Food on the Edge 2017 – Preview

The run-up to October and the eagerly anticipated return of the annual Food on the Edge symposium is heating up with the recent announcement of this year’s theme; ‘Action: Reaction’ at the official Irish launch held recently on the 19th of June in Hatch & Sons, Dublin. After last year’s hugely successful event held in the Town Hall theatre there was a push on chefs and others within the food industry to action change after discussing the future of food in the industry and the planet. Speaking at the recent launch, JP McMahon, director of Food On The Edge reiterated this need to action change hence this years’ theme, “After three years it was time to reflect on the issues we’ve been talking about and try to change or act on them. Feedback from chefs that had taken direct action as a result of attending Food On The Edge – chefs at the top of their game and chefs just starting out – has been inspiring and motivating. We’d like to hear these stories and promote action.”

Chef Domini Kemp and Chef PJ McMahon at the launch of Food On The Edge 2017 in Hatch & Sons, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. Photo Credit: Robbie Reynolds

For those who are unaware, Food On The Edge is an annual two-day symposium held in Galway taking place this year in the Black Box Theatre on Monday and Tuesday, 9th and 10th of October. In a series of TED talk style 15-minute talks and panel discussions the aim is to generate debate, discussion and thought leadership on the future of food both in the industry and on the planet. Read my review of last year’s event here to find out more about what to expect.

Building on previous years the line-up for the 2017 symposium is no less impressive and includes cult chefs and stars of the Netflix series Chef’s Table, namely Nordic chef Magnus Nilsson of Fäviken,  and Slovenian chef and winner of 2016 Best Female Chef in The World Ana Roš of Hiša Franko restaurant. Names that Irish audiences may be more familiar with include Ballymaloe’s Darina Allen, Daniel Clifford from Michelin starred restaurant Midsummer House and judge on Masterchef Ireland, Sat Bains from his self titled two-Michelin starred restaurant in Nottingham, and indeed Hatch & Son’s own Domini Kemp. Returning this year include Food on the Edge stalwarts Sasu Laukkonen, Nathan Outlaw, and Matt Orlando. The full line-up is available here.

Members of the Food on the Edge team, from left to right: Drigin Gaffey, JP McMahon, Olivia Collins, Ruth Hegarty. Photo Credit: Nic Crilly-Hargrave

Early bird tickets are available to purchase until the 31st of July from the website www.foodontheedge.ie. A 2-day early bird ticket costs €350 which includes access to all talks plus lunches and entry to the now infamous wrap party. The official hashtags for Food On The Edge 2017 are #ActionReaction and #FOTE2017