Bloom in the Park

Bloom, a five-day lifestyle and gardening event, opened in the Phoenix Park yesterday. I headed along for a quick preview and had a really lovely afternoon.

There’s a huge market bursting with delicious, world-class, small Irish food producers. Cheeses, chocolates, cakes, preserves, pies, meats, soups, juices, and dips sit happily alongside Caribbean, French, and Asian producers who have settled in Ireland. Bluebell Falls, a small goat’s cheese producer from Ennis in Co. Clare, was particularly incredible: worth the trip for this stand alone!

As well as being a delicious feast – I stuffed my face full of samples – Bloom is a great reminder of how small businesses in the Irish food sector can make a really positive impact . This Bord Bia event also features the Chef’s Summer Kitchen, with demonstrations from top Irish chefs including Neven Maguire of MacNean House, Catherine Fulvio of Ballyknocken House, and Derry Clarke of L’Ecrivain.

I’m obviously focusing on the food, but this is billed as a “celebration of garden life.” So there’s also some very imaginative, interactive garden displays, entertainment stages, and a family fun zone, as well as stands with information on growing your own, beekeeping, wildlife, and much, much more.

The long weekend beckons, the sun is set to shine, and adults can take up to three kids for free. Tickets cost €20 online. I’m heading back tomorrow and looking forward to meeting more of the food producers: I’ll post about them again next week.