Belvedere to host feast of food and family fun
Belvedere House, Gardens & Park is set to become a hub of culinary activity this weekend when the Belvedere Food and Apple Festival takes place on Sunday, September 6.
The event, running from 10am to 5pm, will bring together local food producers, chefs, gardeners and family entertainment against the backdrop of the historic estate overlooking Lough Ennell.
One of the main attractions will be the festival’s Cookery Demonstration Stage, which will feature a number of well-known food personalities throughout the day.
Renowned Irish chef Catherine Fulvio will headline the programme when she takes to the stage at noon to demonstrate her culinary skills and share recipes with visitors.
Award-winning chef Kamalika Ranasingha of Multyfarnham Cookery School will follow at 2pm, with her demonstration incorporating the distinctive Belvedere Red Apple.
RTÉ’s Home Grown co-presenter Kitty Scully will then take to the stage at 3.20pm for a seasonal gardening session focused on preparing for autumn.
She will offer advice on protecting and nourishing soil, extending the productivity of kitchen gardens and making the most of the autumn season.
The festival also celebrates one of Belvedere’s more unusual pieces of living heritage – its famous apple, known for its distinctive red flesh.
The variety was brought to Belvedere House and Gardens in the early 20th century by Charles Howard-Bury following his travels in the Tian Shan Mountains of Central Asia. It has since become closely associated with the estate and its history of food production.
Visitors will have the opportunity to sample and purchase produce from a selection of Irish food producers and traders, while families can enjoy a dedicated Kids Zone.
Activities will include a bouncing castle, Zorb Balls, an apple decoration activity, an ice cream van and an Apple Trail through the Fairy Garden and Walled Garden. Some attractions will carry a small additional charge.
There will also be a modern sustainability element to the event, with the Cookery Stage being powered by Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 electric vehicles in association with O’Brien Motor Group Mullingar.
Liam Glynn, Events and Marketing Co-ordinator at Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, said the festival would celebrate food, family and local heritage.
“We have a fantastic line-up of chefs, producers, traders and family activities planned,” he said, highlighting the appearance of Catherine Fulvio, Kamalika Ranasingha and Kitty Scully.
He added that the partnership with O’Brien Motor Group Mullingar would demonstrate how sustainability and innovation can form part of events while maintaining a strong connection with the local community.
With food, entertainment and activities for all ages, organisers are expecting the festival to attract visitors from across Westmeath and the wider Midlands.
Tickets for the Belvedere Food & Apple Festival are available online.