Savour Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s premier food festivals, returns this October bank holiday weekend from October 22nd to October 26th, 2026. At the absolute heart of the Festival Quarter on The Parade, the iconic Savour Stage and Taste Stage will host an extraordinary weekend of free-to-attend culinary demonstrations, expert talks, and a live podcast recording. The Savour and Taste stages will take place on Saturday and Sunday of the festival, bringing together Ireland’s most celebrated culinary talent, Michelin-starred chefs, artisan producers, and emerging food talents.
The epicentre of the festival action, the Savour Stage, will be expertly guided by fan-favourites Edward Hayden and Siobhan Donohoe, who will entertain crowds with their signature wit and expert insights. Saturday, October 24th highlights feature Michelin-starred talent Tom Comerford (Hunter’s Yard at Mount Juliet Estate), 2026 Irish Food Personality of the Title Eunice Power with Tesco, Asia Market Managing Director Eva Pau, Ballymaloe Co-founder Rory O’Connell with Avonmore, healthy food advocate Sophie Morris, bestselling cookbook author Sarah Butler, and award-winning pastry chef Shane Smith with Gem. Sunday, October 25th features Stephen Murphy & Aymeric Decourval (The Lady Helen at Mount Juliet), social media sensation Little Lou Cooks, renowned cook and teacher Rachel Allen, Dunbrody House Hotel proprietor Kevin Dundon with SuperValu Loughboy, social media baking star Orla Drumgoole (also known as Irish Mammy Cooks) with Gem, festival favourites Edward Hayden & Anne Neary, and zero-waste TV chef Erica Drum with Campion Insurance.
On Saturday, October 24th, during Savour the Night, where the festival quarter remains open until 9pm with support from Kilkenny’s Night-time Economy Fund, festival-goers can book tickets to attend the Podcast & Pints, a live podcast with James Kavanagh and William Murray sponsored by O’Hara’s on the Savour Stage. Tickets are €10 plus booking fee, include a pint of O’Hara’s from the Craft Brewers and Distillers marquee, pre-booking is essential.
Adding an extra layer of excitement for food lovers, the festival will host exclusive book signings at the Savour Reception located between the Savour and Taste stage entrances. Festival-goers will have the unique opportunity to meet celebrated culinary authors face-to-face, purchase signed copies directly from them, and chat about their latest releases. Featured authors hosting dedicated signings include Eunice Power with her new book My Irish Kitchen Table, Eva Pau with her debut Eva’s Asian Kitchen cookbook, Sophie Morris with her healthy eating titles including Sophie’s Swaps and Sophie Swaps Homemade Wins, Sarah Butler showcasing her popular home cooking and collection of titles such as Batch Cooking, and Orla Drumgoole (Irish Mammy Cooks) with The Irish Mammy Cooks Cookbook.
MC’d by Kilkenny native Tracie Daly, the Taste Stage shines a spotlight on rising culinary stars and local Kilkenny produce. Every participating chef is challenged to put local produce centre stage by incorporating ingredients from at least one Kilkenny food producer and sourcing a minimum of one-third of their ingredients within a 20-mile radius. Saturday highlights include organic farmer Mairéad Phelan, entrepreneur Ben Flanagan, award-winning Chilean-born chef Rodrigo Gonzalez (Tābú Tapas), Eimear Brazil (The Kitchen Shift), Alice Tevlin (RUA Foods), and Ben Davis (Butler House). Sunday highlights feature pastry innovator Mairéad Finnegan (Roll It Pastry) sharing her retail expansion blueprint alongside the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office (this is a free event but ticketed), wild food expert Thien Laitenberger, pizzaiolo Reggie White, regenerative agriculture champion Siobhán Hubbard (Newbard Farm), Michelin-star pastry chef Elizabeth Dunphy, and culinary cousins Tamsin & Scarlett Allen.
All cookery demonstrations on the Savour and Taste Stages are free to attend, with entry operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Demonstrations are very popular, and attendees are advised to arrive early to secure a good spot for their favourite chefs. Visitors can also experience the 100+ stall Savour Market, the Craft Brewers & Distillers Marquee brought to you by O’Hara’s, and the Artisan Food Pavilion right against the stunning backdrop of Kilkenny Castle. For the full festival timetable, booking tickets for exclusive dining events, and more information, visit www.savourkilkenny.com.