The first exciting events have been announced for Cork on a Fork Fest 2025, which returns from August 13th to 17th with a five-day celebration of Cork’s rich and unique food culture.

Now in its fourth year, the festival is a much-anticipated highlight of the summer calendar, showcasing the people, produce, and passion behind Cork’s dynamic food scene.

The city-wide programme features over 100 events, including pop-up feasts, chef collaborations, free cooking demos, street events, food trails, foraging walks, bite-sized talks, and a wide range of family-friendly activities. Here’s our pick of what we’re most looking forward to…

The VQ Shared Table 

The VQ Shared Table sponsored by Birra Moretti returns by popular demand. This is a spectacular long-table dinner for 450 guests on MacCurtain Street which will see 20 chefs from the city’s VQ area curate shared plates in what promises to be one of the hottest tickets of the festival.

Afternoon Tea on the Train

Afternoon Tea on the Train sees FoodCloud chefs transform surplus ingredients into a sustainable, gourmet afternoon tea served aboard a train.

Smokin’ Fish with Aishling Moore of Goldie and Sally Barnes of Woodcock Smokery

From Kedgeree to Eggs Royale, join celebrated Cork chef Aishling Moore (Goldie) and iconic West Cork fish smoker Sally Barnes (Woodcock Smokery) for a masterclass in putting smoked wild fish on your breakfast menu. 

Producers Bus Tour

An exclusive Producers Bus Tour celebrating some of Cork’s best food producers with behind-the-scenes tastings and insights into their craft. Featuring the English Market, Hannas Bees, Frank Hederman’s Tasting Room in Cobh, Ardsallagh Cheese and Killahora Orchard.

Artisan Market at St. Peter’s

An Artisan Market at St. Peter’s, curated by On the Pig’s Back, will feature top cheesemakers, charcuterie, biscuits, crisps and more—plus food talks and demonstrations throughout the day.

Chef Demos at Emmet Place Festival Stage

Free chef demos at Emmet Place Festival Stage all weekend, featuring Aishling Moore (Goldie), Sally Barnes (Woodcock Smokery), Clodagh McKenna, Takashi Miyazaki (Ichigo Ichie), David Devereux (51 Cornmarket), Rob Fitzpatrick (Market Lane), Rebeca Recary Sanchez (St Francis Provisions), Darren O’Connell (Kay’s Kitchen), Jerome Williamson (EcoFish), My Goodness, Paradiso, Saoirse Ethnic Hands and FoodCloud.

Sailing, Shucking & Shanties

Sailing, Shucking & Shanties features harbour views, oyster tasting with Pat O’Connell, sea shanties from the Cobh Molgoggers, and a guided maritime tour.

Here’s a taste of what else you can expect during the weekend…

• A Young Chef Collaboration Dinner at Farmgate will showcase the rising stars of Cork’s culinary future, through a menu that celebrates the iconic English Market.
• Plates & Pairings at Jacques Restaurant will offer a carefully curated Cork food and drink celebration.
• Breaking Bread: A Cultural Connection, curated by Chef Orla McAndrew, invites visitors to taste dishes created by Cork’s migrant community, paired with live entertainment.
• North x South Wine Tasting, a collaboration between MacCurtain Wine Cellar and L’Atitude 51, celebrates wine culture with a Cork twist.
• Murder Mystery Night at The Grand Dame offers dinner and drama at The Imperial Hotel, featuring a three-course meal and live interactive theatre.
• From Barrel to Board pairs local whiskey and cheeses at The Shelbourne with On the Pig’s Back.
• A free International Tea Ceremony and cooking demos at Nano Nagle Place, hosted with Cork Migrant Centre.
• Rooftop Food Culture Bus Tour, led by food historian Regina Sexton and Cork City Tours, includes sightseeing and storytelling, finished with pizza and a pint at Rising Sons Microbrewery.
• More free and ticketed demos will also pop up around the city, including at the English Market and a special demo on traditional soda bread, butter, and corned beef at the Butter Museum.
• Family-friendly highlights include food trails, hands-on workshops, a Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Marina Market, and the ‘Play with Your Food’ producer tasting experience at St. Peter’s.
• Balance, Beats & Bites offers a wellness-focused evening with The Yoga Tree and Spice Genie at the Old Savings Bank, combining yoga, food, and feel-good beats.
• Food trails and farm tours explore Cork’s farm-to-fork journey with access to the people and stories behind the produce.
• Cork’s drinks scene will shine through tasting events, workshops, and tours with local breweries and distilleries including the Franciscan Well Beerfest and Rebel City Distillery.
• Pop-up events and tastings will pop up across community gardens, libraries, and businesses throughout the suburbs.
• Foraging walks include a free session with Epi Rohan in the Lee Fields and another in Fitzgerald Park with Chloe Dempsey, followed by a water kefir demo and tasting at Proby’s Kitchen.
• Street events will also feature along Union Quay with L’Atitude 51 and other partners bringing the buzz outdoors.

For more information and to book tickets, visit corkonaforkfest.ie