of Ireland’s leading food festivals, Waterford Harvest Festival celebrates its 12th year this September with this year’s annual event showcasing and supporting Waterford’s rich and diverse food culture and heritage, restaurants and eateries, and regional and seasonal producers. Waterford Harvest Festival 2021 will also mark the re-emergence of the City's vibrant hospitality sector and our overall aim is to encourage more people than ever to support local and buy, eat, promote and enjoy Waterford’s food and drink industry.”
Speaking with great excitement of this September’s citywide programme, Festival Co-Director Shell Holden commented:
“This year’s Waterford Harvest Festival, an annual culinary celebration, will plate up dishes and treats to suit every palate. Waterford Harvest Festival puts a spotlight on Waterford’s delicious dining scene and homegrown eateries, from bespoke menus to local producer collaborations and foodcations in Ireland’s oldest city. Gourmands can look forward to discovering Ireland’s No.1 foodie destination’s culinary hidden-gems, delicious dining heroes, world class local producers and vibrant citywide food and beverage hotspots.”
“Waterford’s food and drink landscape is alive with long-established producers, young emerging talent,and passionate and creative businesses. These talented people are at the heart of why Waterford’s reputation as a foodie destination remains unmatched nationally. Waterford Harvest Festival 2021 will shine a spotlight on the county’s amazing makers, creators, growers, harvesters, producers and restaurateurs, and encourage locals and domestic tourists to support and experience Waterford’s amazing culinary scene.”
Waterford City will be transformed into a food-lover’s paradise with restaurants and eateries, bars and bistros, producers and pubs, hotels and hostelries all showcasing and celebrating their passion for bringing the best food and drink to more people and plates than ever before! Everett’s, Waterford’s much-celebrated restaurant set in the remains of a historic 15th century house and intimate wine vault in the Viking Triangle, will host an afternoon to showcase the finest local produce and wonderful producers from across the region. Everett’s Appreciation of Harvest: A Meal to Celebrate is a three course celebration meal showcasing the very best from our rich lands and beautiful seas, with specially selected wines and champagne, thoughtfully paired with each dish. This is a guaranteed lunch to remember! Diners will enjoy a delicious five course tasting menu celebrating wonderful Waterford produce, including vegetables from Ballybeg Greens and Annestown, at the multi-award winning restaurant Momo and their From The Garden Harvest event. Join foodie chats with Bernadette Kervick from Ballybeg Gardens as she shares tips about growing the perfect vegetable garden and how to grow organically.
Watch chefs of Waterford’s iconic landmark The Reg shucking oysters and then tickle your tastebuds with these delectable delights and a smooth glass of Guinness at Guinness & Oysters at the Viking Longboat at The Reg. The Old Couch Café - a Waterford city gem at the heart of Waterford’s Cultural Quarter - will be serving up a three curated course lunch menu that spotlights Waterford’s diverse, talented and passionate food producers - all wrapped up in European influence. The Stable Yard Food Hall, the artisan food hall at the epicentre of Waterford city, will feature Harvest specials and surprises across Carters Chocolate café, The Ice Cream Place,The Italian Bakery & Pizza Kitchen and No.9 Barronstrand St. restaurant and Mediterranean Deli! Eat, drink and be merry with Grady’s Yard X The Phat Cow harvest collaboration; Overlooking the water on John’s Bridge, nearby the city’s energetic Apple Market hotspot, chomp into the best artisan burgers and cool down with a refreshing YellowBelly beer from one of Ireland’s leading breweries.
Calling all street food fans, craft-beer connoisseurs and whiskey worshipers, you will not want to miss out on the Phoenix Yard Feast in association with Tully’s and Tom Mahers. Street food goes restaurant style for this unique food and drink event set in the vibrant surrounds of O’Connell Street. Tuck into a smorgasbord of savoury and sweet tastes and treats from all five mouthwatering food traders while enjoying amazing ales, bubbling beers and a wide selection of spirits - all while kicking back to tunes for the perfect Sunday experience!
Join in supporting Waterford’s local food and drink landscape, recognising the makers, creators and producers, and celebrating the creativity, passion and determination of this industry. Walsh's Bakehouse, home of the treasured Waterford Blaa, celebrate their 100th year this year and will tickle taste buds with a 1 day live outdoor mini-‘feastival’ A Century in the Baking - Celebrating 100 years baking in Waterford. Join Ireland’s most famous Bread-Bros in Blaa HQ and tuck into oven-fresh floury-rolly goodness while kicking back to some music! Sink your teeth into the best BBQ bites, explore the ‘local legends’ food market, quench your thirst with a cold one and whet your appetite with foodie demos and talks. This is a bread event like no other, roll on down and don’t miss out!
Join Viking Irish Drinks for their Vikings & Angels collaboration with The Fat Angel Wine Bar and enjoy an evening of foodie and cider pairings and games galore. Dress like an Angel or a Viking and you might win a prize! The award-winning Blackwater Distillery collaborates with a selection of Waterford’s most loved museums, bars and restaurants during this September’s Harvest week. Savour an 8 course Waterford Food Tasting Menu inside the atmospheric 13th century Choristers’ Crypt with drinks reception, brought to you by Bishops Palace Cafe & Blackwater Distillery in conjunction with the Waterford Museum of Treasures. Also, enjoy an evening of Prohibition-themed cocktails and entertainment in a Jazzy speakeasy with in-house mixologists and award-winning guest mixologist - John Coleman at Prohibition Cocktails @ Shush with Blackwater Distillery.
Launching this September as part of Harvest Festival, A Slice of Culture is Waterford’s brand new intercultural festival which will transform Wyse Park and The Rogue Gallery & Studios into a Hungarian cultural celebration of art, dance, song, stories and aromas. A Slice of Culture is presented by The Rogue Gallery & Studios and Waterford Hungarian Cultural Organisation, and this year’s event will center stage some of Hungary's most famous traditions and dishes.
Make a holiday out of your culinary adventures with a Foodcation in Waterford City - a much-needed staycation with an emphasis on how to eat like a local and with locals! Waterford offers a plethora of accommodation options for families, friends and couples ranging from family-run hotels to home-from-home B&Bs and guesthouses, all of which can be found at VisitWaterford.com. Overlooking the stunning River Suir,one of Ireland’s three sister rivers, the Darrer family of Dooley’s Hotel have been welcoming guests for three generations. With over 70 years of exceptional service, this popular hotel at the heart of Waterford city will showcase bespoke Harvest menus every day across the full festival run, running from breakfast through to lunch and dinner. Treacys Hotel Waterford, Spa and Leisure Centre offers visitors a fantastic location to explore the city across the festival week and is offering a 3 night B&B Harvest staycation special with the Treacy Triple Treat from only €198 (two pax sharing). Take your staycation to the next level in Ireland’s oldest city and indulge in a foodcation feasting on the very best Déise dishes, blaas and beers.
Keep your eye on www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie as more Harvest events, menus and experiences are announced over the coming 6 weeks.
So book in, get your table and your tickets before they are all gone - grab your friends, bring your family - and come to Ireland’s No.1 Foodie Destination this September for Waterford Harvest Festival!
See the full programme of events at www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie
Free and Ticketed events:
Facebook: @waterfordharvest / Instagram: @harvest_fest / Twitter: @harvest_fest / #waterfordharvest
