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

Local food producer to speak about Waterford’s rising food reputation!

As part of the Harvest Festival in September the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford will host its annual ‘Enterprising Food Lunch’ on Friday, September 11^th in Dooley’s Hotel.

The key note speaker at the lunch will be Dermot Walsh, co-owner of Walsh’s Bakehouse (formerly M&D Bakeries), a third generation family bakery. This lunch is a celebration of food in Waterford. With the assistance of Love Irish Food, diners will enjoy the best east and west Waterford has to offer.

One of the most famous offerings in the Walsh’s Bakehouse portfolio is the Waterford Blaa.  In 2013, the Waterford Blaa received the highest recognition as a quality European foodstuff – Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.  This prestigious designation meant that the Waterford Blaa could claim its place among the ranks of internationally renowned products such as Italy’s Parma Ham, France’s Camembert de Normandie Cheese and Greece’s Kalamata Olive Oil. 

Driven by the The Blaa Bakers Association, which consists of Walsh’s Bakehouse, Hickey’s Bakery, Barron’s Bakery and Kilmacow Bakery, the group, between them, produce over 100,000 blaas weekly.

Mr. Walsh added, “Since the awarding of PGI status, the blaa can be found throughout Ireland, the UK, France, the U.S. and now in the Middle East.  It’s been an exciting journey for the once humble Waterford foodstuff that can trace its origins back to the 1690’s.”

Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise, LEO Waterford commented on the importance of the event, “The Enterprising Food Lunch has become a popular event during Waterford Harvest Festival and we are delighted to have such an inspirational speaker this year. This industry has grown exponentially throughout Waterford.  With its rich and fertile hinterlands and seas, and such an abundant trading heritage, Waterford has been fortunate to have a proliferation of quality food producers.  The Enterprising Food Lunch is important, to celebrate what we have, but also to inspire others to enter the food business.”

The lunch will also serve as the launch platform of the Harvest Festival.  Being the first event of the festival weekend it is a fitting and appropriate start to the festivities.

Waterford Harvest Festival Chair, Paul Nolan (Business Development Manager of Dawn Meats), “We are delighted to link up with the Local Enterprise Office for this Enterprising Food Lunch, the food industry has always been very strong in Waterford and I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to launch the Harvest Festival”.

Tickets (just €15) for this lunch can be purchased from the Customer Services Department, Bailey’s New Street, Waterford Tel 0761 10 20 20 (street at side of Reginald’s Tower) or Customer Services Dept. Civic Offices, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Tel 058 22 00 0.

Early booking is advised.

The Local Enterprise Office offers support services for start-up and existing SME’s in Waterford City and County. For more information on food production assistance please contact your Local Enterprise Office at 32 the Mall.  Tel 0761 09 99 05 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .  

Waterford food producers to create 30 new jobs in 12 months

There is a quiet food revolution taking place in Waterford City and County.

From the traditional and famous Blaa to exotic seaweed based breads, the return of hand roasting coffee in the region to locally famous ice cream makers, these and more local food producers will be pitching their tents in Cathedral Square, Waterford City and creating the Enterprising Food Village in this September’s Harvest Festival. 

Festival goers can also look forward to practical cookery demonstrations in the village over the weekend.

Over the past few years the routes to market for local food producers have expanded exponentially. Festivals such as Harvest increase sales, but more importantly introduce these brands to new markets and future customers.

Based on working with local food producers, Mr. Ciaran Cullen of Waterford’s Local Enterprise Office anticipates an increase of over 30 jobs from those businesses in the next 12 months. “The food culture in Waterford has shifted perceptively in the last few years.  Here in Waterford we are lucky to have a dedicated group of food producers who are making great strides in putting Waterford on the Irish food map. This is in no small part helped by the Local Enterprise Office’s ‘Food Academy Programme’, in partnership with SuperValu and Bord Bia. Our clients have informed us of plans to expand their workforce due to increased demand both within Ireland and internationally.”

The Food Academy really does give small producers a big chance, as local producers from Waterford City and County; Gino’s Ice-cream, Ponticelli Coffee, The Early Bird Egg Company, Edelicious and Sea of Vitality were among the first participants in this tailored retail programme resulting in the Waterford ‘five’ becoming the first graduates to have their products displayed on the shelves of Caulfield’s, Garvey’s and Quish’s SuperValu stores in Waterford last month.

Based on the success of the initial sales and customer feedback SuperValu has agreed to expand the Waterford food products nationwide to line the shelves of between 15 and 20 stores across the SuperValu platform. Mr. Cullen believes this expansion in sales will translate into jobs and inspire further food enterprises in the county.

The Harvest Festival takes place in Waterford City on the weekend of the 12th to 14th September 2014. Now in its sixth year, the three day festival has built a reputation as a valuable showcase for local and regional food producers.  Young and young at heart alike will be able to find something to whet their appetites throughout Waterford’s city centre, the Viking Triangle and the three City Centre Parks.

If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  The Festival brochure is widely available throughout the City and County.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s all of a buzz in the City for Harvest

With so many family and community events popping up throughout the Harvest Festival, Waterford City will certainly be buzzing from September 12^th to 14^th.  Wyse Park, New Street Gardens and People’s Park will host a vast array of activities. 

In New Street Gardens there will be cookery demonstrations, bee-keeping classes, GIY workshops, puppet making, live music and plenty of family fun! Wyse Park kicks off with a Hoedown on Friday thanks to St Brigid’s Family & Community Centre and Inner City Youth Project, so don’t forget to swing your ‘pardner do-si so’. There will also be herbal remedy stalls, storytelling, food craft, not to mention building -a- Bed led by Waterford Civic Trust St John Priory Project and the GROW Project.

People’s Park is all about Picnics and Play with giant Jenga, boules and chess, not to mention the muddy mayhem, games, science and foodie fun activities all Saturday afternoon proudly brought to you by Caulfield’s SuperValu.

Let the kids’ creativity and imaginations run wild as they make their own cupcakes, pasta art, noodle doodles or paper gardens in the City Square Shopping Centre. The City Library will be transformed by the mad cap antics of clowns, acrobats and all things circus!

City POP is brought to Harvest by an eclectic mix of skilled local people and artistic innovators. It aims to bring an exciting and eye-catching visual element to the streets of Waterford. Passers-by can interact with the energy of the festival through larger than life creations and art installations. Keep an eye out for The Grow Project's latest creative outdoor installation- a colourful makeover for the gardener's humble friend, the wheelbarrow!

Follow the ‘Green Trail’ and discover guerrilla gardens and pop up planting, all adding a Harvest feel to the Waterford landscape. The ‘Green Team’- GIY Waterford, Ballybeg Greens and Ucasadh - has been busy planting and plotting to lay a living carpet under the Viking Long Boat.

Stroll along Scarecrow Street, watch out for frying pans and watering cans overhead and check out the giant veg patch in John Roberts Square, or spot the amazing signposts built with skill and care from Traditional Craft by Waterford.

Art on the Railings is another colourful addition to the festival on Saturday, September 13th from 11am to 4pm. With over 35 artists showcasing their talents on the railings around Bishop’s Palace and Christ Church Cathedral you can be sure to pick up a quirky, affordable and original piece of work. 

All roads lead to Waterford on 12^th - 14th September.  If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  The Festival brochure has been distributed and is widely available throughout the City and County.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter.

Local Food Hero’s central to Harvest Festival in Waterford City

From the smallest food businesses working from home kitchens to international market leaders of the food industry, this year’s Harvest Festival will showcase the best of what Waterford and the South East food producers have to offer.

The Harvest Festival takes place in Waterford City on the weekend of the 12th to 14th September 2014. Now in its sixth year, the three day festival has built a reputation as a valuable showcase for local and regional food producers.  Young and young at heart alike will be able to find something to whet their appetites throughout Waterford’s city centre, the Viking Triangle and the three City Centre Parks.

Since pagan times, the harvest festival has been a time to celebrate the crop, where family and community to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labour, and this year’s festival intends to do just that. New events to the programme include The Big Taste in John Robert’s Square, The New Street Garden Party and Wyse Weekend, along with the welcome return of the Enterprising Food Village, Picnic & Play in the Park and The Viking Rocks Craft Beerfest.

From buttered blaas to BLT’s, craft beer to creamy cupcakes, pulled pork to garden greens, Waterford Harvest Festival has something to suit all taste buds. Visitors can expect a variety of succulent street food from festival favourites and a smorgasbord of celebrity chefs such as Darina Allen in the Grow HQ Kitchen event.

Chair, Paul Nolan is looking forward to this year’s Festival, “We are extremely excited with the plans for September’s Harvest Festival. Personally I am delighted that this year we are focusing on highlighting, promoting and supporting the food producers in the region.”

“We want to make it a city wide festival that encompasses city centre retail, the historic Viking triangle and amenities such as New Street Gardens, Wyse Park and the People’s Park. We hope everyone supports their local food producers and enjoys what will be a wonderful weekend.”

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 on 12^th - 14th September.  If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  

A Festival brochure will be distributed and also widely available throughout the City and County over the coming weeks.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter

Mr. Binman cleans up Waterford’s Harvest Festival

As Festival sponsor, Mr. Binman supplied the food, recycling and general waste disposal for the Waterford Harvest Festival outdoor events, including the Big Street Barbeque, Picnic in the Park, GIY Street Feast and the Amazing Grazing event on the South Quays.

Gary O’Keeffe, Mr. Binman Commercial Manager, said of the sponsorship “This is a wonderful opportunity for a company like Mr. Binman to partner with one of Ireland’s largest artisan natural food festivals.”

“Waterford Harvest Festival aims to educate people in the appreciation of good, clean, fair food. Similarly, Mr. Binman is encouraging people to make small changes in their attitudes towards recycling and to act more responsibly towards the environment.”

Mr Binman is constantly striving to increase the amount of waste recycled. The more material that is recycled, the less waste going to landfill which is better for this and future generations.

Mr. O’ Keeffe added, “The challenge for us all is to make small modifications in our day to day practises. Small but significant steps such as reducing, reusing and recycling our waste can make a big difference.”

Mr Binman is a family run waste and recycling company that employs over 150 people in the South East region. For further information and details about Mr. Binman log onto www.mrbinman.com or call 051 643144.

Pictured at the launch of the 2011 Waterford Harvest Festival were Michael Garland (Waterford Chamber of Commerce), Gary O’ Keeffe (Mr. Binman), Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Pat Hayes and Lynn Cahill (Waterford City Council).