Out and about: the launch of the DublinTown Food and Drink Festival at Bewley’s Grafton Street

VIPs and foodies braved the harsh weather last night to gather in Bewley’s on Grafton Street for the launch of the DublinTown Food and Drink Festival, which runs October 14-20.

Chef Andrew Rudd, owner of Medley, hosted the event, which saw guests treated to welcome and après dinner cocktails created by House Dublin, wine pairings from The Corkscrew Wine Merchants and a five-course feast, including a black bean and quinoa burger cooked up by Lorraine and Pamela Fitzmaurice of Blazing Salads; wild game terrine prepared by Neil Magee of 101 Talbot; prawn potstickers created by Jules Mak of Zozimus and Mak at D6; seared rump of Stanley Irish lamb from Pallas Foods; and a Coco Pops French toasty whipped up by Temple Garner of San Lorenzo’s; all finished off with Bewley’s signature coffee with blackcurrant, lemon and milk chocolate flavours served with their famous carrot cake.

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The seven-day festival offers diners the opportunity to sample the city’s finest eateries and avail of exclusive events and experiences. Restaurants, cafés and bars across the city will participate in the weeklong festival, creating an array of one-off experiences for all to enjoy, with prices to suit all budgets, as well as a host of free activities. DublinTown Food and Drink Festival experiences have been specially created by the world-class chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders and baristas of the city, which spans small independent restaurants to five-star hotels.

A number of key events to watch out for over the week include…

Discover Distilleries on Our Doorstep presented by Balfes
Balfes at The Westbury has partnered with four Dublin-based distilleries to offer the ultimate whiskey tasting experience and showcase the process of tasting whiskey. Along with Roe & Co Whiskey, Pearse Lyons, Teeling Whiskey and the Dublin Liberties Distillery, Balfes will host a three-course whiskey tasting menu on Tuesday, October 15 with tickets costing €50.

Try 10 Weird Foods to Eat Before You Die at Asia Market, Drury Street
On Thursday, October 17, the Asia Market will play host to adventure-seeking food enthusiasts inviting customers to try 10 Weird Foods to Eat Before You Die, including dishes such as Japanese eel, a thousand-year-old century egg and durian, also known as the world’s smelliest fruit. Tickets cost €40 and the event kicks off at 6pm. 

Dumpling Making Workshop at The Vintage Teapot
Dublin’s most authentic Chinese Teahouse has curated a special afternoon experience for the festival and will host a dumpling making and tasting workshop on Sunday, October 20 at 2.30pm. Experts from M&L Chinese Restaurant will teach you their secrets to making delicious dumplings in five popular flavours – pork, beef, fried pork, chicken and vegetable. Tickets are €30.

For further information on each of the exclusive experiences taking place and to book event tickets, visit foodanddrinkfest.ie.

Photographs by Andres Poveda