This year’s three-day Food and Wine extravaganza kicks off at 4pm tomorrow, Friday 30th November and rolls right through until 7pm Sunday 2nd November 2012.
It promises to be a heck of a way to start the merry season of eating and drinking (my favourite pastimes!), with everything from top chef masterclasses to restaurant tastings taking place in the RDS Main Hall, Dublin.
For those wishing to learn a few tricks of the trade, there are onstage demonstrations with everyone from (the deliciously glamorous) Catherine Fulvio to the (ever youthful) Donal Skehan.
If you want a more intimate learning experience, there are a variety of 30 minute masterclasses (they seat 50 people and are offered on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t dilly-dally at the mulled wine stall!).
I’ve got my eye on the Italian Pasta Making class at 2pm on Saturday the 1st – I haven’t dared touch the pasta making machine since pastagate last year!
Also, @A_Caviston of Cavistons Fishmongers in Greystones are appealing for any special requests for their masterclass – I was taught to shuck oysters last year and have never looked back, could be a good skill to request!
With plenty of retail stalls available, it might be an easy and enjoyable way to pick up some Christmas stocking-fillers well in advance for the foodie fanatics in your life. Choose from gourmet treats at the artisan producer tents or festival-only offers from a variety of Ireland’s leadingfood retailers.
If you want to make it a family affair, under twelves go free, and they can visit Santa in a winter wonderland. They can also get their little hands dirty by giving Vanessa Greenwood of the Cooks Academy a hand helping her make Christmas gingerbread decorations on stage. I think this is a lovely idea to help show children the joy of cooking, and the fun they can have with ingredients.
For the hungry foodie, (or hungry boyfriend, in my case) beer and wine tastings will be offered by artisan producers, top restaurants and many more. Swanning about the RDS sampling the best food and wine Ireland can offer sounds like just the thing to add some warmth to this absolutely freezing week we’ve been having!
Best of all? Tickets are half price through Living Social, at just €10 for one, or €19 for two. Click here and remember you only have about 15 hours (at the last count!) to avail of this offer.
If you’re a Twitterererer follow @foodandwinemag, Ross Golden-Bannon (the ed and host) on @Goldenshots or the hashtag #FWSHOWRDS for the inside track.
Images pilfered from here.