7 things you MUST stuff in your face at Cork Veg Fest

By Yay Cork May 8, 2018May 8, 2018

Friendly advice: Skip breakfast on May 12th.

Cork Vegfest, the biggest Irish vegan event of 2018 is happening on Leeside, with treats galore and a first class line-up of speakers to inspire your future food choices.

Vegfest will see Cork City Hall transformed into a plant-based food market with local stalls selling vegan burgers, hot dogs, salads, cool sauces and ingredients and loads more.

Whether you’ve been vegan for years or you’re just curious about meat-free cuisine, Cork Veg Fest is the ideal opportunity to put your money where you mouth is and eat your way through the menus of some of Ireland’s best vegan food producers.

Here are seven foodie tips for stuffing your face on the day:

1. SEEK OUT A BAG OF JOE’S FARM CRISPS

If you love a crunchy snack with your glass of vino, this East Cork producer has just the thing. Joe’s Farm Crisps, made with beetroot, parsnip and carrot with a sprinkle of Irish sea salt, are grown and hand-cooked on Ballycurraginny Farm in Killeagh… and gaining an obsessive following all over the country.

2. SIP A COFFEE AT FILTER

Georges’ Quay cafe FILTER will be supplying the caffeine at Cork VegFest. Not only will the crew be brewing up vegan lattes and doling out plant-based goodies, they’re also kindly giving 20 percent of the profits on each cup of coffee to Cork Dog Action Welfare Group, PAWS Animal Rescue Ireland and Back Into Daylight Animal Sanctuary.

3. SINK YOUR TEETH INTO A VEGAN BURGER

Cobh’s Nutcase Food Company makes super satisfying high protein, vegan nut burgers. If you’ve never tried their Masala Spices burger (available in selected Dunnes Stores and SuperValus), make sure you get your hands on one at VegFest.

4. GRAB A CHICKPEA BROWNIE

The Little Chickpea Company is famous for its Chickpea Chocolate Brownies, sold weekly at Skibbereen Market. These super chocolatey indulgent pieces of heaven are 100 percent vegan and gluten free. With zero flour involved, they’re packed with protein and fibre – that means you never need to feel guilty about eating a whole box in one sitting, right?

5. TRY IRELAND’S FIRST COCONUT MILK YOGHURT

Schull and Crossbones is the first and only coconut milk yoghurt produced in Ireland. Produced by the O’Regan brothers in Schull, West Cork, it’s made using only coconut milk, a little tapioca starch and starter culture. Find the stall and grab a spoon – this stuff will disappear fast.

6. EAT ALL THE VEGAN CHEESE AT LITTLE GREEN LEAF

You no longer have to quit your cheese toasty habit when you decide to follow a vegan diet. Bob Christie’s Little Green Leaf cheeses are as tasty as the dairy version and they melt and bubble just as deliciously. The Smokey Blue, Sharp Cheddar and Garlic and Black Pepper are our favourites.

7. TASTE THE BEST KIMCHI AT MY GOODNESS

Fermented foods are your tummy’s best friend – new research shows that adding saurkrauts, pickles and drinks like kefir and kombucha to your diet can vastly improve your gut health. My Goodness make a kimchi that you’ll want to add to every meal. Try it at the festival and restock your fridge at the Quay Co-Op and My Goodness in the English Market.