Masterchef-style cooking challenge will launch the 46th Kildare Derby Festival
The tables are about to be turned as some of Ireland’s leading trainers will be judged and critiqued for a change by their jockeys this time for, of all things, their cooking skills!
The second ever jockeys and trainers Masterchef styled cooking challenge will launch the 46th Kildare Derby Festival which culminates in the running of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on the last weekend in June.
The fun open air event will take place in the Square in Kildare Town on Tuesday 4th June from 6-8pm to launch this year’s Kildare Derby Festival and involves a judging panel consisting of top jockeys Shane Foley, Billy Lee and Chris Hayes who will be casting a critical eye over the cooking skills of local trainers including Willie McCreery in a ‘cook off’ whilst representing restaurants in Kildare Town such as Cunninghams, O’Dooles, Hartes and the Gallops.
It is thought that the Willie McCreery and a select bunch of local trainers have already entered ‘chef bootcamp’ in advance of the event which will take place from 6pm in the town square and competition amongst the restaurants in training their new recruits is said to have already reached fever pitch!
Each trainer will be coached on the night by the chef of their drawn restaurant and will have to create a salivating savoury dish in just five minutes for the esteemed judging panel of jockeys to decide on. Fran Berry and Kevin O’Ryan return again this year as MCs and to keep the jockeys and trainers apart in the event of any disagreements.
Orla Murtagh, Chair of the Kildare Derby Committee commented ahead of the launch, "The committee has once again put together a great selection of events this year to hopefully suit everyone. We’re delighted to have Failte Ireland and Thoroughbred Country on board with us to deliver what we hope will be an excellent week, culminating in what is always a top weekend of Irish racing in the Irish sporting calendar. We have planned an exciting range of events and activities to suit all tastes and ages and look forward to welcoming everyone to Kildare Town in the last week of June. Kildare Town is steeped in racing history and we welcome the opportunity, through the Festival week, to share our appreciation for all things equine.”
Now in its 46th year, the Kildare Derby Festival is set to be the best yet for 2024 with many events on around the town. For the first time ever festival partners Thoroughbred Country will offer an exclusive tour to the Irish National Stud and Kildangan Stud’s Foal to Fame Tour as well as a behind the scenes visit to Jessica Harrington’s training yard. There are also several tours at The Curragh, home of the Irish Derby, where guests can enjoy breakfast at the racecourse along with meeting iconic figures such as Michel Kinane and John Oxx as well as a few surprise guests along the way.
The 159th running of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby takes centre stage during a superb three day racing festival at the world famous County Kildare racecourse during the last weekend in June. To see what's going on and to book your tickets, visit our website: https://www.thoroughbredcountry.ie/kildare-derby-festival/