Inspiring the next generation to appreciate and learn about Kinsale’s unique and world-renowned food culture is the main focus of Kinsale’s newest festival, Kinsale Kids Kitchen Takeover! Children and young adults will don aprons and work in some of the town’s most prestigious restaurant kitchens from Monday the 11th of November to Friday November 15th as part of the latest initiative from Kinsale Good Food Circle.
Aiming to encourage future generations of chefs and food producers, primary and secondary school students will hear about how our food is sourced, prepared and cooked before getting a chance to create their own menu for family and friends - all while under the supervision and guidance of some of Kinsale’s finest cooking talents.
Many of the biggest names in Ireland’s food industry will also lend their time and support to the event through a series of morning workshops, guest lectures and afternoon immersion sessions at the state of the art facilities as Kinsale Community School as well as various Restaurants and Hotels across Kinsale. Guest speakers and demonstrations from Kinsale’s newest Michelin Star Chef Paul MacDonald, Irish Michelin star Chef Ross Lewis from the famous Chapter One Restaurant in Dublin, leading seafood chef Martin Shanahan, Kinsale Chef Pearse O’Sullivan and nutritionist Shonagh Harper. Karl Henry from RTE’s Operation Transformation and Munster player, Johnny Holland, are just two of the panelists will speak to students at Kinsale Community School.
Students will hear from local food producers, nutritionists, historians and a number of chefs about the history and tradition of food in the Kinsale area and what world class produce on their doorstep and how it has shaped our food heritage. Planned activities include on-site visits and lecturers from producers, farmers and fishermen as well as insights into our carbon footprint and sustainable food choices from Madeleine Murray and Dr. Tara Shine of Plastic Free Kinsale on making the right choices and our impact on our oceans and environment.
Each evening the Kids Takeover and the students will be introduced to the buzz and energy of a busy working kitchen through the involvement of Kinsale’s Good Food Circle restaurants. Groups will work with chefs and their team to create their own menu using ingredients gathered throughout the day. The cooking experience will also provide a new and better understanding of the food industry, the people involved in it and get to see what happens behind the scenes of some of the most well known food establishments in the country. Children from St. Multose will takeover the Blue Haven kitchen on Monday, while Actons is the venue for Gael Scoil pupils on Tuesday. Fishy Fishy will be allowing ten pupils from Summercove to work in their kitchen on Wednesday, Man Friday will is the venue for the Scoil Naomh Eltin pupils on Thursday and finally, Jim Edwards take ten pupils from KCS for Friday nights' takeover!
Meeting industry heroes and the people behind the food will hopefully inspire the next generation of foodies to not only make the right sustainable food choices but also gain an understanding of our food culture and spark a passion for food and creativity having seen some of the iconic masters of the industry at work. Proceeds from the Kinsale Kids Kitchen Takeover will go to Kinsale Youth Support Services.
The festival is brought to the town by The Kinsale Good Food Circle and is part of the Taste the Island Festival, a celebration of Ireland’s Food & Drink.