“We would like to invite you to our National Craft Butchers BBQ Competition taking place on Monday May 27th from 3.30 pm in Teagasc, Ashtown, Dublin 15.

This will be a fantastic event where Craft Butchers from around the country will compete for the main prize of National BBQ Product of the Year under the expert eye of Neven Maguire and his team.

Neven will hold 2 demonstrations before judging followed by the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland Young Butcher of The Year who will showcase his craft knowledge and expertise topped by many other activities on the day.

Local butchers’ shops are one of the last bastions of our communities hence this will be a great day out for all involved, it will be a celebration of Irish, Local, Tradition and most of all Craftsmanship.”

If you are interested in attending and supporting Irish craft butchers, just send julie. an email to confirm your attendance.

Bloom, which takes place from Thursday 30 May to Monday 3 June, is Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival. It provides a fantastic opportunity to meet with food producers, take some colourful photographs, try some amazing artisan food and most of all, it’s a fun day out!

Bloom will take place within a 70 acre site in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, this June bank holiday weekend. Now in its seventh year, the event attracted over 80,000 visitors last year. Bloom 2013 will be officially opened by The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, on Thursday May 30th and will run until Monday June 3rd. Visitors will have the opportunity to view 28 spectacular show-gardens, sample a wide range of artisan food as well as craft beers and spirits from over 100 Irish food and drink producers and attend more than 25 cookery demonstrations by some of Ireland’s best loved chefs. The popular Floral Marquee will also return featuring 50 nurseries along with almost 200 retailers.

This year, Bloom is also inviting 1,000 people to the Gathering of Gardeners – offering people a chance to bring together their friends and family to share in the wonderful experience that is Bloom in the Park.

Each winner will receive a pair of day tickets, which are valid for any day over the weekend – and remember that kids go free at this event so you can bring the whole family! To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post (one comment only, please – multiple entries will be disqualified). The winners will be randomly chosen and notified by email. The competition will close at 12pm on Friday 24 May. Good luck!

Highlights from the Feast-ival of Food

• The hugely popular Bord Bia Food Village will once again offer visitors the opportunity to sample some of the finest artisan foods produced around the country.
• At the Bord Bia Quality Kitchen stage, some of Ireland’s best loved chefs with live cooking demonstrations including Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio, Martin Shanahan and Donal Skehan, among others. The events will be hosted by TV presenter and well known foodie, Ella McSweeney who will also interview food producers throughout the weekend.
• Fans of craft beer and whiskey will enjoy a visit to the ‘Bloom Inn’ while Bloom will also host the Irish Cheese Awards for the first time this year.
• Ireland’s food and drink industry is on a sustainability journey through the Origin Green development programme that aims to demonstrate the commitment of the sector. This journey will be explained in Bord Bia’s Food Village using interactive features allowing visitors to discover what it means for them.
• The ‘Horticulture for Health and Wellness’ exhibit located beside the fruit and vegetable market will demonstrate to the public, how important horticultural produce is, in a very practical way, to health and wellness in our everyday lives.
• Bloom Farmyard will feature dairy cows being milked each morning and evening, a beef cow and her calf, sheep and lambs, pigs and chickens. Visitors will have the opportunity to ‘meet the farmer’, with several producers on hand throughout the weekend.

Don’t forget, Bloom is a family event, kids go free and there will be a variety of entertainment options for all the family to enjoy including music, Budding Bloomers, a dedicated children’s play zone, with games and activities, craft workshops and a picnic area. The picnic area surrounding the Main Stage promises to be a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment with various musical artists entertaining visitors from mid-morning to late afternoon, for the duration of Bloom.

Tickets are on sale now at www.bloominthepark.com. Follow Bloom 2013 on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bloominthepark or join the conversation on Twitter, www.twitter.com/bloominthepark or #Bloom.

The target audience is food professionals in general, with a particular focus on delicatessen staff – but chefs, restaurateurs, café owners, writers, bloggers, culinary students etc are all welcome. The masterclasses will include a comparative tasting of various aged Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, along with serving and wine pairing suggestions.

See below for further information on the background of the campaign.

To register for these free events, please email Aoife on , with the subject line ‘DTO Masterclass’, and indicate how many places you wish to reserve. Please include a daytime contact telephone number. Please note that spaces are limited.

***Discover the Origin invite you to taste the provenance of Parma ham & Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese***

Discover the Origin returns in 2013 with a series of masterclasses offering the delicatessen trade the chance to taste and learn more about these two historic European food products, both of which enjoy PDO status.

The masterclasses will include a comparative tasting of various aged Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, along with serving and wine pairing suggestions, and will arm deli staff with the information needed to help sell these unique and fully traceable products. The event is also an opportunity for some informal industry networking, with all food professionals welcome.

Discover the Origin is financed with aid from the European Union, Italy, France and Portugal to promote five key European products: Bourgogne Wines, Parma Ham, Douro Wines, Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese and Port.

The campaign aims to enhance knowledge of the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) scheme among consumers, distributors and food professionals across the UK and Ireland; to educate on the benefits of provenance indicator schemes and the relevant checks, controls and traceability systems that are put in place to ensure ongoing quality; and to differentiate the products and raise their profiles.

The masterclasses will be presented by food and wine writer Aoife Carrigy in Dublin city centre at the following dates

Dublin: Monday 20th May, 7pm–8.30pm, Alexander Hotel, Dublin 2
Dublin: Monday 9th September, 7pm–8.30pm, Alexander Hotel, Dublin 2

To register for these free events, please email Aoife on , with the subject line ‘DTO Masterclass’, and indicate how many places you wish to reserve. Please include a daytime contact telephone number. Please note that spaces are limited.

To find out more about Discover the Origin, log onto www.discovertheorigin.co.uk or follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.com/DiscoverOrigin.

CountyBakerMom shares Joice’s cooking and baking adventures.

The Paleo Meal Deliveries blog talks about meal plans for various fitness goals, whether they be for endurance, muscle gain, weight loss, aesthetic or disease prevention.

Gastro Atmosphere is written by a young Polish couple couple with a passion for cooking, creating and connecting.

Mama Yoc’s Kitchen  is where vegetarian, usually vegan, recipes and photos are created (and sometimes butchered).

If you are an Irish or Ireland-based food blogger and would like to be added to the blogroll, please email us at  with a link AND one line describing what your blog is about.

Cooking with Mr Fitz is a collection of food journeys and experiences from an Irishman abroad.

Jette is blogging about healthy, local and seasonal produce being turned into delicious recipes for your enjoyment at Wood and Chocolate.

Natural Maria features Spanish food for Irish people: easy recipes from Spain and other countries as well as food for parties, babies, international and traditional.

Rachel, a fifth year student, blogs at Little Muffin Blog – your one destination for all things sweet.

Rory grows seasonal vegetables and salad greens entirely free from chemicals and pesticides in North County Cork and promotes healthy eating on the Kildinan Farm blog by sharing recipes featuring produce from the farm and by highlighting interesting books and other websites.

Bill writes fresh content on topics related to Irish food and drinks on his Irish American business’s blog, IrishHotSauce.com.

The itradein blog focuses on business and trade for the food and drinks industry, identifying trading opportunities and business connections for Irish SMEs in export markets.

If you are an Irish or Ireland-based food blogger and would like to be added to the blogroll, please email us at with a link AND one line describing what your blog is about.

The event will take place on Friday, 3 May, at Ballymaloe House Hotel in East Cork and features an incredible line up of contributors, including food writers Alice Waters (update: her appearance has been cancelled due to the fire at Chez Panisse), Stephanie Alexander and Camilla Plum and investigative journalist Joanna Blythman. This is an opportunity to listen, learn and contribute to what is being discussed on the day. More details, including information on booking and payment, are included below.

THE FOOD SUMMER SCHOOL
MAY 3RD 2013 (Limited spaces available)
BALLYMALOE HOUSE HOTEL, SHANAGARRY, CO. CORK

THE FUTURE IS FOOD/A DAY OF DEBATE AND INSPIRATION

THE TASTE COUNCIL, HOSTS THE THIRD NATIONAL FOOD SYMPOSIUM CONCERNING THE CURRENT AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ARTISAN AND THE SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCER TO THE IRISH ECONOMY.

This years Summer School is fully dedicated to examining education regarding our Irish Foods at second level and university level. For these, are our next generation of food producers and food consumers not just for The IFBA, but also for Brand Ireland.

The Council wishes that participation should be as broad as possible and understands the desire that particular IFBA Members would like to be involved with the debates. The TASTE Council has put together an impressive Panel in order to assist with this examination (see PDF Link below).

The Council places huge value on the input from the Summer School Delegates, none more so, than Members of The Irish Food Bloggers Association, given this years Symposium on Food Education.

Alice Waters, Chez Panisse Restaurant California, International Vice President of Slow Food, The Chez Panisse Foundation, The US Edible School Yard Programme, author and International food educator is just one Presenter that feels it is important to assist The TASTE Council of Ireland with this initiative

THE FOOD SUMMER SCHOOL, MAY 3RD 2013

FEATURING – ALICE WATERS, STEPHANIE ALEXANDER AND MANY MORE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRESENTERS

Because as we all know…the next generation is our future and the future is food.

Click here to view the Panel, Presenters and Chair

Thanking you,
The TASTE Council of Ireland,
Evan Doyle,
Kevin Sheridan,
Darina Allen,
Hugo Arnold,
James Burke,
Birgitta Hedin-Curtin,
Sarah Furno,
Ed Hick,
Michael Kelly,
Domini Kemp,
Alan Kingston,
Ross Lewis,
Cáit Noone,
Raymond O’Rourke,
Peter Ward,
Caroline Byrne,
Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith,
Fiona Lavery,
Robert Ditty,
Peter Young

The TASTE Council of Ireland is concerned with the Artisan and the promotion of artisan foods through SMEs. All members give their time voluntarily to this remit and The Summer School presents an annual opportunity to discuss and debate on the floor, current agendas.

The TASTE Council is delighted to announce that it has secured a Daily Delegate Rate of €45 plus VAT. Through its support, The Council can also offer a special dinner of key-themed artisan products in Ballymaloe for an additional €35 plus VAT, including wine and refreshments.

The Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine is coinciding with The Summer School and The Council has also secured a Delegate discount of 15% on activities.

Further details please contact Linda Cullen at linda.

For registration and Daily Delegate Rate only, click here

For registration and Daily Delegate Rate incl. dinner, click here

At Not Only Muffins, Monika blogs as many varieties of muffin and cupcake recipes as possible – more than 180 recipes for muffins/cupcakes so far!

Conor’s Nurish Blog is all about making healthy eating easy by sharing information about nutrition and healthy eating so people can educate themselves and make better decisions.

At Married with Cauldron, Mom bakes, Dad hunts and kids eat. Oh, and Dog eats too.

Elaine is currently living and working as a chalet chef in the French Alps and has started a new blog, A Lane to a Road, documenting her experience and posting lots of her own recipes and food photography.

Christina’s Food Tales is Christina’s thoughts on all things food related and her attempts at eating better to make the planet and herself healthier.

Julie Hyde‘s blog is about eatin’ and livin’ a vegetarian lifestyle!

Amy blogs at at The Edible Craft, where she shares a little of her day with you through what she has been cooking, baking and eating, as well as some other interesting tidbits along the way too.

At Eat Like an Actress, Naomi tells you the truth about how to eat and look like a star without fad diets or plastic surgery – all her recipes are gluten free and mostly dairy free and everything is based around a holistic approach to health.

If you are an Irish or Ireland-based food blogger and would like to be added to the blogroll, please email us at with a link AND one line describing what your blog is about.

Helen has just started out as a nutritional therapist and will be blogging about tips for healthy eating at Food Hugs.

Laura writes about shopping, cooking and living with dairy free kids at the blog of the same name: Dairy Free Kids.

Susan Jane White’s blog is a wheat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free zone.

At Sheep’s Head Food Company, Ralph blogs from Birkenhead but writes about food from The Sheep’s Head and, amongst other things, the catching and eating of good mackerel.

If you are an Irish or Ireland-based food blogger and would like to be added to the blogroll, please email us at with a link AND one line describing what your blog is about.

Martin and his wife and business partner, Tracy, had been successfully growing and selling vegetables for over 25 years. Martin himself is a fifth-generation farmer and now Mash Direct is a family business, employing Martin, Tracy and their two sons. Using heirloom vegetable varieties grown for taste, not appearance, they developed a small plant on the farm to recreate a traditional cooking style. All Mash Direct vegetables are steam cooked and packaged right on the farm. Most of the veg are from the Hamiltons’ own farm, but what they can’t produce themselves, they buy locally from neighbouring farms. Vegetables that were picked in the fields at 5 a.m. can be cooked, packaged and loaded onto the lorry by 11 a.m. The Mash Direct products are often fresher than the fresh veg in the produce section.

To learn more about Mash Direct, check out these blog posts from The Daily Spud, Cakes and Bakes NI and The World of Kitsch.

We have a hamper full of Mash Direct products to give away! To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post (one comment only, please – multiple entries will be disqualified). The hamper can only be delivered within the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. The winner will be randomly chosen and notified by email. The competition will close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 19 March 2013. Good luck!

Adrian has worked in some of the best restaurants in Ireland and shares his knowledge of cooking and new ideas through his blog, Cook with Aidy.

Michelle, originally from Waterford but living in Portugal, invites you to explore Portugal season by season with her on her blog, where she’ll be sharing her small garden where she grow everything in pots, recipes from her kitchen, which are inspired by seasonal produce, and more about life in Portugal at Portugal Season by Season.

At Kitchen Kamikaze, Laura writes the chronicles of her long-suffering kitchen and her haphazard attempts at making food, dining out, gardening, foraging, saving and travelling the world outside of Louth.

Paula writes about all things food at Yummmmyy.

If you are an Irish or Ireland-based food blogger and would like to be added to the blogroll, please email us at with a link AND one line describing what your blog is about.