Cork on a Fork Fest Returns with Community at Its Heart

Cork's premier food festival is back from 13 to 17 August 2025, serving up a five-day feast that celebrates not just great food, but the diverse communities that make Cork Ireland's food capital.

Cork on a Fork Fest returns next month with a flavour-packed programme that goes well beyond the plate. The Cork City Council-led festival has expanded its focus this year to spotlight community and inclusion, with multicultural events and accessible dining experiences ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.

The festival showcases why Cork holds the title of Ireland's food capital, with more than 60 per cent of the country's artisan producers based in the region. Every one of the nearly 100 events involves members of Cork's food community, from established restaurants to grassroots movements shaping the city's culinary future.

This year's standout feature is the emphasis on bringing people together through food. Community gardens across the city will open their gates for free feasts, while special events include an international tea ceremony with Cork Migrant Centre and a youth-led dining experience with Down Syndrome Cork.

Regina Sexton, UCC food and culinary historian, will share her expertise during an exclusive evening rooftop food culture bus tour on 15 August, combining Cork's food heritage with pizza and craft beer atop a sightseeing bus.

The festival kicks off on 13 August with the Taste the Goodness Garden Party at Knocknaheeny Community Garden, offering free cob oven pizza and music from 12:30pm. That evening, Glenbrook Farm hosts a rustic spit-roast supper with live storytelling for €65.

Thursday 14 August sees young cooks from Down Syndrome Cork Youth Club partnering with Cornstore's Head Chef Maura Baxter for a special dining experience at 6:30pm. Bookings can be made directly with the Cornstore.

Friday's highlight is Breaking Bread: A Cultural Connection, where chef Orla McAndrew brings together Cork's migrant community for an evening of shared dishes and stories at St Peter's. The €25 ticket price supports community partners.

Weekend events include free cooking demonstrations in Emmet Place, with Saoirse Ethnic Hands launching their multicultural cookbook "Tastes of Home" on Saturday at 5pm. The same day features Meet the Makers, where children can enjoy tastings with Cork's artisan producers, curated by On the Pig's Back.

Community gardens take centre stage on Saturday, with Togher Community Garden presenting a global buffet from noon and Murphy's Farm offering fresh stir-fries and burgers from 2pm. Both events are free and require no booking.

Joe McNamee from the Irish Examiner hosts a panel discussion on preserving traditional food methods on Friday evening at St Peter's, featuring Cork's best producers discussing how they keep culinary traditions alive.

The festival partners with Feed Cork, FoodCloud, and Cork Penny Dinners to champion food equity and ensure the celebration reaches all corners of the community. Nearly every event involves local businesses, from the 20 establishments collaborating on a long table dinner to individual producers sharing their craft.

Festival organisers have worked with partners including Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork, Cork Airport, Cork Business Association, MTU, the IHF Cork branch, the Irish Examiner, and Cork's RedFM to create this expansive programme.

With events ranging from free community garden visits to ticketed dining experiences, the festival offers something for every taste and budget. Full details and bookings are available at corkonaforkfest.ie, with updates on social media @corkonaforkfest.