Teddy Bears Picnic, Sensory Cookery Classes, A Kids Food Trail, Play Streets, a Bread and Butter Making Workshop, Family Pizza making Workshops and more for families
Cork on a Fork Fest is calling on food loving families to put a tasty date in their diary this August. Now in its second year, the 5 day Cork City based food festival has expanded their family friendly programme with several new events unveiled. The festival aims to be as inclusive as possible of ages and abilities and has some great events both free and ticketed already lined up. It’s a great way for budding foodies to make the best of the remaining summer holidays! Here is a round up of things for families to do at the festival, including some freebies…
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Foodie families are invited to head to Fitzgerald’s Park with a picnic of your favourite savoury and sweet foods, a blanket to sit on and most importantly your favourite teddy for a BYO (bring your own) teddy bear’s picnic in the park! Delicious lunches can also be purchased from The Natural Foods Bakery at Fitzgerald Park, and Cork-owned ice-cream company The Good Dairy Company will also be in attendance. Ensuring this pop up event is fun for all the family there will be free face painting, and photo ops with the festival’s life-size teddy bear. Everyone is also welcome to have lots of fun taking turns in garden games including giant Jenga, connect four, corn hole, balance board and colour catcher games, tug of war and more facilitated by Let’s Play Cork play leaders.
Sensory Cooking Classes with the Cool Food School
Join Deirdre Doyle from award winning ‘The Cool Food School’ for a fun, interactive pop-up cooking class for kids at St Peter’s. A children’s cookbook author and seasoned cooking teacher, Deirdre brings her unique approach to cooking to Cork on a Fork Festival. From smelling to chopping to dancing to tasting, the kids are sure to get lots out of these engaging cooking classes, simple, whole food recipes like tasty tomato bruschetta will be on the menu. Deirdre tailors her classes to suit every age group. Taking place at St Peter’s Cork, North Main Street the first two classes (Fri 10.30am 12pm) are suitable for 3-7 year olds and the third (Fri 2.30pm) is suited for 7+ year olds (all accompanied by a parent/guardian). Cost is €15 per child.Family Pizza Making Workshop Learn how to stretch and top pizza with some of Oak Fire Pizza’s chefs at a pop up kitchen in St Peters, North Main Street. In this hands-on workshop, kid’s will make their own pizza which will then be cooked for them to taste their amazing creations! Tickets are €12 and include a 7” pizza. Booking Essential. 25 people max. Thurs 11am-12pm: St (Please note, parents must remain in the premises to supervise and the café will be open at St Peters.)
Bread and Butter Making Family Workshop
Families can watch the butter making process and make fresh bread at The Butter Museum, Cork. Celebrating one of the great success stories of Ireland, the butter trade, The Butter Museum is located in the historic Shandon area of Cork city. thebuttermuseum.comNo booking required. Fri 2pm:Cork Butter Museum, FREE
Play on Maylor Street
Pop into the city with your family for lunch on Friday 18th August and from 2-4pm, Children will have lots of fun with giant Jenga, connect four, corn hole, balance board games, colour catcher games, tug of war and more, with our Let’s Play Cork play ambassador.
A Community Celebration of Food – fringe festival
Community gardens throughout Cork City will open up to the public on Saturday 19th August during Cork on a Fork Festival in partnership with Cork Food Policy Council to celebrate the wealth of community food and growing initiatives. Enjoy tours, workshops, talks, demos and tastings. Cork Food Policy Council is a partnership that has been formed to work towards the achievement of a fairer, healthier, more secure and sustainable food system within the city and throughout the region.
Cornmarket Street (Coal Quay) Market & Play Street
A free play street will pop up at the Cornmarket Street Market on Saturday 19th August from 10am-12pm. Children will have lots of fun with giant Jenga, connect four, corn hole, balance board games, colour catcher games, tug of war and more, with our Let’s Play Cork play ambassador. There will also be free facepainting.
Cork on a Fork Festival Demo Marquee and Market
On Saturday 19th August, there will be special Cork on a Fork Markets on Emmet Place and a 100-seater cooking demo marquee, free to attend. Not only that, but during lunch, kids will be treated to free facepaintng and there will be giant outdoor games.
Crust Creations- Kids Pizza Making
On Sunday 20th August Crust Creations on MacCurtain Street will host fun 30-minute kids pizza making demos at 3.30pm and 4.30pm for just €10. An exciting workshop that sparks culinary creativity in young pizza enthusiasts, kids will learn to prepare dough, stretch it into the perfect canvas, and add their favourite toppings. Their expert team will guide your child through the process, ensuring each pizza is cooked to perfection. Afterward, they can savour their very own crust creations! A kids food trail is also being created – stay tuned!
Cork on a Fork Festival is a Cork City Council Festival, supported by local hospitality businesses, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, Pure Cork, Cork Business Association, Cork Airport, Atlantic Clinical Trials and media partners the Irish Examiner and RedFM.
For the full festival programme see www.corkonaforkfest.ie or for live updates follow @corkonaforkfest.