City chefs combine for supper in the market

For generations the English Market has been the culinary heart of Cork city, but soon you can eat in the heart of the English Market!

For the first time ever, the ground floor of the English Market will be transformed into a dining space for a headline event at this year’s Cork on a Fork Fest.

Taking place at 7pm on Saturday 16 August, Supper by the Fountain will see three of the city’s most respected chefs collaborate on a special menu that highlights the English Market’s rich array of local produce.

Pamela Kelly of Farmgate Café, Aishling Moore of Goldie, and Harrison Sharpe of Elbow Lane will introduce their dishes and share stories behind their creations and the produce.

Guests will be seated around the market’s iconic fountain for a multi-course meal that reflects the city’s food culture, with each course paired by local wine specialists Bubble Brothers, who are also based in the English Market. The night begins with a drinks reception, sponsored by Rebel City Distillery and Elbow Lane, and there will also be live music.

Dating back to 1788, the English Market is one of the oldest covered markets in Europe. Today it remains a vital and vibrant part of Cork’s cultural and culinary identity. Renowned for its diverse range of local and artisanal produce, it has long been a meeting point for traders, chefs, and food lovers alike.

Aishling Moore, known for her sustainable gill-to-fin philosophy at Goldie, said: “I grew up shopping in the Market with my parents — now I’m sourcing ingredients here as a chef. It’s such a joy to celebrate its producers in this way, surrounded by their stalls, and to cook alongside two chefs that I really admire.”

Pamela Kelly added: “The English Market is more than a building — it’s a living, breathing part of Cork city. This event brings people closer to the food, the place, and the people who make it special every day.”

Harrison Sharpe of Elbow Lane shared his excitement about the collaboration. “We’re three different chefs with different styles, but that’s what makes this such a brilliant opportunity. We all share the same respect for ingredients, and the English Market is full of inspiration. I think guests are in for a really memorable night.”

Tickets are priced at €128 plus booking fee and went on sale this Monday. With seating limited and anticipation high, it’s expected to sell out quickly.

Supper by the Fountain is supported by TS Events and forms part of Cork on a Fork Fest, which runs from 13–17 August. Now in its fourth year, the festival has become a standout in Cork’s summer calendar, spotlighting the producers, chefs, and culinary innovators that shape the region’s vibrant food scene. This year’s programme will feature over 100 events across the city — including pop-up dining experiences, chef collaborations, street feasts, food trails, cooking demos, foraging walks, and family-friendly fun. Several headline events have already sold out.