The Cork Chocolate and Baking Weekend which will take place November 22 to 24 has been officially launched. It will see world renowned chocolatiers and bakers descend on Cork to showcase their love of all things sweet. In addition the hugely anticipated “Great Cork Bake Off” will also take place over the weekend.
The Cork International Hotel will once again host the unique three-day event, which will showcase cake making experts and chocolatiers who have won major global honours in the industry, including gold medallists in world-ranked events in the US. Throughout the weekend, a large marquee will host chocolate, baking and cookery demonstrations, while visitors can also indulge in various workshops and talks.
This is the second year of the Great Cork Bake Off at The Cork Chocolate and Baking Weekend where 15 people will be carefully selected as finalists from their “Showstopper” cake and they will be judged by renowned chef, Paul Kelly, Executive Pastry Chef of the Merrion Hotel and Judge of the Great Irish Bake Off.
There are some very exciting additions to this year’s festival such as Sparkling Afternoon Tea with complimentary admission to the exhibitor area on Saturday 23rd November. The afternoon tea will be prepared by the Executive Head Chef, Martin O’ Mahony. There will also be a special appearance by judge of the Great Irish Bake Off and Executive Head Chef of the Merrion Hotel, Mr Paul Kelly along with one of the World’s best known award winning chocolatier and patissier, William Curley.
One of the highlights of the weekend is The Cork Chocolate Dinner which will see a Cocoa themed dinner served to guests on Friday 22th November at 7pm.
Over the weekend other events include a Q&A with one of the World’s best known award winning chocolatier and patissier, William Curley. William will be offering hints and tips for baking and decorating your favourite delicacies. There will also be a talk on how to make the perfect Christmas Cake.
There will also be a variety of workshops such as Beer and Chocolate Pairing; Wine and Chocolate Pairing; a Cocktail Making Masterclass and Sourdough Made Easy.
There will also be a children’s area with lots of activities to keep younger chocolate lovers entertained.
General Manager of the Cork International Hotel, Carmel Lonergan, said: “This is one of the major highlights for us here in the hotel. It is a huge event for Cork as some of the biggest names in chocolate and baking are participating in the proceedings. This year admission to the event is just €5 for adults, which children free. We are so excited to transform the hotel in a Chocolate Wonderland this November,” Ms Lonergan said.
Co-founder of the Cork Sugar Craft Association, Jacqueline Cullinane, said the Cork Baking and Chocolate Weekend would see standards seen in the best of international competition.
“Irish artists are up there with the very best in the world, including British and Australian cake makers. It is a wonderful craft to enjoy — it truly brings out creativity you never even realised you had, and it becomes a real family affair with multiple generations able to enjoy it together. We hope there will be lots of would-be cake artists and chocolatier stars born when they visit the Cork International Hotel on November 22 to 24 and become seduced by the passion that goes into chocolate and baking. Once you get hooked, it’s hard to lose that passion that lasts a lifetime,” Ms Cullinane said.
