A Taste of West Cork

Last Sunday we travelled to Skibbereen for ‘A Taste of West Cork Food Frestival’ in anticipation of a food filled day with “the centre of Skibbereen taken over by a host of stalls and marquees”, lots of kids entertainment was promised including dance, arts, drama, bouncy castles and make and do.  Turns out all of this is going on NEXT Sunday!  All, however, was not lost.   Ravenous with the hunger we piled into the first restaurant we came across – ‘Le Voyage’ which turns out to be a bit of  a gem.  Great value, excellent service and quality food, more than made our trip to Skibbereen worthwhile.  www.levoyage.ie
‘A Taste of West Cork’ is indeed well underway and started with a conference entitled ‘Food for the Future-Can Ireland Feed Itself?’ on Saturday 11th.  On the Sunday that we visited there was a ‘Food Trail’ by bus to local producers and a talk on preserving tomatoes, sauces, chutneys etc at Glebe Gardens Baltimore.  There are workshops and demonstrations during the week (Martin Shanahan of Fishy Fishy Kinsale is on tonight in West Cork Hotel at 7pm).  Wednesday 15th sees a Sushi demonstration at Annie May’s Restaurant at 6pm and ‘Le Voyage’ are offering a 5 Course Seafood Menu on the same night at 7pm.
Highlights on Thursday will be a reading with John and Sally McKenna at 4pm at ‘The Time Travellers Bookshop’ and at 7pm that evening there is a sparkling wine red carpet reception at ‘The Church Restaurant’ where they are putting on a 4 course banquet with live music.
Friday and Saturday are packed full of activities and opportunities for tasting the best local produce – see www.atasteofwestcork.com for more.  Sunday 19th will be family fun day incorporating open-air market / festival / fun-day at the Fairfield in the centre of Skibbereen.  Lots of fun, music and cookery demonstrations are promised with a giant screen showing the all-Ireland Final.
Selection of cheese with ‘Gubbeen Cheese Oatcakes’ all purchased in Fields Supervalu, Skibbereen ‘A Taste of West Cork’ Food Festival Sponsor.
Til next time, Sheila
p.s. one pot recipe on Thursday.