Appetites are growing for the third annual Off the Street Food Festival, which comes to Letterkenny on the 27th and 28th of July 2019.
The festival was officially launched on Friday evening at the Bank of Ireland Letterkenny WorkBench. Guests enjoyed a feast of food and music to sample what’s in store for this year’s top foodie event.
The Letterkenny Food Festival will return to the Orchard Inn car park on the High Road on the final weekend of July. A packed programme was unveiled at the launch party, with top chef demonstrations, live music, fun food challenges, talks and masterclasses all in the line-up for 2019. There will be many street food stands, producer and craft stalls too, with familiar names and new faces in the mix.
Paddy Crossan, Michael Tunney, Jimmy Stafford, Toni Forrester, Anna Walker and Derek Walker at the launch of the “Off The Street” Food Festival taking place in Letterkenny on the 27th and 28th of July. Photo Clive Wasson
Speaking at the launch party, co-founder Derek Walker of NatNoot Nutrition Co. talked about the origins of the event: “It all started back in 2016, we were talking about having a food festival. We felt there was something missing in Donegal and we thought we’d try it. When we made the decision, it’s just amazing how it came together.”
Michael Tunney, LEO Donegal and Derek Walker, NatNoot at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Derek paid tribute to everyone involved and the support that he and co-founders Chef Chris Molloy of the Lemon Tree and Letterkenny Bank of Ireland manager Jimmy Stafford have received in the past three years.
Derek acknowledged the Letterkenny Chamber, the Local Enterprise Office, Paddy Crossan from the Orchard Inn, the organisers and the public for their support of the festival.
“We are glad to create something different for the town,” Derek said.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far and we are only three years into it. We enjoy every minute of it.”
Anna, Oscar and Derek Walker at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise, wished the committee every success in the event. He talked about the momentum that has been gained with the Donegal Food Coast and said: “It’s all about raising our own confidence in our own county and our ambition, and Derek and his team are doing that in spades.”
Oscar Walker with Jimmy Stafford, Michael Tunney, Derek Walker, Joan Crawford, and Anna Walker at the launch of the “Off The Street” Food Festival taking place in Letterkenny on the 27th and 28th of July. Photo Clive Wasson
Jimmy Stafford speaking at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Singer/songwriter Tanya McCole gave a thrilling performance of ‘Midnight Special’ for a preview of the many talented local artists performing at Off the Street 2019.
With the dates set and the programme officially unveiled, it’s time to start spreading the word about Off The Street LK – and mark the 27th and 28th July in your diaries.
Check out more photos from the party below:
Peter and Luke Gildea at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Tanya McCole performing at the launch of the “Off The Street” Food Festival taking place in Letterkenny on the 27th and 28th of July. Photo Clive Wasson
Jimmy and Triona Stafford at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
The Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
The Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Isabella and Maria Hetherington at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Heather McKeeman and Tanya McCole at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Amanda Clarke and Maria McCormack at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
The Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
The Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Martin Murphy, Home Instead Senior Care, and Susan Stevenson, Travel Consultant at the Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
The Off the Street Food Festival Launch Party in Bank of Ireland Letterkenny, Friday 5th July
Noelle Blane, Laura Blane, Daragh Breslin and Ben McDonald. at the launch of the “Off The Street” Food Festival taking place in Letterkenny on the 27th and 28th of July. Photo Clive Wasson
