A Taste of Dublin - who's going?

mozattack

Simple, I am, never missed one, even went to Taste of Cork.

I await my award for loyalty

Dine in the Dark was amazing last year - shame it aint here this year.

Tar.Aldarion

How much is food in there once you pay the 23.50/28.50 to get in?

Faith

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

How much is food in there once you pay the 23.50/28.50 to get in?

I've been to the food festival in Cork, and you paid an outrageous amount just to get in, and then paid over the odds for all the food inside. I think I got a free cracker last year, and was forced to pay €5 for a bottle of Corona.

Could be different for Taste of Dublin, but I'm highly skeptical about these events now.

Edit: I misread your post as asking how much food you got for the ticket price, sorry. Still, in my experience, you pay pretty standard prices considering portion size.

Tar.Aldarion

Faith wrote: »

I've been to the food festival in Cork, and you paid an outrageous amount just to get in, and then paid over the odds for all the food inside. I think I got a free cracker last year, and was forced to pay €5 for a bottle of Corona.

Could be different for Taste of Dublin, but I'm highly skeptical about these events now.

Edit: I misread your post as asking how much food you got for the ticket price, sorry. Still, in my experience, you pay pretty standard prices considering portion size.

Hmm I've never been but if it is like that then it knows where it can go. You can go to these in other countries for free or cheap, and pay maybe 2.xx for a pint and 2.xx-3.xx for the food. If you pay nearly 30E here and the food is like 8e then fools will be parted from their money.
If the food is cheap enough I will go. If it is not then you may as well spend the 150e two would spend on a top class restaurant instead of paying for small samples from each.
In fact I wouldn't do either and just go to the farm :pac:

Faith

Yeah, well it's all tasting portions and most cost from €3 to €6. The one in Cork last year was sponsored by Corona and the only beer you could buy was Corona for €5 a bottle - more than I'd pay in my local city centre pub. Full price entry (if you just turned up at the gate) was about €20 - €25, but there was a groupon deal for a week or so with 2 tickets for €12 (iirc). So yeah, to eat the equivalent of a full portion with a drink, you'd pay well over what you'd pay in a restaurant.

So, to keep the thread on topic, for those reasons, I'd be slow to go to another food event where you have to pay for entry and pay for food. I'd either pay for entry and expect some tokens/vouchers towards food and drink, or not pay entry and just pay for food.

Bateman

I guess there is a market for eating decent quality food outdoors in Dublin city centre once a year. Not enough of a novelty for me personally anyway, not enough of a novelty to pay that sort of money.

stevenmu

This is also one of those things where they have their own currency (florins) that you have to buy through the organisers, and then you use that to buy food/drink. I don't know if they refund you for any unused florins at the end. Sounds very expensive over all for what it is.

the beer revolu

Also remember that at these events, the restaurants are also charged heavily - I'd say no restaurant makes a profit at these events.

Mrs Fox

If the sun shines, it'll be a good day out to have a picnic. We were lucky on their first year of Taste to get great weather. Made all the 20-odd quid and florins plus plus worth it.
Not so much for the second year round -- buckets of rain and felt totally not worth it.
I haven't been since then.
Personally I think they shouldn't charge more than €15 for entry+some florins, if they want to get people in nowadays.

Uncle_moe

I think people who are generally interested in food and not just seeing some media hungry "chef" do a few cooking demos and flog overpriced mediocre food should refuse to go to this festival.
It's about time Dublin and Ireland became more diverse with food. Why should we only have food events run by large corporations a who serve only those in the public eye. A food festival run by genuine people with a love for food would surely catch on. Farmers markets took a while to get up and running and now their booming (I assume so anyway by the hoards of people at the ones I've been to), so by that logic there should be enough demand for more festivals that serve people and not those looking to cash in.
It's being done all over the world, and its about time we started too.

aidan24326

Faith wrote: »

I've been to the food festival in Cork, and you paid an outrageous amount just to get in, and then paid over the odds for all the food inside. I think I got a free cracker last year, and was forced to pay €5 for a bottle of Corona.

Could be different for Taste of Dublin, but I'm highly skeptical about these events now.

No different unfortunately. It's a lovely venue (Iveagh Gardens) and on a sunny day it does make for a nice day out.

But in true Irish fashion, if you strip away the layer of pretension what you're left with is a rip-off event.

Meagre sample portions for up to 7 euros, very little free samples, all on top of a hefty enough ticket price to begin with.

And if you have leftover florins at the end there is no refund. You spend them or lose them.

Karlitto

I am going,

And have been every single year Best social event of the year in my eyes.

By the way, if anyone needs a ticket and can't get one, or wants one slightly cheaper, I have 2 which I can sell for 20 quid each. I bought them with a group and unfortunately, 2 people who signed up cannot go. PM if interested.

ScottSF

But in true Irish fashion, if you strip away the layer of pretension what you're left with is a rip-off event.

I noticed there is a Taste of London event happening to and decided to look into it further. It is extremely unfair to imply it is a ripoff and reflects poorly on Ireland. The company behind it is not based in Ireland and the Taste of London is even more expensive:

£25.80 advanced tickets in London vs. €20.00 for Dublin

It is interesting to note how many Taste city events are planned for around the globe. It is probably a great way to visit a city and sample the local restaurants all in one go.
http://www.tastefestivals.com/

My wife and I had a ton of fun last year but yes I agree it should be a bit less expensive. The entry price should include 5 Florins and a free welcome drink. Hopefully the rain will stay away this weekend (not too optimistic).

Thud

Went to the Christmas one in the the convention centre, complete rip off.

A decent farmers market is better value.

The Curragh food paddock at the Derby meeting was well worth checking out, Derby meeting is a good day out as well (€30 for bus from Dublin and entry)
http://www.curragh.ie/derby-food-paddock-to-showcase-best-of-irish-food/

Karlitto

Thud wrote: »

Went to the Christmas one in the the convention centre, complete rip off.

A decent farmers market is better value.

The Curragh food paddock at the Derby meeting was well worth checking out, Derby meeting is a good day out as well (€30 for bus from Dublin and entry)
http://www.curragh.ie/derby-food-paddock-to-showcase-best-of-irish-food/

Yep, the tastes of Christmas was ****e, but in fairness, I think the tastes of Dublin is the best event of the year.

vicwatson

I will never ever pay into a food festival.

Producers want to promote their food and they want me to pay for the privilege? I think not.

schemingbohemia

vicwatson wrote: »

I will never ever pay into a food festival.

Producers want to promote their food and they want me to pay for the privilege? I think not.

You do know you're not actually obliged to attend?

ScottSF

vicwatson wrote: »

I will never ever pay into a food festival.
Producers want to promote their food and they want me to pay for the privilege? I think not.

I know some have an issue with an entry fee (I think it is too high myself) but if you think of it this way you can easily justify the need to charge admission.

Your ticket is for the food "show" where there are scheduled talks and demonstrations, some from well-known chefs and TV people. There is also entertainment. That is what your ticket price is paying for.

At the same time and place there just happens to be many food producers giving away free samples and top restaurants selling food.

One more reason to consider... if it was free entry, the place would be overwhelmed by people who would hang around all day grabbing free samples. Charging admission limits it so you have a bit more elbow room

Faith

ScottSF wrote: »

I know some have an issue with an entry fee (I think it is too high myself) but if you think of it this way you can easily justify the need to charge admission.

Your ticket is for the food "show" where there are scheduled talks and demonstrations, some from well-known chefs and TV people. There is also entertainment. That is what your ticket price is paying for.

At the same time and place there just happens to be many food producers giving away free samples and top restaurants selling food.

One more reason to consider... if it was free entry, the place would be overwhelmed by people who would hang around all day grabbing free samples. Charging admission limits it so you have a bit more elbow room

You make a good point about elbow room. I don't mind being charged for entry as long as I get something in return. Say €20 for entry, and you get €15 worth of tokens towards food/drink. That keeps out the scroungers, gives value for money for the consumer and still has money going towards insurance and costs.

I agree with others that food festivals are largely advertising exercises, particularly outside of huge cities like London. If you're mad to try a new restaurant, even the top end ones tend to have early bird menus now which would allow you to sample the menu without breaking the bank. In Cork, anyway, all the producers who have stalls at food festivals also have stalls in several farmer's markets which don't charge for entry. So I just personally can't justify an entry fee which provides nothing in return.

vicwatson

This was brilliant, and free http://www.wexfordfoodfestival.ie/ put it in the diary for next year

nudger

Did anyone go yesterday and if so what did you think?

Karlitto

nudger wrote: »

Did anyone go yesterday and if so what did you think?

My tickets are for tonight

nudger

Karlitto wrote: »

My tickets are for tonight

The forecast is bad for today, was thinking of tomorrow.:) daddy's day present.

Let me know how you get on.

Karlitto

nudger wrote: »

The forecast is bad for today, was thinking of tomorrow.:) daddy's day present.

Let me know how you get on.

I will of course, well, every year the weather has been amazing, except 2 years ago unfortunately, hoping it pisses downthis afternoon and clears up for the evening.....fat chance ;<

Heroditas

I'm heading with a gang from work this evening - can't wait!
I always enjoy the evening. good selection of food and drink and you can always load up on the various nibbles around the place.
No issue with having to pay in, it keeps all the potential troublemakers and scumbags away.

mozattack

Faith wrote: »

I've been to the food festival in Cork, and you paid an outrageous amount just to get in, and then paid over the odds for all the food inside. I think I got a free cracker last year, and was forced to pay €5 for a bottle of Corona.

Could be different for Taste of Dublin, but I'm highly skeptical about these events now.

Edit: I misread your post as asking how much food you got for the ticket price, sorry. Still, in my experience, you pay pretty standard prices considering portion size.

This person has serious issues, Taste of Cork was incredible value.

Go to MacDonalds so.

mozattack

Uncle_moe wrote: »

I think people who are generally interested in food and not just seeing some media hungry "chef" do a few cooking demos and flog overpriced mediocre food should refuse to go to this festival.
It's about time Dublin and Ireland became more diverse with food. Why should we only have food events run by large corporations a who serve only those in the public eye. A food festival run by genuine people with a love for food would surely catch on. Farmers markets took a while to get up and running and now their booming (I assume so anyway by the hoards of people at the ones I've been to), so by that logic there should be enough demand for more festivals that serve people and not those looking to cash in.
It's being done all over the world, and its about time we started too.

Farmers markets = cheese, jam, cheese, jam, relish and then some more cheese.

WOW, the way forward

mozattack

vicwatson wrote: »

I will never ever pay into a food festival.

Producers want to promote their food and they want me to pay for the privilege? I think not.

Okay, lucky you if you can pop into these restaurants so often and have a sample of their food.

Wait though, bet that doesn't happen.

mozattack

Heroditas wrote: »

I'm heading with a gang from work this evening - can't wait!
I always enjoy the evening. good selection of food and drink and you can always load up on the various nibbles around the place.
No issue with having to pay in, it keeps all the potential troublemakers and scumbags away.

Agree 100% with this although the weather will effect it.

If it was free it would be jammed with too many people, if it was a set ticket price and free food well then expect the usual fatties to eat too much and make the queues unbearable.

Some "foodies" on here are a laugh.

Heroditas

mozattack wrote: »

Agree 100% with this although the weather will effect it.

If it was free it would be jammed with too many people, if it was a set ticket price and free food well then expect the usual fatties to eat too much and make the queues unbearable.

Some "foodies" on here are a laugh.

I also can't understand how people can say something like this could be "free".
Somebody has to pay for it - for the tents, the staff, the insurance, printing of brochures etc.
Then the restaurants have to send staff to cook food and dish it out to punters, instead of cooking on their own premises where they make money.
Are people expecting them to just show up and give away food for 6 or 7 sessions to thousands of visitors out of the goodness of their hearts?

mozattack

Heroditas wrote: »

I also can't understand how people can say something like this could be "free".
Somebody has to pay for it - for the tents, the staff, the insurance, printing of brochures etc.
Then the restaurants have to send staff to cook food and dish it out to punters, instead of cooking on their own premises where they make money.
Are people expecting them to just show up and give away food for 6 or 7 sessions to thousands of visitors out of the goodness of their hearts?

I agree 100%... dont get it, really don't especially in a forum for people who are meant to love food.

My advice, never go to a Michelin starred restaurant, never go ala carte and simply grow spuds in the back garden and eat them. Wow... life is fun

Tar.Aldarion

Heroditas wrote: »

I also can't understand how people can say something like this could be "free".
Somebody has to pay for it - for the tents, the staff, the insurance, printing of brochures etc.
Then the restaurants have to send staff to cook food and dish it out to punters, instead of cooking on their own premises where they make money.
Are people expecting them to just show up and give away food for 6 or 7 sessions to thousands of visitors out of the goodness of their hearts?

If it was free in the restaurant would be charging for the food, with a portion of that going to the organisers, so they would be charging more per plate but free in. That is not ideal as it would be too busy. So a ticket price must apply. I think the ticket should come with a certain amount of florins and then everything would be fine. But paying 28.50 in (which is more than an early bird at any of these restaurants really) and then paying 6e for a small potion is not the best. You do get a good range and novelty but enjoying a meal in a good restaurant is better. You will spend 120e at this for two people easily. If they included some florins in the ticket I'd love to go. These restaurants are here to promote themselves, that has costs like for every other business, advertising. So that's not a great view to take, every business has these costs.

homemadecider

I got a free ticket through work so popped down at lunchtime today. I didn't exchange any cash for florins and got loads of free samples. Jaysus there is a lot of free wine if that's your thing!

Nearly every stall was offering free tasters and it was nice to potter around and sample different things. Didn't spend a penny, stayed for about an hour and really enjoyed it.

In saying that, I wouldn't pay full price for a ticket - it's way too expensive for what it is.

super_furry

Went yesterday and really enjoyed myself actually - the weather and booze definately helped though. The food can be slightly overpriced and some of the portions are miserable but there are bargains there too - especially with the booze. Good a lovely big portion of muscles from Matt the Threshers for €4, a lovely half-lobster tail for €7 from (I think) the Lobster Pot and stuffed myself on the free samples. The steak and chips portion from the Chop House was a bit miserly for €7 but was cooked well and really enjoyable. Best thing I ate though was a heaping plate of spit-roast pig from the Paris Bakery, great value at just a €5 too.

As for the entry fee it's is too much and if it's the same next year I'd really think about it. Charging €25 with a tenner's worth of their currency would be much easier to swallow.

Heroditas

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

If it was free in the restaurant would be charging for the food, with a portion of that going to the organisers, so they would be charging more per plate but free in. That is not ideal as it would be too busy. So a ticket price must apply. I think the ticket should come with a certain amount of florins and then everything would be fine. But paying 28.50 in (which is more than an early bird at any of these restaurants really) and then paying 6e for a small potion is not the best. You do get a good range and novelty but enjoying a meal in a good restaurant is better. You will spend 120e at this for two people easily. If they included some florins in the ticket I'd love to go. These restaurants are here to promote themselves, that has costs like for every other business, advertising. So that's not a great view to take, every business has these costs.

Agreed. It would be nice to get a few florins in the price.
I ordered the tickets for my work's sports and social club - I was only charged €20 per ticket. No Ticketmaster charge because I went directly to the organizers.
Ticketmaster really do make a killing on admin charges.

Of course it's nicer to eat in a restaurant and be waited on, relax over a glass of wine but this is a once-a-year novelty and, as a result, I enjoy it.

Bear in mind that, AFAIK, the restaurants have to pay to be there anyway so yes, it would form part of their marketing/advertising budget but the people who grumble about having to pay for food are living in cuckoo land.

paudgenator

Went today as had won tickets for the 12- 4 session. Enjoyed lots of free samples of food and drink, and bought some cocktails at €6 (florins). One of the stall holders said it cost €3,000 for the stall, €1, 000 for lighting and €1, 000 for 2 stools for the staff. And when they cash in the florins at the end, they lose 10% of the value to the organisers! So they are certainly paying to be there.

But we got chatting and realised at 4.10pm we still had 7 florins and no-one would accept them, even though lots of people were still sitting around finishing their food/drinks! Eventually finally found one stall which did.

Personally, I didn't like the idea of having to leave...we were having fun and would have continued spending if we had the option to stay.

Dizzyblonde

mozattack wrote: »

This person has serious issues, Taste of Cork was incredible value.

Go to MacDonalds so.

mozattack wrote: »

Some "foodies" on here are a laugh.

@ mozattack be warned - any more comments like these and you will receive an infraction.

Heroditas

The weather was so miserable last night!
Got absolutely drenched until we found a tent to huddle in!
Thought the food was very nice but thought there were less stands then the last time I was there.
The food at the Jaipur stand was definitely my favourite.
Enjoyed the night but am definitely suffering this morning!!!

Mrs Fox

Heroditas wrote: »

Enjoyed the night but am definitely suffering this morning!!!

Free booze?

Heroditas

Mrs Fox wrote: »

Free booze?

Far too much booze!
Bloody needed it to keep warm! I actually saw a few people wearing gloves last night!!

Timothy Bryce

Found it quite disappointing this year.

The standard of restaurant seems to have gone downhill in recent years, found €7 a bit rich for 3 cold chicken wings from Diep le Shaker. I notice none of the top restaurants were present, bar Bon Appetit....the rest seemed to be places that specialised in pub grub!

Also found this years festival to be very 'boozey'. I don't drink and couldn't get a non-alcoholic drink aside from €2 water anywhere. I was refused a glass of coke from one of the bars as the girl said she needed it for mixer.

Smash Hits were decent though, I would have paid the €28 just to see them!

Second time I've left this festival absolutely starving and headed to Camden Street for a burrito

ScottSF

I was happy with the number of restaurant choices and the quality of the food. Some a bit pricey I agree. There were definitely much fewer vendors/exhibitors this time. Last year I recall several places selling kitchen products and more Irish food companies giving out samples for free.

As for paid food, I tried the tender and meaty daube of beef from The Green Hen, the fresh tasting cod and chips from The Dylan, the creamy and delicious parmesan risotto from Il Primo, the peaches and cream dessert from Clodagh's Kitchen, and a perfect walnut cake from The Hot Stove restaurant.

The staff at The Dublin Wine Rooms (located at IFSC) were knowledgeable (as always) and very welcoming. A competitive selection of wines for 5 florins each plus DJ spinning tunes.

Fun music on the big stage plus jazz and roaming singers added to the ambiance. I also went to a good talk from the executive chef at the Merion Hotel where he cooked up a Irish Wild Salmon which I was told has not been on the market for years due to necessary conservation efforts.

Fortunately I went Sunday afternoon where the sun actually made a strong appearance and it was hardly crowded at all compared to last year. They didn't throw us our at 4pm either, perhaps due to the lower numbers. Hopefully next year they'll lower the admission (by including a few florins) and make it an entire day affair for all.

schemingbohemia

That risotto from Il Primo was amazing! Aniar were there too as well as Green Hen so don't know why people complaining "top" restaurants weren't there. The Wild Nettle Gnocchi from Clodagh's kitchen were superb too as was the Peanut Butter Parfait from Pichet.

Yeah they should definitely include florins in the price of a ticket and selling the florins in multiples of 5 yet having most dishes at 6/7 is a bit cheeky.

reprazant

mozattack wrote: »

I agree 100%... dont get it, really don't especially in a forum for people who are meant to love food.

My advice, never go to a Michelin starred restaurant, never go ala carte and simply grow spuds in the back garden and eat them. Wow... life is fun

This makes no sense. Your advice would make sense if you had to pay into said Michelin starred restaurant but you don't as it makes no sense to pay into a restaurant for the privilege to pay for their food.

vicwatson

Heroditas wrote: »

Far too much booze!
Bloody needed it to keep warm! I actually saw a few people wearing gloves last night!!

Free?

schemingbohemia

vicwatson wrote: »

Free?

All the stalls selling wine were giving out samples, mostly fairly small but if you went to all of them it would add up, then you could repeat the cycle.

super_furry

Got a nice phonecall there during the week from Knockranny House - I won the weekend away from the draw they had on their stall. Fecking chuffed and delighted my girlfriend insisted on going there just before we left to get the Rhubarb Cheesecake.

Dizzyblonde

super_furry wrote: »

Got a nice phonecall there during the week from Knockranny House - I won the weekend away from the draw they had on their stall. Fecking chuffed and delighted my girlfriend insisted on going there just before we left to get the Rhubarb Cheesecake.

Congratulations