Thursday 1 May 2014

Inside LitFest 2014

I've been dying to lift the curtain on LitFest 2014 for you. So here goes...

Things are hotting up here! The ace LitFest team have been working flat out for months now, drawing up the programme, planning one exciting event after the other. The excitement is reaching fever pitch at this stage.

Last night we had the official launch up in Dublin - the whole team headed up on the train...

Never go anywhere without a picnic and a cushion darling!

Now we're officially launched... we're counting down the days before the influx of speakers and guests arrive. There's a real buzz about the place already.

As before, the event will be held at Ballymaloe: the Cookery School in Shanagarry, the Grain Store at Ballymaloe House, and the new Drinks Theatre at Ballymaloe House. Dozens of food and drink heroes will be flying in from all over the world, to join our home grown legends in a celebration of food, drink and words. It was a a great boost to get a shout out in the Observer last week as one of their Top 50 Food Events of the summer. And I'm looking forward to sharing more about a few of the events over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

We're absolutely thrilled that Kerrygold have joined us as festival sponsors this year. For us it's a completely sympathique partnership with a company that has always been known for its quality... that spreads a taste of Ireland all over the world.

We were so excited with our line up last year, and it was quite a challenge to match... and top it... this year. Judging from the reaction it seems we have done it again in spades. My brother Rory keeps joking about my little black gastro-book!

We were so delighted by the reaction to so many of our food heroes who responded so positively to our invitation. Without exception they had heard of last year's event. Word seemed to have spread like wildfire through the global food community. And those who have already committed were begging to come back again next year. I'm not going to share names now, but we are VERY excited!