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Launching the Tralee Food Festival were, in front; Tadhg Fleming and Paul Ruane. At back; Jean Foley, Noel Keane, Orlagh Winters, David Scott and Pat Carmody. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE Food Festival is starting today (Friday) and there’s a fantastic line-up of event all weekend to please all palates.
The new-look Tralee Food Festival, organised by Tralee Chamber Alliance and supported by Kerry County Council, has an extended Taste Trail, Live Demos, a Food and Family Day and much more from Friday to Monday.
This year’s Tralee Food Festival gets this afternoon with ‘The Business of Food’, as part of the Taste Kerry Food Series in association with Bank of Ireland Workbench, at the bank on Castle Street.
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The newly-renovated covered courtyard at Benners Hotel will host (for one night only) ‘The Enclosure’, the official private Festival Opening Party with BBQ, live band, DJ and Gin tastings from 6.30pm tonight. Tickets €20.
The Market on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May, the centrepiece of Tralee Food Festival, will showcase the best producers and artisans in the region with over 20 stalls complemented by music and entertainment throughout both days.
Tadhg Fleming is fired up for the Tralee Food Festival, pictured here with Noel Keane of Croí Restaurant. Photo by Dermot Crean
Famous for chasing bats, triangle dancing and appearing on US chat shows, Kerry’s YouTube sensations, Tadhg and Derry Fleming will battle against each other in a father versus son LIVE Cook-Off hosted by Radio Kerry’s Elaine Kinsella on Sunday 5th May at 3pm.
The Taste Trail has been extended over two days with a specially created taster dish in any of the stops along the route for only €3 per serving.
Books containing 10 tokens are available from John Doughs, Dominick Street and Ugly Mug, Edward Street for only €22 with a combined saving of €8 if you were to pay with cash. Taste Trail Tokens are available to use in exchange for cash at participating trail stops.
Such was the success of last year’s inaugural Food & Family Day, this year’s offering will be huge with a live street performance in The Square from Siamsa Tíre Theatre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, expert Cooking Demos from top Chefs, face painting, doughnut decorating and surprise special guest ‘characters’.
The LIVE Cook-Off will also be on Sunday at 3pm, in the Festival Marquee which will be located just off The Square on Dominick Street this year.
Street Food on The Mall is a new event for 2019 offering festival-goers an opportunity savour the amazing aromas and flavours from the finest street food vendors with Wood Fired Pizza, Burgers & Hot Dogs, Home Made Crisps, Filled Crépes, and Poutines (loaded chips).
Live On The Square in conjunction with Lisa Curran will feature a full programme of music from midday to 10pm on Saturday night so food-lovers can also soak up the atmosphere and entertainment from a range of musicians, singers, trad bands and even aerobics class for kids.
Take 3 was a great success last year and it’s back to offer diners an opportunity to experience 3 Tralee restaurants in one evening, with a set course in each. But this year, where you will eat is a mystery – you will be led to each restaurant after each course. Pre-Booking is essential.
Tralee Food Festival is produced and developed by Tralee Chamber Alliance with the kind support of Kerry County Council Community Support Fund, Garvey’s Supervalu Tralee, Bank of Ireland, Taste Kerry, Rural Food Skillnet, FloGas, The Big Hello and Street Performers of Tralee (SPOT).
The full programme of events can be picked up from various outlets throughout Tralee and full details of the 2019 Tralee Food Festival from 3rd to 6th May can be seen or downloaded from the Tralee Food Festival Facebook Page or click here to see the programme.
