The Curragh Racecourse will turn into a foodie heaven alongside the Autumn Festival of Racing (24-25th September).
Racegoers will be offered the opportunity to taste some of the county’s best food as part of Taste of Kildare, being run by run by Into Kildare, the tourism body for County Kildare.
There will be an eclectic mix of well-known Kildare chefs, restaurants, food producers and artisan food innovators on hand to showcase their produce.
The two-day event will allow racegoers the chance to sample dishes from restaurants and hospitality outlets including, Killashee Hotel, Barberstown Castle, Fallon’s of Kilcullen and Harte’s of Kildare among many more.
The first day of Taste of Kildare, Saturday 24th of September will run on the same day as the prestigious Goffs Millions, Europe’s richest race for two-year-olds. It will be themed ‘Born and Bred in Kildare’ and will feature food stands and food trucks that will showcase the best locally produced products.
Day two of the festival will run on The Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch race day, Sunday, 25th of September. The premier Leger Suite will be the scene for a magnificent culinary experience. Guests can enjoy a truly memorable lunch as seven of Co. Kildare’s best-known restaurants lay on a 7-course tasting menu.
Each of the dishes will reflect the personality and style of the food outlet and will offer guests the chance to sample dishes created by multi award-winning chefs. Located on the 3rd floor of the iconic Aga Khan Grandstand, The Leger Suite enjoys superb views of the parade ring, finish line and panoramic views across the Curragh track and famous Curragh plains.
“We are really looking forward to the return of the Taste of Kildare as a live event this year,” said Into Kildare CEO Áine Mangan.
“After two years of various lockdowns and restrictions, it’s wonderful for people to have the chance to gather again and to enjoy delicious food and drink. Into Kildare is delighted to support local food and hospitality outlets by staging and promoting this event which aligns with our Thoroughbred County Tourism Destination plans.”
“37 per cent of the overall visitor spend in Ireland is on food and drink and we are very lucky in this county to have so many great restaurants and hospitality providers for both our domestic and international visitors to enjoy. Kildare has multiple award-winning restaurants, various microbreweries, several cookery schools, traditional cheese makers, elegant cocktail bars, lively traditional pubs, and some of the best gastro pubs in the country. The event will offer local restaurants, hotels, and food producers a great opportunity to showcase their products and services to a large audience and will offer them a chance to promote their brand to an engaged clientele.”
Taste of Kildare is being sponsored by the Kildare Local Enterprise Office (LEO) who are a major supporter of the food and drink industry in County Kildare.
“Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office are delighted to support Taste of Kildare 2022,” said Jacqui McNab.
“Through our Flavours of Kildare Network, we are very focused on helping small and medium-sized food businesses to reach their full potential. Taste of Kildare is firmly aligned with our Kildare 2025 Economic Development strategy to support, promote, mentor, and assist food businesses and producers to reach their goals and grow their businesses.”
“Taste of Kildare will be a wonderful addition to our Autumn Festival of Racing,” said Brian Kavanagh, CEO of the Curragh Racecourse.
“Racegoers will have the chance to see some of the world’s best thoroughbreds in action on the track while also having the opportunity to sample some of the best cuisines in the county. The weekend features two premier race days The Goffs Million taking place on Day 1 and the Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch as the feature on Day 2, the most valuable race over two miles in Europe. We look forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be an unmissable weekend in Kildare of great racing, fun and delicious food.”
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