Taste of Dublin is back with a bang - as the annual summer food festival is officially opened and the awards have been announced.
The crown jewel event of the Irish food enthusiasts' calendar, Taste returns to the charming surroundings of Dublin's Iveagh Gardens from June 15-18, with an eclectic mix of well-known Irish chefs, artisan food innovators and cultural food-inspired experiences.
Lovers of food, culture and fashion descended on the gardens on Thursday for the exclusive launch party in the glorious summer sunshine.
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Meanwhile, broadcaster Laura Woods and Taste of Dublin CEO Jo Mathews announced the annual Best in Taste Awards.
With everything from mouth-watering food and summer cocktails to chocolate making and disco dancing, this year's event has something for everyone.
This year's event also has a renewed focus on spotlighting the recent cultural explosion in Irish food innovation.
Well-known personalities spotted enjoying the afternoon included actress and TV presenter Caroline Morahan, who had just flown in from Los Angeles to celebrate her father's birthday. Also seen enjoying the launch festivities were Irish presenters and online personalities Louise McSharry, James Kavanagh, James Patrice and influencer and stylist Clementine MacNeice.
More than 35,000 people are expected to attend and partake in the culinary delights on offer over the weekend.
Over 10,000 glasses of champagne will be consumed, 80,000 dishes will be served and more than 50 Irish producers will feature as part of this year's festival.
Irish comedy is set to collide with the cookery world in the best possible way for this one-off culinary-inspired funny affair. The event will see Emma Doran and Killian Sundermann going head-to-head in a live cook-off in the Miele Masterclass Kitchen during the afternoon session on Thursday, June 15th at 3:45pm. The popular comics will be guided by well-known TV chef Edward Hayden, who will be on hand to oversee the creation of their culinary delights.
In an unmissable nod to noughties nostalgia, Taste of Disco with Dublin Social will return for 2023, with an iconic mixtape of throwback hits. Famous for their Disco Brunch parties, expect big tunes, live performances, and a few surprises when they take over the Social Suite.
Taste of Disco will take place during both the afternoon and evening sessions on Sunday, 18th June with tickets also including a signature dish from Taste favorite, Bahay, as well as a summer cocktail.
Returning for 2023 is the Tasting Spain gastronomic experience where visitors will be able to sample a wide variety of high-quality products from Spain, ranging from wines to olive oils, cheeses, and pastries.
This experience is a wonderful opportunity to discover the best flavors of each destination while sharing food and chatting in good company with friends or family.
This year, chefs from Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Cambrils, Zaragoza, and Mallorca will be ready to take you on a unique gastronomic journey through the regions. Given that June 16th is also World Tapas Day, there really is no better time to celebrate the culinary delights of Spain.
The new Miele Masterclass Kitchen is a must-visit with an incredible line-up of Irish and international chefs using the latest Miele appliances to create culinary masterpieces. Across the weekend, visitors can witness the finest culinary talent including Rachel Allen, Trisha Lewis, Edward Hayden, Jordan Bailey and Nico Reynolds showcasing their signature dishes and sharing their top tips and tricks. This bustling kitchen is a hive of inspiration where the audience can ignite their cooking imagination and perfect their favorite recipes while learning from the best.
The Espresso Martini has become the cocktail of choice in Ireland in recent years and this year, Roberto Garcia, beverage-making extraordinaire, will be hosting a series of Espresso Martini Masterclasses on each day of the festival. He will be providing an unmissable opportunity for guests to learn how to make and enjoy their own Perfect Espresso Martini. The best part? These masterclasses will be free to enjoy at 2pm and 3pm every day. Event goers just need to register at the Tia Maria Espresso Martini Bar upon arrival each day.
A limited number of tickets are still available from tasteofdublin.ie.
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