Two day Taste of Cavan festival an appetising prospect for foodies

Sean McMahon

Free cullinary tips from stars of the kitchen will be amongst the countless highlights at this year's two day foodie-fest - The Taste of Cavan - which kicks off at Cavan Institute this morning (Saturday). Thousands are expected to descend on Cavan Town for the family friendly event, which champions the local food sector and showcases the wealth of cuisine available in the county. Organisers are confident it will build upon the last year's successful first bite at Taste of Cavan cherry.

Top chef Neven Maguire will put on two cookery demos this afternoon for the festival. From 12.15-1pm and 2.45-4.15pm.

“This is the second year of this event and last year was such a runaway success. We will have the event staged over two days this time, which I am very excited about. The whole purpose of these festivals - and they are happening in nearly every county now - is showcasing the best of local food, local restaurants and artisan producers.
“We have an awful lot to offer here in Cavan and it is getting that message across. We are renowned for the beauty of the county and the people – but now the aim is to be renowned for its food and produce. I think that is very important,” Neven says.

Showcase
“I think it is a great location, near the Cavan Institute, with parking facilities. It is very much a family event, which people can come and enjoy.
“Well done to Cavan County Council, because these are the kind of initiatives we need in the county to showcase what we really have to offer and, hopefully, it will bring a lot of people to the county. Not alone to Cavan Town, but all over the county,” he told the Celt. 
“There will be a huge footfall there and people will be able to buy produce from the various stands and there will be tastings on offer – I think it is a win-win for everyone – the customer is getting some nice food and the producer is getting an opportunity to showcase their wares to make some money on the weekend.”

Pride
“I am very proud of our county – it is a beautiful part of the world and so many people say to me: ‘Wow, we did not realise how beautiful Cavan is’, so it is lovely for them to come up and see the great produce we have and when they return home, they can use it in their everyday cooking.
“I’m doing two demonstrations on the Saturday and I want to thank them for inviting me. Last year was such a success. I said ‘absolutely, I’ll be there’. I will be doing three dishes at each demonstration – this will include a starter, main course and a desert. I will be doing some nice local lamb, a chicken dish, of course, because of Carton Brothers. I’ll also be using Farm-to-Market chicken-producers’ products, too,” said Neven.

Recognition
“I will be doing food that people can do every day – having a little bit of fun and getting the audience involved. They can also buy a cookbook of the chef’s recipes at the event.
“I have learned from last year and from going around the country and even in my own county, the great chefs we have.
“That is fantastic and I am very happy about that and it is getting better and better.
“Cavan is being recognised as a great county for food.”
The MC for the event over the two days is Ella McSweeney, from RTE’s Ear to the Ground.

Saturday 10th Aug

11.00 – 11.45     Brian McDermott, Community Chef, Donegal
12.15 – 1pm       Neven Maguire, MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion, Co. Cavan

Neven Maguire with Martin Donohoe

1.30 – 2.15         Shane Smith, Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 
2.45 – 4.15         Neven Maguire, MacNean House & Restaurant and Máire Dufficy, Bord Bia Food Advisor  
5.00 – 5.45         Fergus Murphy, Murphs Bistro, Cootehill, Cavan 
6 – 6.30pm        Gold Medal Awards for Best new product and Best Stand
6.30 – 7 pm       Song Sisters to close the show

Sunday 11th Aug

11 – 11.30      The ICA are running a Summer berry pie and jam competition on Sunday morning – judging by Chefs Shane Smith & Brian McDermott
11.45 – 2pm   The Chef of Cavan Competition (amateur) with 8 competitors:
Hilda Rudden, Stradone, Tess Brady, Mountnugent, Nan Smith, Ballyjamesduff, Ada Vance, Arva, Grainne Galligan, Ballinagh, Lorraine Teevan, Cavan Town, Joey McDonald, Cavan Town, Patrick Mulherin, Cavan Town

The brief is to cook a balanced main course for 2 people for under €10 using locally produced food.  The competition will be judged by Celebrity Chef Clodagh McKenna, Ann Marie Lacey, Director Cavan Institute, Chef Shane Smith, Fallon & Byrne, Dublin and Liz Wall, President ICA

The prize is a day in the famous Neven Maguire’s Kitchen at MacNean Restaurant, Blacklion and the title of Chef of County Cavan

2.30 – 3.30   Cookery Demo by Clodagh McKenna, Clodagh’s Kitchen Arnotts and Blackrock
4.00 – 4.45   Demo by Gearoid Lynch, The Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill, Cavan

The Olde Post Inn

5.15 – 6pm   Demo by Joe Shannon, TV3 and Head Chef, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo
6pm –           Closing by Minister Simon Coveney
6.30 – 7pm  Grand Finale –Irish traditional music by Cavan Comhaltas and dancers

Bailieboro Community Garden who represented Cavan at Bloom will be on display.
                                                 
Entertainment for children all weekend.  Jazz band playing at the new band stand in the Con Smith Park. This is one event that foodies will not want to miss!

t: 049 437 8606 e:fun@thisiscavan.ie