Savour Kilkenny 2015 _ eat/go

A return trip to Kilkenny has long been on the cards. It's been a long time since I was a kid - back when you would get lost around the place with a map.. not google maps. Back when the Kilkenny parade was filled with just parked cars. It's been a while, a long while.

Nothing beats a trip down memory lane.

Except for perhaps stumbling across a whole food festival down the parade.

Savour Kilkenny, now in its 9th year, is a food festival packed with a program of foodie events across the city. During the weekend of festival, the parade walk stretch is filled with various quality vendors and classy artisan produce. Dubbed the 'Savour Marketplace', the parade showcases a wonderful pick 'n' mix of food cooked and served to order - from sizzling Argentinian steaks to local Piedmontese beef, from craft beers on tap to specially selected wine and whiskeys - we're talking global favorites mixing it with the best of local produce.

There was a slight breeze in the air when I arrived at the market, meaning only one thing - find a warming cup of coffee, pronto. Right at the base of the parade was a neat stall crowded by a decent queue and decked out with a pretty hefty coffee maker. Boutique coffee roasters 'Badger & Dodo' had a selection of roasts brewed freshly and packets of their beans to takeaway. A simple Americano order fitted the bill for me; instantly warming my hands, the first taste was smooth and refreshing with a real depth of flavour. There's something to be said about the care and quality of Irish coffee brewers making a name for themselves these days.

The whole parade was a buzz with people young and old, not to mention the odd pup or two on the look out for some foodie scraps. The mix of endless food stalls with the backdrop of the castle ensured everyone was kept amused. Cooking demonstrations, baking competitions and live bands supplemented all the food on offer. Despite it being fairly early in the day, the craft beer tent was receiving plenty of attention and simply added to the cheerful atmosphere going around. With the cool breeze of autumn blowing and castle gates surrounded by hallowe'en pumpkins, nothing was going to cool the lively spirits.

It was nearing midday as I wondered along through the crowds - lunchtime. Granted I already have a problem with commitment anyway, the array of choice on offer was not making the decision on what to eat any easier. Having walked up and back down the parade, surveying, one particular pitch caught my eye - a massive flaming barbeque grill loaded with burger patties, smoking up the parade - of course, carnivore mode engaged.

'Bad Boys BBQ', hailing from Cork, kept it simple with three things on the menu - 8oz chargrilled beef burger, 8oz pulled pork sandwich, & meat salad ("gluten free"). The chargrilled beef burger was exactly what it said, none of this complicated burger business. A lightly toasted bun, filled with a chunky-sized patty, usual salad leaves and token pickle - quality lean meat yet marinated and grilled with a smokey flavour. The meat salad was a simple tray packed with succulent pulled pork and a mixed salad. No frills, no spills, done properly and done well.

There was something for everyone at Savour Kilkenny - cupcakes and crepes for the kids to posh nosh for the parents. Nothing quite beats dozens of people coming together to celebrate, share, and of course indulge, in great food. I would highly recommend a trip down to Kilkenny next year to experience the event whether it be during the week long festivities or just to taste your way through the banquet-esque parade. Cheers Kilkenny and here's to 2016.

#kilkenny #go #eat #savourkilkenny #food #badgerdodo #coffee #badboysbbq