A NEW festival aims to inspire the next generation to appreciate and learn about Kinsale's unique and world-renowned food culture.
A NEW festival aims to inspire the next generation to appreciate and learn about Kinsale’s unique and world-renowned food culture.
Both children and young adults will don aprons and work in some of the town’s most prestigious restaurant kitchens from Monday November 11th to Friday November 15th as part of the Kinsale Kids Kitchen Takeover.
Aiming to encourage future generations of chefs and food producers, primary and secondary school students will hear how our food is sourced, prepared and cooked before getting a chance to create their own menu for family and friends, while under the supervision and guidance of some of Kinsale’s finest cooking talents.
Many of the biggest names in Ireland’s food industry will also lend their time and support to the event through a series of morning workshops, guest lectures and afternoon immersion sessions at the state of the art facilities as Kinsale Community College, as well as various restaurants and hotels across Kinsale. Guest speakers and demonstrations from Kinsale’s newest Michelin Star chef Paul MacDonald and Irish Michelin star chef Ross Lewis from the famous Chapter One restaurant in Dublin.
Leading seafood chef Martin Shanahan, Kinsale chef Pearse O’Sullivan and nutritionist Shonagh Harper are also involved.
Students will hear from local food producers, nutritionists, historians and a number of chefs about the history and tradition of food in the Kinsale area and the world class produce on their doorstep and how it has shaped our food heritage.
Planned activities include on-site visits and lecturers from producers, farmers and fishermen as well as insights into our carbon footprint and sustainable food choices from Madeleine Murray and Dr Tara Shine of Plastic Free Kinsale.
Each evening the Kids Takeover and the students will be introduced to the buzz and energy of a busy working kitchen through the involvement of Kinsale’s Good Food Circle restaurants.
Groups will work with chefs and their team to create their own menu using ingredients gathered throughout the day.
The cooking experience will also provide a new and better understanding of the food industry, the people involved in it.
The children will get to see what happens behind the scenes of some of the most well known food establishments in the country.
Meeting industry heroes and the people behind the food will hopefully inspire the next generation of foodies to not only make the right sustainable food choices but also gain an understanding of our food culture and spark a passion for food and creativity having seen some of the iconic masters of the industry at work.
Proceeds from the Kinsale Kids Kitchen Takeover will go to Kinsale Youth Support Services.
The festival is brought to the town by the Kinsale Good Food Circle and is part of the Taste the Island Festival, which is a celebration of Ireland’s food and drinks industries.
