Returning for its ninth year the award-winning Food On The Edge has launched its 2024 programme. The theme of this year’s event is A Sense of Place.
Food On The Edge is a coming together of international and national chefs and food influencers to listen, talk and debate about the future of food in our industry and on our planet.
Previous speakers included Elena Reygadas, Aditi Dugar, Andrea Petrini, Darina Allen, Tom Jenkins, Jason Bangerter, and many more visionary change-promoting agents.
JP McMahon, Founder of Food On The Edge, said, “The theme ‘a sense of place’ is particularly appropriate given our return to Galway this year. Galway is where I have put down roots and established my businesses including Aniar restaurant.”
“Aniar meaning ‘of the West’ celebrates the produce of the west of Ireland and I think it’s wonderful to experience the authenticity of food from a region.”
“The theme of ‘a sense of place’ from the perspective of Food on the Edge is not limited to speaking of and championing the Terroir of a region, rather I hope it also sparks debate about instances where we have lost a sense of place”.
After three years at Airfield Estate in Dublin, Food On The Edge is back in its hometown of Galway.
Speaking at the launch which took place in the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU said, “Since its inception in 2015 it has always been one of the most significant events on the Irish food calendar, with chefs, food writers, broadcasters, academics, artists and food producers congregating to celebrate all that is wonderful about Irish food.”
“We are thrilled to be hosting Food on the Edge in ATU Galway City in October later this year, and our culinary teams across ATU are eagerly looking forward to participating in what I expect will be an event to remember”.
A newcomer to Food On The Edge this year is Sophie Healy-Thow, who has received a Global Citizen Prize for work in poverty and food security, one of five winners of the prestigious prize recognised at the Global Citizen awards ceremony in New York.
Sophie is a 26-year-old from Kinsale in Cork and founder of Act4Food. Act4Food Act4Change is a youth-led and initiated campaign that mobilises the power of young people to call for a global food system which provides everyone with access to safe, affordable and nutritious diets, while simultaneously protecting nature, tackling climate change and promoting human rights.
A speaker making his debut at Food On The Edge is Matthew James Duffy. He has fifteen years of international industry experience, from speciality bakeries to Michelin-starred restaurants.
He is now a Professor of Baking and Pastry Arts Management at Centennial College in Toronto and is following his passion for baking. Matthew found his niche and exploded on the sourdough scene with over 480K social media followers.
He enjoys being able to share his knowledge and passion to influence and encourage people to explore the vast and versatile world of baking.
Returning to Food On The Edge is Ebru Baybara Demir who previously spoke in 2019 and has since won the Basque Culinary World Prize in 2023. She is a distinguished Turkish chef, social entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable agriculture and social development.
She is renowned for her innovative approach to blending traditional Turkish cuisine with modern culinary techniques and her commitment to social impact through food.
Through her restaurants and initiatives, she has created sustainable livelihoods for many, preserved cultural heritage, and inspired a new generation of chefs and entrepreneurs to use food as a vehicle for social good.
