Waterford served up on a plate at Waterford Harvest Festival

With a tasty, jam – packed programme of events scheduled for Waterford Harvest Festival (September 11^th to 13^th), an exciting collaboration of Waterford restaurants is flying the flag for local producers.

The premise of this year’s Harvest Festival is Waterford Food Heroes and “EAT Waterford”, a collective of Waterford restaurants and hotels will champion the best of local produce.  Set in the Marquee on the Mall, in the heart of the Viking Triangle, diners will be able to enjoy a five course tasting menu, prepared by the participating restaurants using fresh, seasonal ingredients, sourced from local producers.

Paul Power, Head Chef with Waterford’s Bellissimo Restaurant, a member of EAT Waterford, outlined the group’s food philosophy and how EAT Waterford is committed to shining the spotlight on Waterford as a burgeoning food tourism destination.

“The last ten years have seen an exciting, passionate food movement in Waterford.  There has been the development of a food philosophy that values local and regional produce and from that ensures the best dining experience for customers.”

“Waterford and its surrounds are spoilt with a fantastic array of great growers and producers and, of course, natural resources, so there is no excuse for restaurants to provide sub-standard dining experiences.”

All of the EAT Waterford restaurants are ardent supporters of artisan producers and there is currently an exciting cohort of such producers in Waterford.  The home of the blaa, rashers and even the humble cream cracker has inspired a generation of local producers of great meat, seafood, breads, vegetables, beer and spirits.

“In the last decade, Waterford producers, growers, chefs and restaurants began to sing from the same hymn sheet.  Working in tandem, from grass roots level to the dining table, has resulted in a more enjoyable, positive, memorable experience for diners in Waterford city.”

“EAT Waterford was formed earlier this year to harness local restaurants that adhere to a similar food philosophy and those that recognise the value of working together to raise the profile of our vibrant restaurant scene.”

The EAT Waterford Marquee on the Mall takes place throughout Waterford Harvest Festival with sittings at 7pm on Friday, September 11^th, 1pm, 5pm and 8.30pm on Saturday, September 12^th and 2pm  on Sunday, September 13^th.

Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.ie or from  participating restaurants; Loko, La Boheme, L’Atmosphere, Bellissimo and Zak’s Restaurant (Athenaeum House Hotel).

Not only will Waterford Harvest Festival be the home of the Marquee on the Mall dining experience, there is an emphasis on all things fun, food and family. 

The wide and eclectic programme of free events for all includes the Festival Market on the Mall, Farm to Fork, The Big Taste, Enterprising Food Market, Trad Craft Corner, Harvest Time in the Garden, The Ballybricken Festival Fair, Harvest Kitchen and Play ‘n’ Picnic in the Park.

This year’s festival promises a congruence of sights, sounds, tastes and aromas with cookery demonstrations, foodie films, tastings and workshops, all making Waterford City one big street party for Harvest weekend.

All roads lead to Waterford from September 11^th to 13th.  If you want to know more, the Waterford Harvest Festival full programme of events is available on www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie

Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter #WaterfoodHeroes and #WhattheFork

Internationally renowned Chef back on home turf!

At the age of 21 newly qualified chef Adrian O’ Herlihy graduated from Dublin College of Catering in Cathal Brugha Street, armed with a freshly pressed set of whites and a toque ready to take on the culinary world.

In a highly impressive career spanning thirty three years and nearly as many countries O’ Herlihy has returned home to Ireland.  You could be forgiven for asking why an award-winning Executive Chef who has worked in the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in the world, including the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa and the Park Plaza Beijing is returning to Ireland.

According to O’ Herlihy Ireland is experiencing a resurgent food movement and he is looking forward to being part of it. “The Ireland I left behind in 1982 is very different from the Ireland of today.  The food and hospitality sector is rightfully reclaiming its place as one of the world’s leading food tourism destinations.”

“It’s an exciting time for Irish chefs and for the Irish hospitality sector, in general.  The economy is on the up, VAT is stable at a favourable 9% and the investment in great chefs, great suppliers and great producers is creating a food tourism economy that’s the envy of many countries.”

On March 19^th, Adrian will also showcase indigenous producers to a small gathering at Bellissimo. The Waterford restaurant, under the helm of renowned Head Chef Paul Power, has been championing local producers for almost 15 years.

According to Tony McMahon, proprietor of Bellissimo Restaurant the idea came about when he met Adrian on his return to Ireland. “From the outset it was obvious that we both shared the same vision and passion about good food.  There is a growing movement in Waterford of people passionate about promoting a great dining experience.  Many restaurants and hotels in the city are working in tandem, to create a quality, enjoyable and accessible dining culture.”

“By having someone of Adrian’s exceptional calibre, who brings a myriad of international experience, working alongside local producers is energizing and will certainly put the spotlight on the wonderful array of raw materials and resources that Waterford has to offer.”

Adrian will merge the characteristic styles of African, Asian and Eastern cooking with local ingredients from local producers.

Hailing from Tallow, Co. Waterford O’ Herlihy is no stranger to plaudits.  Following graduation from Dublin College of Catering, his career began its stellar trajectory and he has worked in the U.S.A, U.K., Germany, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, China, Africa and Japan. He has cooked for Royalty, Presidents, Heads of State, international diplomats, celebrities and has received personal commendations from many including Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and HSH Prince Bisadej of Thailand.  He also cooked for President Michael D. Higgins on his working visit to Africa last November.

For more about Bellissimo Restaurant check out www.bellissimo-waterford.com or visit www.adrianwohelihy.com to find out more about Adrian’s international career.