Wellness
August 17, 2026
Hosting Taste of Kildare 2026: Behind the Chef Stage
A weekend of brilliant chefs, live cookery, Irish produce and the people behind Kildare’s thriving food scene.
Share
There are some events where you feel the energy as soon as you arrive. Taste of Kildare 2026 was one of them.
I had the pleasure of hosting the Chef Stage across the weekend, bringing together some of Ireland’s brilliant culinary talent for a programme of live cookery, conversation and plenty of inspiration.
The stage was busy throughout, with packed demonstrations and a constant flow of people stopping to watch, learn and discover more about the chefs and dishes being brought to life in front of them.
A stage full of talent
The line-up was a real highlight, with chefs including Kevin Dundon, Philip Gleeson, Gina Daly, Adrian Martin, Maria Harte, Rob Hanlon, Graham Herterich, Eva Pau, Kwangi Chan, Joseph Perez and Ben Flanagan bringing their own style and expertise to the weekend.
From beautifully executed dishes to practical cooking tips and clever techniques, each demonstration offered something different.
I particularly loved watching the chefs cook live — seeing the pace, instinct and personality that comes with cooking in front of an audience, while hearing the stories and ideas behind the dishes.
For anyone who loves food, there is something wonderfully immediate about live cookery. You see a dish take shape, pick up a new technique and often leave with something you want to try yourself.
The joy of hosting live
Live events are where I feel most at home.
There is a particular rhythm to a busy stage. Reading the room, knowing when to keep the conversation moving, when to let a chef take the lead, and how to bring an audience into the experience without ever losing the natural flow.
For me, great hosting is about creating that connection — between the audience and the person on stage — while making the whole experience feel effortless.
It is fast-paced, unpredictable and hugely rewarding. And when you have a stage filled with talented chefs and an audience ready to engage, it is exactly the kind of environment I love.
Celebrating Kildare’s food community
Away from the stage, the weekend was a wonderful showcase of the depth of Kildare’s food community.
From exceptional Irish producers and passionate local businesses to great food, music and a brilliant festival atmosphere, there was a real sense of pride in what the county has to offer.
"There’s something very special about live hosting — the energy, the spontaneity and the connection with an audience. Taste of Kildare brought all of that together, with brilliant chefs, exceptional food and a wonderful sense of community. It was a real pleasure to be part of it."
Aisling Larkin
What stood out was the connection between people. Chefs, producers, makers, businesses and visitors all coming together around food — discovering something new, sharing ideas and championing the people behind the plate.
That is what makes festivals like Taste of Kildare so special.
A weekend to remember
A huge thank you to everyone who came along over the weekend, joined us for a demonstration, picked up a cooking tip, stopped for a chat or simply enjoyed the atmosphere.
And to the team behind Taste of Kildare, thank you for creating such a fantastic platform for the county’s chefs, producers and food businesses.
It was a privilege to host the stage and spend the weekend surrounded by such a talented food community.
A fabulous weekend of food, people and plenty of inspiration — and another reminder of why live events remain such a special part of what I do.
The Edit
Latest Articles
Wellness
The Case for an Ordinary Life
Home, Style, Wellness