Preparations are well underway for the 35th Bollinger Kinsale Gourmet Festival which takes place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th October in association with the Kinsale Good Food Circle. One of Ireland’s leading food festivals, the Bollinger Kinsale Gourmet Festival is world renowned for its fantastic food and wines, as well as plenty of fun and entertainment.
The festival kicks off on Friday 7th October with a “Cook Off” on the streets of Kinsale; and you are invited to join the chefs of the Good Food Circle and their Newport, R.I., contemporaries to sample some of their fares as they show off their culinary skills. At 6.30pm the Official Opening of the 35th Bollinger Kinsale Gourmet Festival takes place with a special Black Tie event at The White Lady hosted by MC, Derek Davis. Then it’s time for diners to jump aboard the “land train” which will drop them off at one of the twelve Good Food Circle dining destinations. The opening night concludes with the first ever “Bolly Ball”, where guests will sip Champagne and dance the night away with music from the Strauss Orchestra in Actons Hotel.
The famous Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale kicks off at Actons Hotel at 11.30am on Saturday 8th. Join Alice, the March Hare and the Dormouse for the highlight of the Festival – the Alice in Wonderland themed tour of the member restaurants of Kinsale’s Good Food Circle that begins with a sparkling reception in Acton’s Hotel, sponsored by Christy’s Wines & Spirits. From there, diners will enjoy an escorted tour of fine cuisine tastings and wine sampling from festival wine sponsors – Nash Wines, Gleesons (incorporating Gilbeys), Karwigs, and Barry Fitzwilliam; on the many stops throughout the day. Non wine drinkers can avail of Heineken courtesy of Heineken Ireland or sip on Tipperary Sparkling Water. The only requirement for the Mad Hatter’s Taste of Kinsale is that diners wear a “Mad Hat” in honour of the special guest, the Mad Hatter; the best of which will win a prize, compliments of Hattitude, Kinsale.
Afterwards, guests are invited to hop on the ‘land train’ heading for the Pallas Foods sponsored Festival Club at The White Lady to dance the evening away to the sounds of Crazy Chester. Following all that revelling, festival goers can move on to The Blue Haven at 10pm, as ‘The Lady’ herself, Ms. Sharon Crosbie takes guests into the wee hours.
On Sunday 9th October, broadcaster Derek Davis will, once again, be on hand to host a Fruits De Mer luncheon at 1pm, for a superb afternoon of dining and entertainment. Guests will enjoy a mouth-watering four course lunch, including lobster, crab, prawns and all the freshest seafood Kinsale has to offer accompanied by delicious wines sponsored by Torres Mas Rabell, and freshly roasted coffee compliments of Bewleys; with live music from the Magnetics. Throughout the afternoon there will be fun and games, with lots of spot prizes to be won, as well as the annual charity auction held in aid of Kinsale’s Pink Ribbon Walk, raising funds for Breast Cancer awareness.
Commenting on the event Roman Minihan, Director of the 35th Bollinger Kinsale Gourmet Festival, said “We are really looking forward to this year’s Gourmet Festival. Every year, we welcome visitors from around the world and this year is set to be no different. It’s a hugely enjoyable event and an absolute must for food lovers. Our line-up this year is bigger and better than ever, and we are delighted to have Bollinger on board again as our title sponsor. The Good Food Circle chefs have been busy preparing new and exciting dishes to showcase at the festival; and we hope to see both new and returning visitors coming along to enjoy this wonderful event.”
Speaking about their involvement with the Festival, Philippe Menguy of Bollinger said “We are delighted to once again be involved in the Kinsale Gourmet Festival, an event that has such prestige within Ireland and beyond. We are especially looking forward to the Bollinger Champagne ‘Bolly Ball’ on Friday 7th.”
Visitors to the Kinsale Gourmet Festival will not be disappointed with the variety of events on offer over the course of the weekend. Participating restaurants include Restaurant d’Antibes, The Blue Haven, The Captains Table @ Actons Hotel, Crackpots, Jim Edwards, Maxs, Man Friday, Pier One @ the Trident Hotel, Toddies, White Lady, Jolas and Fishy Fishy Cafe.
Tickets for the 35th Bollinger Kinsale Gourmet Festival are now available at varying prices; for the complete line-up and ticket information, visit www.kinsalerestaurants.com, www.kinsale.ie or call 021 4773571.