Mother Earth: Irish food and trailblazing women to be celebrated in major Brigid 1500 event this month – presented by Hot Press & Kildare County Council

With the star-studded Brigid 1500 celebrations kicking off in just over a week-and-a-half, it's time to unveil more details about one of the most highly anticipated events on the programme – Mother Earth: A Food Happening, coming to The Wonderful Barn in Leixlip, Co. Kildare on Saturday, January 27.

This culinary delight, with an emphasis on sustainability and food quality, will feature a host of talks, workshops and demonstrations, starring leading Irish women in food. It promises to be an unmissable event for food experts, enthusiasts, and curious newbies alike.

It's one of five ticketed Nothing Compares events – presented by Hot Press and Kildare County Council – which will provide unique and joyful ways to celebrate Irish women creatives. Events at The Wonderful Barn are supported by Intel, whose campus is in Leixlip.

Here's what you can look forward to across the day at Mother Earth: A Food Happening:

Panel 1:

12pm to 1pm – moderated by food writer & editor Dee Laffan
Exploring approaches to food based on ideas of equality, sustainability, justice and nutrition for all

Featuring:

• Dr Karen Ward: holistic therapist, author of Glorious Goddesses of Ancient Ireland & The Secrets of Ageless Ageing
• Chantelle Nicholson: multi-award-winning chef at Michelin Green-starred Apricity in London
• Holly Loftus: bladesmith at Loftus Knives – and the only woman in the UK professionally hand-forging culinary knives
• Edizemi Onilenla: founder of Mama Shee – bringing the rich taste of Nigerian cuisine to the Irish food industry

Demonstration 1: Irish grown pulses by Rose Green at 1pm

Chantelle Nicholson

Panel 2:

1.30pm to 2.30pm – moderated by journalist & co-founder of Pocket Forests, Catherine Cleary.
What Women Bring To The Table: A dynamic discussion on sexism in the food world

Featuring:

• Jess Murphy: chef patron of Michelin Green-starred Kai Restaurant in Galway
• Rose Greene: chef, co-founder of 4 Hands Food Studio – producers of naturally fermented foods and drinks
• Majken Bech-Bailey: Co-owner and founder of BECH-BAILEY
• Sinead Moran: Co-owner of Gleann Buí Farm – an organic raw micro dairy in Mayo

Demonstration 2: Griddle scones and homemade jam by Jess Murphy at 2.30pm

Rose Greene

Panel 3:

3pm to 4pm – moderated by food consultant & journalist Ali Dunworth
Local Is Best – But Can We Make It Work?

Featuring:

• Aisling Larkin: TV cook and broadcaster on Newstalk and Virgin Media's The Six O'Clock Show
• Julia Hemingway: chef-owner of Julia's Lobster Truck
• Darcie Mayland: co-founder of The Lost Valley Dairy and Creamery in West Cork
• Jane Russell: director of Jane Russell's Handmade Sausages

Demonstration 3  Making Your Own Home Cheese – plus tasting a A Lost Valley Dairy special by Darcie Mayland at 4pm

Demonstration 4 Barbequing a lobster, by Julia Hemingway at 4.20pm

Darcie Mayland

Tickets for Mother Earth: A Food Happening are €22.50, and are on sale now: