HARVEST KITCHEN STAGE
FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
WELCOME TO THE HARVEST KITCHEN
10:00 - 11:50
A short warm welcome and introduction to the festival demo stage with Culinary Director Keith Boyle, David Gilmore and Benny Ennis
ALEX DE COSTA
“Tiramisu De Costa Family”
12:25 - 13:00
A Taste of Rome in Waterford, Come watch Alex de Costa as he celebrates Roma Cuisine. After last years exceptional demo, Alex will talk us through what makes real Italian food some of the best on the planet, and why we shouldn’t have pineapple on pizza.
WAYNE & KRISZTINA, THE OLIVE CAFE
13:15 - 14:00
Come say hello to Wayne and Krisztina from the Olive Café right on our doorstep. Hear first hand their journey from foodtruck to permanent premises, their rise on social media and now undoubtedly the home of Waterfords Best Breakfast.
THUANAY & JOSEPH, GRILL MINAS HOUSE
14:15 - 15:00
A Warm Waterford Welcome to Thuanay and Jospeh from Grill Minas House on Manor Street. As Owners of Waterford’s first Brazilian Restaurant they will prepare some of Brazils most loved dishes, share their story behind their journey to Waterford and talk about how the city has embraced Brazilian food
BATTLE OF THE BRAZILS
15:15 - 16:00
Chef and Social Media Star Eimear Brazil will take on Waterford’s First Lady Marie Brazil in a cook off like no other. Will Eimear’s culinary skills overcome the challenge, or will Marie pull off an upset and win? Who will be crowned the 2026 Battle of the Brazils Champion. Come along and see
KAMILA & MICHAL, MOMO RESTAURANT
16:15 - 17:00
Celebrating 10 years of Michal as Head Chef, Kamila will talk about all things MOMO, how the restaurant has gone from strength to strength, from humble starts to being a matriarch of Waterford’s restaurant scene while Michal fills us in on how he keeps things relevant in the kitchen and how his food evolves every year.
FROM THE MIDDLE EAST TO THE SUNNY SOUTH EAST
DVIR AND NICOLA, MEZZE RESTAURANT , TRAMORE
17:15 - 18:00
Come join us to celebrate the flavors , tastes and ingredients of the Middle East that has customers lining the streets to Dvir and Nicolas restaurant in Tramore. Discover the story of their remarkable rise from pop up tent at Harvest Fest to one of the South Easts’ most celebrated restaurants, their cookbook success and the passion that has made Middle Eastern cuisine a favourite among food lovers.
THE BIG BLAA CHALLENGE
18:15 - 18:45
One of Waterfords most famous competitions is back and this year even better. We want to test your Blaa Eating Skills. We all talk about how much we love our famous Blaa but can you put your mouth where your money is? 15 mins on the clock, as many Tayto Blaas as you can eat, But no water. Who can eat the most?
MUTTON DRESSED AS LAMB
BUTCHERY AND COOKERY DEMONSTRATION
EIMEAR BRAZIL & JON TOY
19:00 - 20:00
To close the Harvest Kitchen stage we have a wonderful collaboration between Chef Eimear Brazil and Master butcher Jon Toy.
Together they will champion the lesser known cuts of meat, the affordability of these cuts, what to ask your butcher for and most importantly how to cook them to get maximum flavour and beautiful presentation.
SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER
TASTE WATERFORD
11:00 - 17:00
See cooking demos, hear food stories, bag a giveaway, and enjoy delicious tastings with our members and guests – an unforgettable experience celebrating Co. Waterford’s food and drink.
FIND OUT MORE
SOMETHING FISHY
With Liam Burke and Keith Boyle
17:30 - 19:00
Local Legend Liam Burke from Billy Burkes Fish Shop on Ballybricken in Waterford joins Culinary Director Keith Boyle onstage to talk about sustainable fishing while showcasing some of the wonderful species we have here on our shores. Liam will show how to prepare each fish properly while Keith teaches some easy culinary techniques to enhance the flavours of the catch. One not to be missed
SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER
THE BIG BREAKFAST SWAP
09:30 - 11:00
Through the generosity of some of Waterfords Finest food businesses we are delighted to present this years charity event The Big Breakfast Swap. We are inviting 50 lucky guests to join us the Olive Café to avail of a complimentary breakfast blaa, but with one catch, each person must bring an item of non perishable food to swap for it. All items donated on the day will go directly to the Waterford Food Bank. This initiative is kindly sponsored by The Olive Café, Countrystyle Foods and Hickeys Bakery.
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SMOKIN SOUL & DAWN MEATS PRESENTS
KING OF THE GRILL 2026
12:00 - 17:00
Live Fire, Smoke, Prime Meat and 4 very talented Backyard BBQ Enthusiasts. This is the competition we have all been waiting for.
The 2026 Harvest Fest King of The Grill. 4 of the counties best backyard pit masters battle it out under the watchful eye of Pat and Jim from Smokin Soul to be crowned this years BBQ champion.
Expect low and slow perfecion, mouth-watering aromas and some serious flames all live in John Roberts Square. Who will take the crown?
DAVID AND SILVIA FOSKIN, SUNNY SOUTH YEAST BAKERY
13:00 - 13:45
Always a festival favourite. The power couple behind the amazing Sunny South Yeast Bakery on Barrack Street will be showcasing why their small bakery is a big hit with the locals. They will talk all things sourdough and tell why the vanilla slice is never coming off the menu.
HARVEST FESTIVAL JUNIOR MASTERCHEF
14:00 - 15:00
Kindly sponsored by ElectroCity Waterford and Kenwoods, The Harvest Festival Junior Masterchef Competition is back again this year after the huge success of last year. We will again see 2 local budding chefs cook off against each other under the watchful eyes of chefs Luis Martin and Jp McMahon. Who takes the title this year.
MICHELIN MAGIC WITH JP McMAHON, ANIAR, GALWAY
15:15 - 16:00
We are beyond honoured to have restaurateur, author and one of Irelands most influential chefs JP McMahon from the Michelin Starred restaurant Aniar in Galway join us for this years Harvest Festival. JP has spent years championing Irish food and ingredients but is also the founder of internationally renowned Food on the Edge symposium.
LUIS MARTIN, MARA
16:15 - 17:00
Local Legend Luis Martin joins us again this year to celebrate his Michelin recommended restaurant MARA. Luis will tell us about his Santander roots, his love for Irish products and what its like to be one of only 2 restaurants in the city to be recognised by Michelin.
THE BLIIND BLAA CHALLENGE
17:30 - 18:00
Think you’re a Blaa Expert? Lets put your tastebuds to the test. 5 brave audience members will put on their blindfolds and try guess, What’s in the Blaa. No peeking just tasting. Can you do it?
THOMAS BEAGAINS, BEAGAINS BAKERY
18:15 - 19:00
Winner of last years Junior Masterchef Competition Tomas Beagain. Tomas will tell us about how his year has been, from his interviews with WLR and being voted for Empowering Young Voices. While also treating us to a demo of his famous baking skills. We are beyond proud to see his career blossom and thrilled to have him back on stage.