Faces of Food Interviewees…moving on up!
We’ve been very quiet on the Faces of Food interview front on our food blog this year because we’ve been working full-on with developing our Tasteful Tours concept. However, here’s an update for you on all the changes that have happened over the last year, in case you missed any. While also saying a festive cheers and a happy Christmas to all previous interviewees. Plus, it’s always nice to do a year-end recap and review.
Beginning alphabetically with Blasta Delights, I bumped into owner Áine at the Ballymaloe Christmas Craft and Food Fair and her stall was full of her warming ginger syrups, crystalised ginger, ginger jam and stem ginger products. This syrup, she makes from Peruvian stem ginger and it’s sensational on pancakes or drizzled over ice-cream. She’s currently taking orders for Christmas so best to get it in quick! Read her business back story here.
While the quaint Granny’s Table artisan store is no more, owner Fiona is knee high in homegrown produce with partner Paul on the Barefoot Farm. This horticultural farm is situated in Dunhill, in the beautiful Waterford countryside where they produce organic salad greens while supplying a number of retail stores in County Waterford. So far, you’ll find these bags of glorious greens for sale in Ardkeen Foodstore, Cove Stores and Quish’s Supervalu Tramore. Follow their social accounts for good things that may be sprouting for them in 2026!
Some of Our First Interviews…
One of our first Faces of Food Interviewees was The Cake Table owner Kate O’ Hora. The talented Kate is still constructing architectural cake masterpieces for weddings and family celebrations, plus she’s currently undertaking research for a Phd so she’ll be one to watch-out for in 2026/2027! In the meantime, check out her Instagram Account to view her fab creations thus far.
While Críoch Catering is still operating and serving the best food at gatherings and office meetings. They now have their own bricks-and-mortar haven called Críoch Café situated in the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray. So next time you’re in the Garden County drop in for breakfast or lunch and say hello to Tadgh & his team. They have artisan coffee, homemade sausage rolls, sandwiches, beautiful pastries, bakes and more. The café opens weekdays until 5pm, until 4pm on Saturdays but closes on Sundays.
This Autumn, Daisy Cottage Farm launched an Honestly Hut (parked at their farmgate in Kiltegan, Co.Wicklow) spoiling those locals who are able to drive up to order Lorraine’s homemade breads, bakes, marmalade and jams. However, you can order any of these or their mince pies, scones, tray bakes and famous bread-in-a-bottle from their online store too. Plus, we’re looking forward to their official Farm Food Tour starting up again for the 2026 season as we’ll definitely be booking our ticket for a tour of this unique farm. Here’s a flashback to what the Baking Goddess had to say to us.
Excellent Food & Artisan Coffee
Everett’s Restaurant remains a class act located on High Street in Waterford City. Stunning French inspired cuisine with an Irish twist. They focus on local produce and suppliers and food is elegantly served with love. Plus, this venue has received Bib Gourmand awards, meaning there’s great tasting food at exceptional value. Checkout their menus online or order a gift voucher!
Seánie and Co of High Horse Coffee are housed in their unique double-decker barista bus café on the Airport Road, Butlerstown Waterford and providing some of the best Festive Sambos you’ll find this side of Christmas Day! A micro bakery is also on location to service your sweet tooth. Check out their menus on their ‘always entertaining’ Instagram account. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face and an uplift to your taste buds too!
The fabulous Kerry Kefir from Castleisland in the Kingdom County was recently nominated for an Irish Made Award and won in the Drinks Category 2025. There’s no surprise there, as Mary-Thea’s kefir packs a powerful punch and is in a class of its own. Need to know more? Read all about her bubbly business here
You may have been lucky enough ‘to catch’ Little Catch Seafood when they appeared at the Vitamin Sea Festival during the Autumn months. Now their Christmas Menu is live on Instagram featuring their luxurious Seafood Platter and herb-cured Salmon and more. Or you can go visit Denise face-to-face in her food truck on Sunday 14th December at Mountain View Christmas Market, Kilkenny. Tell her we sent you 😉
Innovator & Inventor
MARA Restaurant (in a previous life was known as the old couch) but this is in their distant past! The last time we spoke to chef Luis, he was undergoing a brand change. Since then, it’s been full throttle; updating their kitchen, photo sessions, changing up their menus and even including cooking classes to their offering. View the website for the new classes list for 2026. For the festive season they are serving a fabulous sounding Christmas Eve Lunch and a special dinner on the 30th December. Currently, you can order their juicy roasted Goose Dinner for delivery as a luxurious ‘special’ (see their Instagram for details). On top of all of these great food experiences, chef Luis is indeed proving to be a talented innovator.
Earlier this year, Slice Wood Fire Pizza branched out into retail stores and you can find John’s artisan sourdough creations for sale at Ardkeen Foodstore. However, we were very sorry to hear the recent news that he will be pulling down the shutters on his Ballinakill Pizzeria premises by Christmas Holiday time. This is certainly bittersweet news because John is a very talented and inventive Pizzaiolo, however we just want to wish him every success wherever he ventures in 2026. For old times sake…read John’s past Faces of Food Interview here.
Bricks & Mortar Bliss
Sunny South Yeast have well risen from their food truck ‘team-of-two’ days. They’re now ensconced in a cosy bakery premises in Waterford City Centre with two or three staff members on their team. The Christmas Menu is on their socials or stop in to the bakery for some stunning sourdough bread, delectable bakes and a chat thrown in. Read their business backstory around the time they were getting set for expansion.
What was once Hungary Bites food stall is now The Olive Café a lovely snug café on John Roberts Square in the Waterford City. Kristina and Wayne serve great soup and do breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes plus they have homemade desserts, bakes, and their special chimney cakes.There’s a lively and fun-loving vibe to their social channels too. Call in to enjoy the ambience or take a look at their menus and you can pre-order online from them too.
The Tiramisu Da’ Costa Family are still operating their Osteria in the Johnstown Business Park on the outskirts of Waterford City, which is opening on Sundays too, running up to Christmas. They also have a fab looking food truck which pops up at festivals from time to time. An exciting recent development, is that they’ve been selected for the SuperValu Food Academy Programme so this could unleash lots of opportunities for them during 2026. Read their past interview to get a taste of Rome and their business ethos.
Keep On, Trucking!
Based on the main road into Tramore Town, Unbeetable Food are by now well settled into a freshly painted and refurbished food stand since we last chatted with them. They remain a firm favourite with Tramore locals and visitors for their healthy breakfast and lunch offerings. Their Christmas Lunch Menu & Christmas Sides Menu are now available on their Instagram and Facebook page. This season they’ve some delicious sounding soups, salads, sandwiches, stews and special sides for you to order. Stop by for a try, or click and collect via their website also. Then read what they’re all about here
Coming up for us in the New Year! Keep your ears open for some exciting changes on our side too, which we’re currently working on. We’ll update you about it soon. In the meantime, enjoy the festivities and keep-on, keeping-on and moving-on up! – Sinéad 🙂
