Waterford-born TV chef and wellness advocate a star attraction at Comeraghs Wild Festival

RENOWNED TV chef and wellness advocate, Aisling Larkin, will be cooking up a feast for all of the senses with carefully selected local produce when she appears for the very first time on the action-packed Comeraghs Wild Festival programme.

The Waterford native, who is back home and living between the mountains and the sea, will conjure up a modern dish featuring crispy Comeragh Lamb at Nell’s Farmhouse on Sunday, July 9, the third and final day of the four day festival programme. Places for the  ‘Celebration of the Comeraghs’ demo at the historic , 200 year-old Nell’s House in stunning Rathgormack are booking up fast and the demo begins at 2pm.

The centrepiece of Aisling’s mouth-watering menu will be crispy Comeragh Lamb. Accompanying the succulent lamb will be creamy hummus, delicately balanced with the sweetness of pomegranate, and served alongside wild mountain herb flatbreads.

Aisling's choice of ingredients showcases her dedication to showcasing the best of what the Comeragh’s have to offer while encouraging a deep appreciation for cooking locally and seasonally. Booking is essential via HERE

Aisling's approach to cooking goes beyond the mere meal preparation. She believes that every ingredient tells a story and that by embracing local and seasonal produce, we can connect with our surroundings on a deeper level. Her dedication to promoting sustainable practices and supporting local farmers and producers is reflected in every dish she creates, she explained.

“The Comeraghs Wild event provides a platform to celebrate the incredible flavours and culinary traditions that can be found right here in our own back garden. By cooking with locally sourced ingredients, we support our local communities and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of flavours that nature provides. I'm thrilled to be a part of this event and to share my passion for sustainable cooking with the attendees,” Aisling said.

Comeraghs Wild Festival Event Director, Bernadette Drohan, said tickets are booking up fast. “We are delighted to have Aisling as part of our event. Her commitment to promoting sustainable, locally sourced ingredients aligns perfectly with the values of the Comeraghs Wild Festival. Her culinary persona and ability to inspire others to cook with passion and purpose make her an ideal ambassador for this event.”

The amazing food inspired by the Comeragh, Copper Coast and Nire Valley region is very much to the fore at this year’s Festival. The four day programme also includes Foraging and Forest Bathing from Crough Wood on Friday, July 7, at 2pm. There’s Music & a Barbecue at Crough Coffee on Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm.

Sunday’s Comeraghs Wild programme also includes Brunch & Music at Coach House Coffee on Sunday, July 9, from 12 noon to 2pm. Locals and visitors to the region are also invited to ‘Eamo and Ro's Summer Soiree’, an informal three course Casual Dining Experience with Local Quality Food at Emo and Ro in Kilmacthomas on Sunday from 5pm.

The casual dinner menu includes a melting pot of dishes including nachos and wings, monkfish tacos, lamb kebabs, grilled corn rolled in spicy mayo and parmesan, summer slaw bowls, and champagne strawberry pots for dessert. Lamb is locally sourced from Willie Drohan of Comeragh Lamb and farm to fork beef is provided by O’Reilly’s butchers, right next door.

For more on the Comeraghs Wild programme, check out www.comeraghswild.com