Galway Food Festival 2017 – My Top Five Picks And Some

The Galway Food Festival takes place in Galway from the 13th to the 17th of April. In this article, you will find a list of events I think are exciting.  

Festival programs can be overwhelming, so I took one for the team and did all the dirty work so you won’t have to. The kind folks at the Galway Food Festival invited us to the media launch in Galway last week. We were taken on a fun and very tasty tour of the city, every stop more gorgeous than the last one. They showcased some of the events organised for the festival and below are my top picks. I have tried some of what I’m talking about below and others are just the ones that jumped out to me from the very extensive program. 

Breaking Bread – A Community Feast 

If you know me, you know that I’m mad about food. If you know me well, you’ll know that I’m mad about inclusivity. This is something that I’ve incorporated in my cooking for as long as I can remember. I research and borrow and mingle flavours from various cuisines around the world. The Galway Food Festival will end up on a very high note on Easter Monday, betweem 2 pm and 5 pm at Fishmarket Square by the Spanish Arch. They are aiming to create a legacy of inclusion, acceptance, and collaboration among Galway’s many communities. If you’ve been bothered by international news and have wondered how you can help, well this is a very good first step. Why not go and discover the other communities in your city. Breaking bread leads to happy souls. 

The launch of Breaking Bread, part of The Galway Food Festival, at The Spanish Arch.Photo: Boyd Challenger

Galway Food Tour 

A 2 hours culinary walking tour of the city, will give you a chance to meet with producers and taste all sorts of delicious local products. The guide, Sheena Dignam, is enthusiastic and knowlegeable and she will bring you on a very tasty adventure while telling you tales old and new about the city and its growing food industry. This will cost you €35 but you will be full and relaxed by the end of it. It’s a tour I’ll be doing again. 

Seaweed Walk, Talk & Forage With JP McMahon

This will take place on Silverstrand, on Friday 11.00 am to 12.00 pm. It’s not every day that you will get the chance to go foraging with a Michelin Star Chef. JP McMahon is a shining star on the Irish food scene but on top of that, and most importantly, he’s a really nice guy. If you’re thinking of going, make sure to wear rain gear and waterproof shoes. And don’t forget your bucket. 

Poitín masterclass

Meet Padraic O Griallais, the founder of Micil Poitín. Get a cocktail demonstration and sip on the gorgeous results, but more importantly, listen to Padraic’s charming stories. The secret location is really fun and the talk given is great craic. Not technically food related and it may be the Poitín talking but this was one of the highlights of the media launch for me. 

Local Seafood and Sake Pairing 

At €70 per person, this event comes with a stiff price tag but it is well worth it. I had the chance to try some of the dishes and sake on offer and the tuna will stay with me for a long time. As will the camembert and cherry blossom ice cream. This is a unique chance to taste the best of Galway through the eyes of a Japanese chef. 

There are many events of note during the Galway Food Festival. The Kiddies Kitchen in the House Hotel and the Molecular Gastronomy Kid’s workshop at the Meyrick Hotel in Galway will keep your young ones entertained and educated. The Living Earth Panel Discussion looks very interesting and I would love to be able to attend. The Sushi Making Demonstration at the Tomodachi Sushi Bar is something I’m hoping they will keep doing outside of the festival. Having eaten there, I would be keen to learn from their chef. Finally, if you get a chance, try and head up to Spidal to try Builin Blasta’s cinnamon roll. Try and get them straight from the oven, you will thank me later.