‘Cook With Kia’ serves up wellness at Yoga Picnic
The Yoga Picnic festival at Lough Ennell is expanding its food offering this year with a new interactive kitchen powered by Kia electric vehicles.
Wellness doesn’t end on the yoga mat, say the organisers, and, as nutrition is recognised as a foundation of physical health, mental wellbeing and longevity, this year’s Yoga Picnic is putting nourishing food on the menu.
Returning to Lilliput House on Lough Ennell, on Saturday July 4, the 2026 festival includes the ‘Cook With Kia Kitchen’, backed by Kia Ireland via the local dealership, Sleator Kia, where chefs, food creators and nutrition advocates will host live cookery demonstrations throughout the day.
The entire kitchen will be powered by Kia’s EV technology, reflecting the festival’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. The kitchen is another example of how The Yoga Picnic continues to blend innovation, sustainability and wellbeing in one unforgettable experience, say the organisers.
Festival-goers can expect demonstrations celebrating wholesome, flavour-packed cooking, with chefs and food personalities including Emer Simms, Samantha Forrest, Ciara Turley (@thetummyfairy), Alannah Sheehan (@worthfightingfor), Irish Mammy Cooks, and more, sharing practical recipes, cooking tips and ideas for making nutritious food part of everyday life.
The addition of the Cook With Kia Kitchen reflects the growing interest people have that wellness is about far more than movement alone. From supporting gut health and boosting energy levels to improving mood, hormone balance and overall wellbeing, good nutrition has become an essential pillar of modern health.
The Yoga Picnic’s expanded food programme encourages visitors to view cooking not simply as a daily task, but as an act of self-care, creativity and connection.
Founded by friends, sisters and yoga teachers Alice Harrison, Mary Gardiner and Katy Harrison, The Yoga Picnic has grown from a small gathering into one that attracts visitors from across Ireland and overseas for a celebration of movement, mindfulness, music and community.
This year’s fifth anniversary festival features more than 100 experiences, including internationally renowned teachers Tara Judelle, Michael James Wong, Adam Husler and Hannah Barrett, leading Irish practitioners in women’s health, breathwork, herbal medicine, nervous system regulation and holistic wellbeing.
New additions include a dedicated Reformer Pilates Tent, the evening woodland venue Ceol sa Choill, where festival-goers can celebrate under the trees with DJ Zaneta and DJ Medalla, family-friendly yoga and children’s activities, the lakeside Uisce Spa with wood-fired saunas, hot tubs and cold-water immersion, sound healing, poetry, music, astrology, artisan makers, forest experiences and community gatherings.
As the sun sets over Lough Ennell, attendees will once again gather by the lakeshore for a closing concert led by musician, folklorist and yoga teacher Jack Harrison, bringing together music, Celtic tradition and community.
Mary Gardiner of The Yoga Picnic said: “Wellness is about so much more than exercise. It’s about how we nourish ourselves every single day, and food plays such an important role in supporting our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
“We’re looking forward to Cook With Kia this year because it brings together sustainability, education and fantastic food in an interactive way. Whether people come for the yoga, the cooking, the music or simply to spend time together, we hope everyone leaves feeling inspired.”
Adult day passes are available from €95. For information and tickets visit theyogapicnic.com.