Offaly’s ice cream to be showcased at Bite Food Festival
An Offaly producer who swapped a 20-year career as an agricultural advisor for ice-cream beloved by Jamie Oliver, will be showcased at the first annual Bite Food Festival in the RDS, from November 19-22.
Banagher-based James Kirwan’s premier ice-cream will be one of the country’s top artisan producers featured at the major new food festival, which is expected to attract over 20,000 Irish food and drink lovers.
James Kirwan who will display his new range of premier ice-cream at the first annual Bite Food Festival in Dublin’s RDS from November 19-22.
Bite 2015 will feature top chefs and food experts as well as a huge range of producers, who are there to sell, sample and educate people about their unique products.
A must for food lovers, Bite 2015 will also feature tastings and demonstrations from chefs such as Donal Skehan and Domini Kemp as well as free cooking classes led by Lynda Booth of the Dublin Cookery School for adults and children alike.
James bought the already established Gathabawn ice-cream about a year ago and is about to relaunch the brand as Cul Cow.
“My background is in agricultural consultancy but I’ve been researching ice-cream for quite a while as I wanted to diversify on the farm,” he said
“I have a specially-built kitchen where we make 35 flavours of ice-cream and some sorbets and we make small batches of ice-cream which means we can make unique flavours to satisfy any consumer demands.”
At present, a number of restaurants in Athlone and Dublin stock his ice-cream which is made from free-range eggs and milk from a neighbouring farm.
“We’re about to launch our online business which will offer customers a personalised tub for any occasion.
“We will then courier them to any home and office in insulated boxes and dry ice which will keep the ice-cream from melting for up to 48 hours,” he added.
Presented by the organisers of the National Crafts and Design Fair, in association with Spar and Eurospar, the Festival promises to be Ireland’s first and foremost interactive food festival, with attractions for all the family.
“Bite 2015 is aimed at promoting Ireland’s vastly expanding artisan food and craft drinks sector, letting people with an interest in food experience just how much quality that we have in the field to the plate industry,” said festival organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.
“We will have Ireland’s tallest chocolate sculpture, the country’s smallest distillery, traditional foods with a contemporary twist, organic products and much more – a range of quality exhibitors that will provide a full day out to even the most knowledgeable foodie.
“Every stand at Bite 2015 will feature quality products with unique stories behind them – encapsulating a rapidly-growing industry.”
Bite 2015 takes place at the RDS Main Hall from November 19-22. Full details and booking can be found at www.bitefoodfestival.ie
