Exhibition of local food heroes set for this year's Waterford Festival of Food

‘Stories Behind the Bite’ is an exciting exhibition of photos and stories of local food heroes taking place at Waterford Festival of Food from April 25th-27th.

The exhibition, which is a combination of stories curated by Jane Gormley of CRAICLY and photography by Joleen Cronin, will run at Curran Store throughout the festival week.

Striking black-and-white portraits will be brought to life with bite-sized stories offering insight into the lives of the people featured, exploring their journeys and the shared experiences that shape Waterford’s food culture.

At its core, Stories Behind the Bite aims to highlight the connection of a strong community and the power of storytelling. This exhibition captures the energy, resilience, and collective success of those working in the industry.

Commenting on the Exhibition, Festival CEO Eunice Power said,

“Each portrait and story offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of those who craft, create, and shape our food culture. Last year, photographer Joleen Cronin was commissioned by the festival to create a striking black-and-white portrait exhibition.

"This year, we’re adding a new layer to that with a creative storytelling project in collaboration with Jane Gormley from CRAICLY Stories.

"Bringing conversations to the forefront, Stories Behind the Bite uncovers the stories behind the portraits, capturing the individual and collective energy of the Waterford food industry.

"The project celebrates the efforts, journeys, and support systems that connect our food community and its people. These stories are almost like messages in a time capsule—it will be fascinating to revisit them in 10 years’ time.”

Some of the food heroes featured include The Sea Gardener, Dún Bakery, The Shamrock and Comeragh Mountain Farm.

With nearly 100 events on offer, the festival showcases the best of Waterford’s rich food heritage. This year’s programme ensures the three-day event remains a vibrant celebration of taste, community, and shared experiences.

While the main hub will be in Dungarvan, events will also take place in Lismore, Ardmore, Villierstown, Ballyduff, Cappoquin, and Kilmeaden.

As Ireland’s largest and longest-running community food festival, the annual event provides a major boost to the local economy.

For more see waterfordfestivaloffood.com

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