Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour: A Culinary Journey Across Ireland
Dublin-born celebrity chef Anna Haugh has returned to her homeland with a new series that showcases the best of Irish cuisine and culture. The Irish News can exclusively reveal that Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour, produced by Belfast’s Below The Radar TV, is a 15-part series that takes viewers on a culinary journey across Ireland.
The series, which is available now via BBC iPlayer and airs weekly on BBC Two from Monday May 5, features Anna Haugh traveling to various locations around Ireland, from Ballycastle in Co Antrim to Cork city. Along the way, she is joined by a range of celebrity guests, including Ian McElhinney, Katherine Ryan, Dennis Taylor, Ed Byrne, Shayne Ward, Laura Whitmore, and Vanessa Feltz.
In each episode, Anna and her guests explore local food producers, sample traditional Irish ingredients, and prepare special meals together. The series aims to showcase the diversity and richness of Irish cuisine, as well as the unique cultural heritage of different regions.
"I’m passionate about Irish food, and I’m excited to share that passion with viewers," Anna Haugh said in an interview with The Irish News. "Throughout this series, viewers can look forward to lots of delicious, inspiring food ingredients, wonderful recipes, and great chats with my celebrity guests and food producers."
One of the standout episodes features Katherine Ryan joining Anna in Cork, where they explore the city’s food scene and prepare a traditional Irish meal. Katherine, who has a reputation for being a bit of a foodie, admits that her grandmother’s "over-boiled and under-seasoned" dinners have left her with a bad impression of Irish food. However, Anna is determined to convert her into a fan of Irish cuisine.
In another episode, Anna meets snooker legend Dennis Taylor in Co Tyrone, where they go fishing and prepare a special dish using one of the area’s most unique delicacies: the Lough Neagh eel. The pair also visit a local farm, where they learn about the importance of sustainable fishing practices.
The series also features Anna exploring the rugged landscape of Co Mayo with presenter Angela Scanlon, visiting a Ballycastle farm with garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, and meeting actor Ian McElhinney in Portrush. In the seaside town, Ian reminisces about childhood holidays spent enjoying the local seaweed snack, dulse.
Other well-known faces joining Anna on her tour include presenter Vanessa Feltz, Father Ted star Pauline McLynn, wildlife broadcaster Liz Bonnin, rugby legend Bundee Aki, and The Saturdays pop star Una Healy.
The tour concludes with Anna meeting singer and actor Shayne Ward in Co Louth, where they visit a local farm and Shayne gets his hands dirty picking cabbage. Shayne is keen to connect with his Irish Traveller heritage, and Anna introduces him to one of Ireland’s last surviving tinsmiths.
The Irish News understands that Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour has been well-received by viewers, with many praising the series for its unique blend of food, culture, and storytelling. As Anna herself said, "Irish food is my passion, and I’m excited to share that passion with viewers."
The series is a must-watch for anyone interested in food, culture, and travel. With its unique blend of celebrity guests, local ingredients, and stunning Irish landscapes, Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour is set to delight audiences across the UK and Ireland.
Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour is available now via BBC iPlayer and airs weekly on BBC Two from Monday May 5. Don’t miss it!
