Nearly time for Ballymaloe Litfest 2014!

I’m thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food & Wine this May 16th-18th. Last years figures rose from an anticipated 2500-3000 to a jaw dropping 8000 people including authors, chefs, bloggers, foragers, wine experts, gardeners, publishers, writers and journalists. Visitors came from all over the world, sharing and gaining knowledge about all things food and wine related.

I went to the first one last year and was truly delighted with the guest speakers. Cathal was almost five months old and it was my first time spending a good few hours away from him but no better place to go! I was in my element, and even at that I only managed to go for the Saturday. It was the same excitement I felt when packing my tent into the car for Electric Picnic only that I was bringing my well charged phone, pens and notebooks. This year I will be better prepared and bring my stash of cookbooks for signing. There will literally be thousands of much used copies of Plenty being thrust towards the unsuspecting Yotam Ottolenghi when he enters into the food lovers paradise that is Ballymaloe.

If you haven’t already booked tickets then do visit the website. There are so many brilliant and varied events to choose from. I know tickets sold out incredibly fast for the highly anticipated events like Rene Redzepi but there are still lots left. I’ll be taking part in three events this year. One is already sold out but there are still tickets available for my demo in the cookschool with Clodagh McKenna and Jordan Bourke. We all have gorgeous recipes planned and I can’t wait to get cooking in the Ballymaloe demo kitchen again, especially with such brilliant company!

I was to take part in the Food Styling talk but it clashes with the demo unfortunately. I’d love to see all the talented panel at the talk and it promises to be entertaining and informative as the experts let you in on their gorgeous food photo tricks! I will be back in The Grainstore with my blogging buddies for this brilliant talk though, ‘Food & Wine Blogging, No Publisher, No Editor; Is it good enough?’. The panel is fantastic including Caroline Hennessy, Donal Skehan, Nessa Robins, Sharon Bowers, Tom Doorley, and Tom Parker Bowles in conversation with David Prior.

With the Big Shed being packed full of delicious food and plenty of family friendly activities it really does promise to be a dream weekend for food lovers!

Details of tickets are here and are going fast! www.litfest.ie

I hope to see you there,

Lilly x