Seenby many to become the ‘G8 Summit’ of food and food culture, the ‘Food On The Edge’ symposiumis back in Galwayfor 2016to offer big talks on what matters for the future of food and an even bigger chef line up.International chefs, restaurateurs and up to 500attendees a day, will come together in the Irish city of Galway, Ireland to network, offering Ted Talk-style debates,workshops and generally share knowledge on what the food industry can and is doing about the future of food.
The speaker line-up for 2016 boasts visionary chef Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana, Italy, which is number one this year on the prestigious San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. During the Rio Olympics in August, Bottura co-founded Refettorio Gastromotiva, a community kitchen that took surplus food and created nutritious and tasty meals for those in need. At Food On The Edge, Bottura will speak on the topic, ‘Cooking Is A Call To Act’.
A young Galway chef who has been making his mark in the UK, Evan O’Ceallaigh is speaking on the topic ‘On A New Culture of Chef’, while Connemara-based chef Cliodhna Prendergast is speaking on the topic ‘Food, Kids and Community’. Panel discussions will also take place including one on the topic of ‘The Future of Irish Food’ with Michelin-starred Belfast-based chef Danni Barry, award-winning London Irish restaurateur Robin Gill; winner of the Great British Menu 2013 Raymond McArdle and sea vegetable advocate and medical doctor Prannie Rhatigan. International delegates will debate ‘The Future of Canadian Food’ as well as ‘The Future of Australian Food’.
Other delegates hail from as far away as Peru, California, New York City, the Middle East, the Philippines, Moscow, Scandinavia, Paris, Barcelona, the Netherlands and Germany.
JP McMahon, symposium director, said, “Last year’s symposium was a huge success, contributing over €500,000 to the local economy. This year aims to build upon that and shine an international light on our wonderful Irish produce. I believe the future is bright for Irish food.”
A Wild Atlantic Way Artisan Food Village will showcase 60 Irish food producers, and it will take up residence at the front of the Town Hall Theatre on Courthouse Square for the duration of the symposium.
After the two days of talks speakers will be taken on a special Food On The Edge excursion to Cong Village hosted by Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle on the Wednesday following the event, where they will get to sample the best local produce from this part of the 2018 European Region of Gastronomy.
A limited number of tickets for Food On The Edge are available via the websitewww.foodontheedge.ie. The full speaker line-up and programme can be viewed here:www.foodontheedge.ie