More than 50 of the biggest international and national names in gastronomy will be in Galway next week for the second ever Food on the Edge Symposium, organised by JP McMahon of Galway’s award-winning Aniar Restaurant.
They will speak to an audience of some 500 people daily at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre, the venue for this year’s event, which will also feature debates and discussions around the future of food.
Those taking part include groundbreaking chef Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana, Italy, rated as number one this year on the prestigious San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. During the Rio Olympics in August, Bottura co-founded Refettorio Gastromotiva, a community kitchen that took surplus food and created healthy, tasty meals for those in need. At Food On The Edge, he will speak on the topic, Cooking Is A Call To Act.
“There is no doubt that Food On The Edge is helping to change international perceptions of Ireland’s food while also raising the gastronomic profile of Galway, the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland on a global scale,” according to John Mulcahy, Head of Food Tourism for Fáilte Ireland. “Ireland’s food movement is coming of age, and this is evident in the current levels of activity relating to food, and the interest around local food and traditions. There is much to be proud of, and Food On The Edge is symptomatic of that. In Fáilte Ireland, we are delighted, not only to support this important symposium for a second year, but also to welcome all of the symposiasts, many of whom are visiting Galway or Ireland for the first time.”
A young Galway chef who has been making his mark in the UK, Evan O’Ceallaigh will speak on the topic On A New Culture of Chef, while Connemara-based chef Cliodhna Prendergast will discuss Food, Kids and Community.
Panel discussions will also take place, including one on the topic of the Future of Irish Food with Michelin-starred Belfast-based chef Danni Barry; award-winning London Irish restaurateur Robin Gill; winner of the Great British Menu 2013 Raymond McArdle and sea-vegetable advocate and medical doctor Prannie Rhatigan. International delegates will debate the Future of Canadian Food as well as the Future of Australian Food.
Chefs and food experts at this year’s symposium will come from countries including Peru, California, New York City, the Middle East, the Philippines, Moscow, Scandinavia, Paris, Barcelona, the Netherlands and Germany.
“Last year’s symposium was a huge success, contributing over €500,000 to the local economy,” says Food on the Edge Director, JP McMahon. “This year aims to build upon that and shine an international light on our wonderful Irish produce. I believe the future is bright for Irish food.”
A Wild Atlantic Way Artisan Food Village will showcase 60 Irish food producers, and it will take up residence at the front of the Town Hall Theatre on Courthouse Square for the duration of the symposium.
Following the two-day long symposium, speakers will be taken on a special Food On The Edge excursion to Cong Village next Wednesday, which is hosted by Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle. where they will get to sample the best local produce from this part of the 2018 European Region of Gastronomy.
A limited number of tickets for Food On The Edge are available via the website.
