Inside the Tapas Trail at Waterford Festival of Food

There is something incredibly exciting about starting with an empty room and a blank sheet of paper.

No kitchen. No restaurant. No menu. Just an idea.

As part of the 2026 Waterford Festival of Food, I had the opportunity to create and host a brand-new dining experience for the festival’s renowned Tapas Trail. The brief was simple: celebrate Irish food in a way that felt immersive, memorable and unlike anything guests had experienced before.

Within a matter of hours, an empty space was transformed into a fully functioning restaurant, welcoming more than 80 guests across two sittings for a completely sold-out evening. Every detail—from the menu and guest experience to the producers featured on each plate—was designed with one ambition in mind: to tell the story of Irish food through hospitality.

For me, the most memorable meals are never simply about what arrives on the plate.

They’re about the conversations they spark.

They are about introducing someone to a producer they’ve never heard of, inspiring a new way of cooking at home or creating a moment where people leave feeling more connected to the food they eat and the people who produce it.

That belief shaped every part of the Tapas Trail.

Rather than creating dishes for the sake of a menu, every plate became an opportunity to champion exceptional Irish producers. Beautiful seafood from Shines Seafood celebrated the quality of our coastal waters, while the unmistakable character of West of Dingle Sea Salt brought depth and simplicity to each dish. Every ingredient was chosen with purpose, not only because it tasted exceptional but because it represented the innovation, craftsmanship and pride that exists across Ireland’s food landscape.

One of the greatest privileges of my work is the opportunity to act as a bridge between producers and consumers.

Whether I’m standing in a television studio, writing a feature, developing recipes or hosting a live event, my role is always the same: to make exceptional food feel accessible while helping people discover the stories behind it.

Those stories matter.

Consumers today want more than beautiful food. They want to know where it came from. They want to understand the people behind the brand, the landscape that shaped it and the values that underpin every product they choose to bring into their homes. Live experiences like the Tapas Trail create the perfect environment for those conversations because they invite people to experience a story rather than simply hear it.

That is what I love most about creating events like this.

They bring together people who may never otherwise meet. Producers sit alongside food lovers. Local businesses become part of a shared experience. Festival visitors discover new brands, ask questions, taste something unexpected and leave with a deeper appreciation for the richness of Irish food culture.

The Waterford Festival of Food has long been recognised for celebrating exactly that spirit of collaboration. It is a festival that shines a light not only on outstanding food but on the people, businesses and communities who make Ireland’s food story so remarkable. Being part of that conversation—and contributing a new experience to the programme—was both a privilege and a joy.

Building a restaurant from scratch in just one day certainly came with its challenges, but those are often the moments where creativity flourishes. Bringing together producers, suppliers, festival organisers and an incredible team of people who all shared the same vision reminded me that the very best hospitality is always collaborative.