The summer is coming to the beautiful Iveagh Gardens and it’s time to get really excited about the new experiences this year at Taste of Dublin! We have set out some of these top features as it’s always handy to have a bit of insider knowledge before heading through the gates of the ‘Food Lover’s Playground’ – the playful and fun-loving theme for this year’s event.
Taste of Dublin – inspired by Neff, returns to the Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2 from the 14th to the 17th of June to showcase the very best in Irish food and drinks.
And, it will be transformed into a ‘Food Lover’s Playground’ – a vibrant and colourful twist that is being enthusiastically embraced by a spectacular line-up of chefs, food companies and producers.
- The Neff Taste Kitchen
It’s the biggest demo stage ever built at Taste of Dublin and this state-of-the-art arena is where you will see a very special line-up of celebrity chefs, with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of River Cottage, Candice Brown – of the Great British Bake Off, Rachel Allen of Ballymaloe, Robin Gill – of The Dairy and Masterchef judge, Adrian Martin – Food Writer and TV chef, Executive Chef Anna Haugh and Aoife Noonan of Glovers Alley.
The chefs will showcase their amazing skills and chat through their recipes and tips at the new Neff Taste Kitchen hosted by Marcus O’Laoire. The line-up also includes Ed Cooney of the Merrion Hotel, Edward Hayden – TV chef, Kevin Dundon of Dunbrody House, Rory O’Connell of Ballymaloe, Sharon Hearne-Smith – Food Stylist and Cookbook Author and Sunil Ghai – Head Chef of Pickle, among many others.
- The Roe & Co Tram 21
Visitors can relive the glamour of Dublin’s past while enjoying contemporary Irish whiskey cocktails aboard the specially crafted Roe & Co Tram 21. Operational between 1872 and 1940, the Dublin tram system was an integral part of the city’s life and co-existed alongside the original Roe & Co Distillery on Thomas Street. This unique and unforgettable experience will also include Roe & Co cocktail masterclasses hosted by a World Class bartender on the super stylish rooftop.
3. Pink Cuisine
Jaipur is also known as the ‘Pink City’ in India. And, the popular restaurant chain (Jaipur in Dalkey and in Malahide, along with Ananda in Dundrum and Chakra masterclasses) have not only created their own twist on the playful elements of Taste of Dublin’s ‘Food Lover’s Playground’ theme this year, they have also dedicated specially curated dishes telling the story of women who pioneered, inspired and fought for their causes in India – and it’s all pink-themed!
For example, at the festival you’ll find a Rhubarb Prawn Curry from Ananda, Pink Gin-infused Railway Lamb from Chakra, Pink City Chicken Tikka (with pink peppercorn and mint chutney) from Jaipur and a Burmese Tea Shop Samosa with rose petal and Himalayan pink yogurt!
- Outdoor Cooking with The Big Green Egg
We all love a good barbi and the flavours and fabulous aromas of outdoor cooking. Those of us who sometimes veer on the cremated side might find it useful to visit the brand new Outdoor Cooking with The Big Green Egg feature at Taste of Dublin for the ultimate experience in outdoor cooking. A line-up of top chefs will take to their grills demonstrating and preparing beautifully cooked tender meat, fish, stir-frys, stews, pizzas and even delicate desserts. All Alfresco located in Glasthule, Co Dublin will showcase the unique egg-shaped cooker, known by its distinctive green colour.
- Style Afternoon
After the long winter we endured, any excuse to get a spray tan or have our nails done has to be jumped on! The Connacht Gold Style Afternoon on Friday the 15th of June is a chance to get dressed up and have fun with friends. The Judges will pick the most stylish individual in attendance – who will win some amazing prizes.
- Flavours of Korea
Fancy a free taste of Korean cuisine? This year, Korea Agro-Fisheries and the Korean Food Trade Corporation want to introduce Korean cuisine and Korean food products to Dubliners. Chef Gunmoo Kim and his team will prepare authentic Korean dishes for Taste of Dublin attendees and it’s all free. Whether you choose to participate individually, with friends, or with kids, all are welcome to join in on this Korean Cooking Experience. You’ll find diverse Korean food products never seen in Dublin before.
- Ketel One Kitchen
Ketel One Vodka will bring a taste of its Dutch heritage to this year’s festival by serving up classic and quirky Bloody Mary’s and hosting immersive masterclasses in the Ketel One Kitchen by day, while transforming into a Kitchen Disco and shaking Espresso Martini’s by night.
8. Chocolate and Coffee Masterclasses
Love coffee? Curious about how to recreate your favourite barista’s latte art? Applegreen will impress at Taste of Dublin with latte art competitions, tastings, workshops and demonstrations. Learn about Nitro Cold Brew, bean roasting and test your barista skills with latte art competitions – all presented in guilt-free 100% recyclable coffee cups. We’re getting more discerning about our coffee and our cups with a new wave of coffee fans (who know all about good beans) descending on Taste of Dublin.
Chocolate in any form is great, but melted chocolate is mesmerising and how it’s made and formed fascinates both young and old. Lindt will have a brand new feature stand where you can both immerse yourself in chocolate demonstrations and sample some of your favourite chocolates.
- Be a VIP
Taste of Dublin is a high-end food festival, but if you really want to do things in style the Laurent-Perrier VIP suite in association with Sony Xperia will add an extra luxurious festival feeling. So sit back, relax, order your dishes from one of a team of Just Eat waiters and be a VIP.
- Lazy Basics
This year The Lazy Chef Simon Lamont is hosting a brand new experience ‘The Lazy Basics’ where he will teach visitors handy hacks in 20 mins, including which knives to use, how to make sourdough, butter from scratch, quick knife hacks and ‘weird vegetables – and cool things to do with them’. Essentially tips that will enhance your kitchen but also impress friends and family.
- Father’s Day
It falls on the 17th of June and for many of us who are at a loss for what to buy the dads in our lives, a Taste of Dublin surprise could be very much appreciated. If you have a kid (or three) there is lots to do, including storytelling, facepainting and special film characters about the place with the major bonus that kids under 10 go free! (Don’t forget to pack your suncream with your picnic basket!)
- Small Producers
As part of the Neff Producer’s Table food journalist Dee Laffan will interview Irish start-up producers, including: Irish Atlantic Sea Salt, Sadie’s Kitchen Bone Broth, Glenilen Farm and Newgrange Gold. They all have interesting stories to hear, if you’re not only a quality ingredient fan but also if you’re interested in the entrepreneurial side of things. Celebrity Chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Rory O’Connell, Kevin Dundon and Robin Gill will chat about their passion for artisan, fresh ingredients.
- O’Briens Wines Experience
O’Briens wine experience is back in 2018 with a slice of the south of France. They will be bringing the wines of Languedoc to life at Taste of Dublin with the chance to sit and taste three delicious wines at their mini-masterclasses with Francois Pages – Manager of Gérard Bertrand and Winemaker – Stephane Queralt. There will be 6/7 masterclasses per session, with three different topics, so book your spot early to avoid disappointment as some classes can book out and the list is run on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
- World Flavours
Finally, embrace the fun ‘Food Lover’s Playground’ and take a tour around the restaurants and experiences for tastes of Thailand, Spain, Japan, China, Korea and India. From wines like Ribeiro and Albariño from Galicia, ‘Spice Fruit Salad’ from the Oriental Pantry, Japanese sushi and cuisine – to chocolate stones from Santiago de Compostela and coffee liquor – come and discover the ever expanding list of things to do at Taste of Dublin 2018.
To get even more of a flavour of everything on offer at this year’s Taste of Dublin and to purchase tickets on sale from €15 please go to www.tasteofdublin.ie