Demos, Workshops and Talks
Future of Food Breakfast with The Irish Examiner, sponsored by Musgrave
10.00am-12noon, Wednesday 13th August, Good Day Deli, Nano Nagle Place
The very first event of this year's Cork on a Fork Fest will focus on the business of food, in partnership with the Irish Examiner and Musgrave. Hear first-hand insights from businesses on challenges and opportunities, MC'd by the Irish Examiner senior food writer Joe McNamee. You’ll also enjoy a delicious breakfast filled with local produce and receive a goody bag to take home.
Open to businesses or individuals involved in Cork's food industry.
Tickets: FREE. Limited places for people involved in the food industry in Cork. Please express interest to attend or take part in the panel by emailing [email protected]
Taste the Goodness Community Garden Party
12.30pm – 4pm, Wednesday 13th August, Knocknaheeny, Hollyhill Community Garden (Behind Apple Green garage)
Join NICHE Health Project at Knocknaheeny Community Garden for a special open garden party. Open to everyone, you'll enjoy freshly baked cob oven pizza and refreshing drinks. Plus, enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful garden and some music. A perfect family outing!
Tickets: FREE. No booking required. Donations welcome.
Pig on a Spit and Craicly Stories at Glenbrook Farm
7.30pm-10pm, Wednesday 13th August, Glenbrook Farm, T23TC67
Jane Gormley from CRAICLY, an Irish Story Project, is hosting an event with storyteller Peter Twomey and his family on their beloved Glenbrook Farm. This is a place overflowing with stories of change, resilience, respect, appreciation, purpose and, importantly, people who appreciate The Craic! Enjoy a Blarney Brewing Company drinks reception, a rustic supper of Pig-On-A-Spit, followed by community stories of "The Pig", as they celebrate the stars of the show on the Twomey's farm since they began farming free-range pork having converted from conventional dairy farming in recent years.
Tickets: €65 plus booking fee. Book here.
Food and Mood Talk
11.00am, Thursday 14th August, Ballincollig LIbrary
An engaging talk on how we can support our mood through nutrition, focusing on how food affects mood, the gut-brain axis, nutrition tips for supporting our mood, and important nutrients for brain health.
FREE. No Booking required
Children's Pizza Party Demo at Marina Market
11.00am – 12.00pm, Thursday 14th August, The Marina Market
Proper Sausage Making
11am-12pm, Thursday 14th August, O’Flynn Gourmet Sausage, Winthrop Street
Join founder Declan O’Flynn for a series of short live demonstrations showcasing the traditional methods behind O’Flynn’s famous gourmet sausages. Watch as Declan handcrafts and BBQs the sausages right outside our restaurant on Winthrop Street, and enjoy complimentary samples fresh off the grill.
Free. No booking required.
English Market Cooking Demo with Cork Chef Orla McAndrew
1.00pm - 2.00pm, Thursday 14th August, Outside the English Market on Grand Parade
FREE. No booking required.
Planning Nutritious Meals Talk
2.00pm, Thursday 14th August. Blarney GAA Hall
Get practical tips on how to create balanced and nutritious meals, with plenty of suggestions for delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas that you can make at home (a Blarney Library event).
FREE. No booking required.
Food Phone Photography Workshop with Joleen Cronin
2.00pm - 4.00pm, Thursday 14th August, L'Atitude 51
Cork on a Fork Cocktail Class
7.00pm - 8.00pm, Thursday 14th, Friday 15th & Saturday 16th August, Bar Moxy at The Moxy
La Dolce Vita Cork Style - the Italiano Playlist
11.00am, Friday 15th August, Cork City Library, Rory Gallagher Music Library
Come and join us for a morning of Italian music presented by Denis McSweeney and learn about the performers and their lives beyond the stage. Prepare to enjoy some great classics such as Dean Martin, Pavarotti, Sinatra, Perry Como, Mario Lanza and enjoy some of the best tastes of Italy such as Pizza/ Bruschetta/Cannelloni and Biscotti. This will be a fun morning and guaranteed to be enjoyed by all, La Dolce Vita Cork style.
FREE. No Booking Required
Battle of the Smoothies Kids Sensory Cooking Class
11am - 12pm (3-12 years), Friday 15th August, St Peter's North Main St
Join Deirdre Doyle from the award winning The Cool Food School for a fun, interactive pop-up cooking class for children at St Peter's. Deirdre is a master at getting kids to have fun in the kitchen and promotes healthy eating in a fun and interactive way. From smelling to chopping to dancing and tasting, kids are sure to get lots out of these engaging cooking classes with simple, whole food recipes.
Tickets: €13.50 per child. Book here
Food and Mood Talk
11.30am, Friday 15th August, Mayfield Library
An engaging talk on how we can support our mood through nutrition, focusing on how food affects mood, the gut-brain axis, nutrition tips for supporting our mood, and important nutrients for brain health.
FREE. No booking required
Carrot Cake Power Balls - Kids Sensory Cooking Class
12.30pm-1.30pm, Friday 15th August, St Peter's North Main St
Join Deirdre Doyle from the award winning The Cool Food School for a fun, interactive pop-up cooking class for children at St Peter's. Deirdre is a master at getting kids to have fun in the kitchen and promotes healthy eating in a fun and interactive way. From smelling to chopping to dancing and tasting, kids are sure to get lots out of these engaging cooking classes with simple, whole food recipes.
Tickets: €13.50 per child. Book here
Nice to Mead You! Mead-Making Class and Talk
1-2.30pm, Friday 15th August, Cork City Library, Thomas Davis Room
Join us for a practical demonstration on how to make your own mead at home, along with a discussion of the origins, history and ecological importance of mead-making. 18+ only.
FREE. No Booking required
Bone Health
2.00pm, Friday 15th August, Glanmire Library
Learn all you need to know about nutrition for bone health including essential nutrients, foods to include in your diet to support bones, and nutrition and lifestyle tips to promote optimal bone health.
FREE. No booking required
Bread, Beef, and Butter at The Butter Museum - BOOKED OUT
2.30-4.30pm, Friday 15th August, The Butter Museum at Shandon
The Butter Museum at Shandon is the place to be on Friday afternoon with a number of demonstrations on the making of traditional soda bread and butter, and a talk from local butcher James Nolan on corned beef. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
FREE. Waitlist
Apple Donut Kids Sensory Cooking Class
2.30-3.30pm (3-12 Years), Friday 15th August, St Peter's
Join Deirdre Doyle from the award winning The Cool Food School for a fun, interactive pop-up cooking class for children at St Peter's. Deirdre is a master at getting kids to have fun in the kitchen and promotes healthy eating in a fun and interactive way. From smelling to chopping to dancing and tasting, kids are sure to get lots out of these engaging cooking classes with simple, whole food recipes.
Tickets: €13.50 per child. Book here
Rebel City Distillery Cork Cocktail Masterclass
5.45pm, Friday 15th August, Rebel City Distillery
Join a founder-led cocktail masterclass experience with Bhagya Barrett, co founder of Rebel City Distillery. Begin with a warm welcome—a Maharani Gin & Tonic or Maharani Vodka & Soda on arrival—followed by a guided tour of the boutique distillery. Learn basic mixology and hands-on techniques like shaking and stirring, then craft and enjoy two cocktails using Rebel City spirits at their custom oak bar. As part of Cork on a Fork, guests will enjoy complimentary light bites featuring Cork’s own O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages.
Tickets: €50 per person. Book here
Cork Sugarcraft Workshop
10.30am - 11.30am, Saturday 16th August, St. Peter's North Main Street
Cork Sugarcraft Association will host a fun interactive workshop suitable for children (age 6 & up) and adults. You will learn to make your very own 'Love Cork' bear complete with red love heart in sugarpaste and sign our 'Love Cork' cake at this hands on workshop.
Tickets: Kids €8, Adults €10 Book here
Cork on a Fork Cooking Demos Live Stage
11.00am - 6.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
A 100-seat Festival Cooking Demo Stage on Emmet Place (outside the Cork Opera House) all day with a host of demos and tastings. The events are MC'd by food writers Joe McNamee from the Irish Examiner, John and Sally McKenna from McKenna Guides and Kate Ryan from Flavour.ie. Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, Ireland's Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way.
- 11am: Smokin’ Fish with Aishling Moore of Goldie and Sally Barnes of Woodcock Smokery
- 12pm: Summer Alfresco with Clodagh McKenna
- 2pm: Takashi Takes on Tripe
- 3pm: Young Rebel Uprising
- 4pm: Modern Vegan & Vegetarian Food with My Goodness, Paradiso and Meb’s Veg
- 5pm: Tastes of Home with Saoirse Ethnic Hands
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book. See Stages & Markets page for more.
Cork on A Fork Talks and Tastings Stage
11.00am - 6.30pm, Saturday 16th, Talks & Tastings Stage, Emmet Place
Tastings, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Hear fascinating stories from local chefs, food and drinks producers, insights on the local food industry, and more. And there's often a tasting thrown in!
- 11am: Cork’s Food Revolution: Innovators Shaping the Future
- 12.15pm: Liquid Gold - A Celebration of Cork’s Blas na hÉireann Award-Winning Beverages
- 3.15pm: In Gut Health – Eat and Drink Your Way to a Happy and Healthy Gut
- 4.15pm: Raw Treats Demo and Stretches with The Yoga Tree
- 5.30pm: Splitting the C – A Celebration of Cork’s Independent Stout Brewers
More will be announced shortly.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book. See Stages & Markets page for more.
A Harvest of Nations, One Garden, Many Kitchens
12.00pm - 2.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Togher Community Garden
English Market Cooking Demo with Cork Chef Orla McAndrew
1.00pm - 2.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Outside the English Market on Grand Parade
Tickets: FREE (No booking required)
International Tea Ceremony and Cooking Demos
2.00pm - 4.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Tea Room and Lecture Theatre, Nano Nagle Place/School of Architecture
Book here
Sailing, Shucking and Shanties
2.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Pick up at Custom House Quay
Enjoy a cruise with Cork Harbour Cruises, on a 2.5-hour round-trip cruise from Custom House Quay to the lower Harbour. Take in all the stunning sights of the harbour, including Cobh, Spike Island, Haulbowline and Blackrock Castle. Pat O Connell from K O Connell Fish Stall in the English Market will be shucking oysters for your tasting, and there will be lots of entertainment on board with Sea Shanties by Cobh Molgoggers. All while you enjoy a guided tour of all the amazing history and sights of the most Fascinating Harbour.
Tickets: €50 per person. Book here
Farm to Fork Cook-up and Guided Tour
2.00pm - 3.30pm, Saturday 16th August, Murphy's Farm Community Garden, Curaheen
(behind Bishopstown Tennis Club) T12VY10
All are welcome to Murphy's Farm's Farm to Fork Cook-Up, featuring fresh vegetables straight from their garden! Guest chef JJ from MTU will be cooking up a delicious stir-fry and vegetarian burgers on-site. Plus, enjoy a guided tour of their beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.
Tickets: FREE (All welcome, No booking required)
Live Whiskey Chats Podcast with Ger Buckley, Master Cooper
2.30pm-3.30pm, Saturday 16th August, Hi-B Bar
A live Whiskey Chats Podcast with host Laurie O'Dwyer in one of Cork's oldest bars renowned for great whiskey. This is a rare opportunity to hear from Ger Buckley, Master Cooper at Midleton Distillery. Guests will also enjoy whiskey tastings.
Tickets: €20. Book here. Over 18s.
Rebel City Distillery X Fitzgerald's Bar Masterclass
3.00pm - 5.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Fitzgerald's Bar
An exclusive afternoon of cocktails, craft, and creativity at the newly refurbished Fitzgerald’s Bar with Rebel City Distillery. Enjoy a welcome cocktail on arrival, get behind-the-scenes insights and a tasting experience with Rebel City Distillery, then roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cocktail masterclass where you’ll make (and enjoy!) two signature drinks. Light bites made with the best local ingredients will keep you fuelled as you sip and shake your way through the session.
Tickets: €55. Book here
Heritage Harvest: Sourdough & Natural Wine Experience
4.00pm, Saturday 16th August, Callanan's Bar George's Quay
Tickets: €30 (or €50 for two). Book here
Raise a Glass to Cork: A Talk & Tasting with Local Drinks Producers
5.00pm - 6.00pm, Saturday 16th August, St. Peter's North Main St
Join Joe McNamee, Senior Food Writer with The Irish Examiner, as he hosts an engaging conversation and tasting with Cork drinks producers. Hear the stories behind the bottles from the makers themselves—the award-winning Kinsale Mead Co., Stonewell Cider, and Rebel City Distillery—as they share insights into their craft, inspiration, and the future of Cork’s drink scene. Guests will enjoy guided tastings throughout.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book
Preserving the Past: Traditional Food Methods in a Modern World
6.00pm - 7.00pm, Saturday, 16th August, St. Peter's North Main St
Cork on a Fork Cooking Demos Live Stage
11.00am - 6.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Cooking Demo Stage, Emmet Place
A 100-seat Festival Cooking Demo Stage on Emmet Place (outside the Cork Opera House) all day with a host of demos and tastings. The events are MC'd by food writers Joe McNamee from the Irish Examiner, John and Sally McKenna from McKenna Guides and Kate Ryan from Flavour.ie. Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, Ireland's Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way.
- 11.00am: Rob Fitzpatrick, Market Lane
- 12.00pm: Summer Italian Supper with Clodagh McKenna
- 1.00pm: Cork on a… Stick! A Cork Cook-Off, with a Twist!
- 2.00pm: Street Food Showdown
- 5.00pm: Rescue The Plate
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book. See Stages & Markets page for more.
Cork on A Fork Talks and Tastings Stage
11.00am - 6.30pm, Sunday 17th August, Talks & Tastings Stage, Emmet Place
Tastings, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Hear fascinating stories from local chefs, food and drinks producers, insights on the local food industry, and more. And there's often a tasting thrown in!
- 2.30pm: Talking recipes with Cork’s Blasta Book authors
- 4.00pm: The Journey of Five Farms with Tasting
More will be announced shortly.
FREE. All welcome. Limited seats. No need to book. See Stages & Markets page for more.
Kids’ Pasta-Making Demo - BOOKED OUT!
2.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Don Gregorio, Washington Street
Join the fun at Don Gregorio on Washington Street for a FREE pasta-making demonstration for kids! Under the guidance of their head chef from Italy, little chefs will get hands-on experience as they roll out fresh dough and use a handheld pasta machine to create authentic, homemade pasta. A perfect way to introduce kids to the joy of cooking.
Tickets: FREE - SOLD OUT!
Mexicali Makes: Tortillas, Tacos & Guac
2.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Rosie Maddison (beer garden), The Lough T12 C971
Join Mexicali Tacos for a deliciously interactive experience where you’ll learn to make fresh corn tortillas from scratch, whip up authentic guacamole, and build your own perfect taco using your handmade creations. Finish by sitting down to enjoy the fruits (and spice) of your labour—Mexicali style!
Tickets: €15. Bookings opening soon.
Herb Garden Workshop
2.00pm - 4.00pm, Sunday 17th August, Douglas Community Park, Church Road (Meet outside Douglas Community Centre or at the herb garden)
Douglas Tidy Towns invites you to an exploration of the herb garden in Douglas Community Park with a herb preparation making demonstration lead by botanist Jo Goodyear.
Tickets: FREE. No booking required.