Cork Views: A time to celebrate food and the people of Cork

As Lord Mayor of Cork, I’m proud to see our city come alive this August 13-17 for the flavours of the Cork On A Fork festival.

Now in its fourth year, this Cork City Council festival has quickly evolved into one of Ireland’s most distinctive food events, bringing together chefs, producers, and food lovers in a celebration of everything that makes Cork’s food culture so special.

What began in 2022 as a small, post-covid recovery pilot to support local hospitality has since grown into a cornerstone of our summer calendar.

More than just a festival, Cork On A Fork is a powerful statement about who we are as a city - creative, collaborative, community-driven, and absolutely passionate about food.

From bustling street feasts to chef collaborations, food trails and tastings, the five-day festival highlights the depth and diversity of Cork’s food scene.

Whether it’s a family-run bakery that’s been serving generations, a Michelin-starred chef breaking boundaries, or new migrant food businesses enriching the cultural fabric of our city, Cork On A Fork shines a light on the people behind the produce.

As a council-led initiative, we are especially proud of this festival because it embodies something much bigger - our ambition to position Cork as Ireland’s culinary capital and a world-class food destination.

Cork has all the ingredients to realise this ambition. We have fantastic restaurants, award-winning chefs, and a food scene rooted in authenticity and innovation.

We’re home to an unrivalled natural larder, from the coastlines of West Cork to the fertile farms like Glenbrook Farm and Cork Rooftop Farm in our very own city.

Our food story is rich and diverse, shaped by local traditions, family legacies, and a new generation of chefs and producers who are championing sustainability, creativity, and global flavours.

At its heart, Cork has something few other places can claim - a deeply embedded food culture.

It’s part of our daily lives, our conversations, and our community.

From chatting with your butcher at the English Market, to picking up fresh veg at the Coal Quay on a Saturday morning, or sitting down to a bowl of something hearty with friends, food in Cork is never just about eating - it’s about connection.

That is why Cork On A Fork is not just a celebration of food - it’s a celebration of people, place, and pride.

It showcases our long-standing family businesses, new culinary talent, diverse food cultures, and the innovative spirit that defines Cork.

It’s about celebrating our food culture - and sharing it with the world.

But we’re not stopping here. Cork City Council, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and other key stakeholders, is working towards a bold, shared goal: to achieve the World Region of Gastronomy designation.

This prestigious title, awarded by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism, recognises regions that excel in linking food, culture, tourism, and sustainability.

It’s not just an accolade - it’s a platform. It would elevate Cork’s reputation on the global stage, open up new markets, and drive sustainable tourism growth through food.

It would also provide fresh opportunities for our food businesses, creatives, communities, and young people to play a role in telling Cork’s food story internationally.

Cork On a Fork offers a vibrant, fun and accessible way for visitors and locals alike to engage with our food story. And it creates a space where chefs, producers, community groups, and families come together to celebrate what unites us - the love of good food, well made, and shared together.

As Lord Mayor, I want to commend everyone who has made Cork On A Fork such a success - from the Cork City Council team leading it, to our stakeholder partners and sponsors, to the chefs, restaurants, market traders, producers, farmers and volunteers who pour their passion into every event.

This is what community-led placemaking looks like.

Together, we are building more than a festival - we are building a future. A future where Cork is recognised not just nationally, but internationally, as a thriving gastronomic region, full of flavour, talent, and welcome.

So whether you’re a visitor or a local, I invite you to join us at this year’s Cork On A Fork festival.

Come taste what makes our city so special - and be part of a journey that’s just getting started.

To see the full programme from August 13-17, visit www.corkonaforkfest.ie