Food is as much a part of culture as music and art. While it always has been, recently, it has been coming into its own. A whole festival experience is not complete without food and drink.

All Together Now teamed up with Food Writer Joe McNamee to concoct a two-day extravaganza of food-themed events, demos, cooking competitions, tastings, workshops, debates and, at times, downright madness, featuring some of Ireland’s food people.

Here are our top five don’t miss events.

05
Natural Born Killers

There is a natty wine bro in all of us. So unleash yours with some tasty knowledge and samples at this celebration of the Irish Natural Wine Scene. I expect there’ll be some pretty sturdy Irish cheese somewhere too.

04
Food Quiz

The Grub Circus Food Quiz will be hilarious and entertaining. They get two teams of Irish food experts, captained by TV Chef Paul Flynn and food writer Niamh’ Eat Like a Girl’ Shields, with questions set by The Greedy Couple (The Irish Times). Both teams compete for top prizes on behalf of their audience member teammate. If you’re imagining the big fat quiz of the year but make it food, then you’re on the right track. We are all about it

03
Whiskey Galore

Whiskey Galore is a flagship event that salutes the global resurgence of Irish whiskey with a mass whiskey tasting and a distiller’s dream panel, including Jameson Whiskey, Teeling’s Whiskey, Waterford Whiskey, Method & Madness (Midleton Distillery), Tipperary Distillery and Blackwater Distillery. Hosted by Seaneen O’Sullivan (L. Mulligan Grocer), this is sure to be a vibrant event where you might learn a thing or two to flex in the pub, and you’ll likely get to taste a little something special. All in!

02
Dumplin Making

Because you can’t bate a legacy recipe from a granny Michelin-starred chef Kevin Thornton is taught to make authentic dumplings by an 80-year-old Chinese grandmother. It also features Lilly Ramirez-Foran talking all things Tacos and a Ukrainian borscht masterclass. Authentic food at a music festival is something you’d regret missing out on.

01
Guinness Brewers Yard

BASTE has hit the road, and ahead of their Big Grill showcase, they’re setting up camp at The Guinness Brewers Yard at All Together Now to create an immersive live-fire cooking experience. Expect only dishes prepared over fire and Teddy’s 99s. What more could you want this weekend?  

Elsewhere on CHAR: How To Drink Festival Edition