New TV Series Brings Taste of Ireland to BBC Audiences Across Britain
A new fifteen-part TV series, Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour, fronted by celebrity chef Anna Haugh and supported by Tourism Ireland, is set to begin airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday, May 5th. The series, which was announced today, promises to take viewers on a culinary journey across Ireland, showcasing the country’s superb food offering and beautiful landscapes.
According to a press release from Tourism Ireland, each episode of Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour will see Anna visit a different location, where she’ll be joined by a celebrity guest. Together, they’ll meet the people behind the local produce and sample an array of the delicious ingredients and flavours Ireland has to offer. In the first episode, Canadian comedian and actress Katherine Ryan joins Anna in Cork, where she reflects on childhood memories of her Irish grandmother’s "over-boiled and under-seasoned meals". On a mission to impress, Anna takes inspiration from Ballymaloe Cookery School and Cork’s iconic English Market to create a tasty modern dish for her celebrity guest.
As Anna travels across Ireland, she’ll be joined by other well-known faces, including presenters Angela Scanlon and Laura Whitmore, actor Ian McElhinney, rugby legend Bundee Aki and singers Una Healy and Shayne Ward. These celebrity guests will be sharing their own Irish food memories and helping Anna prepare a special meal. Episodes will air each weekday for three weeks, giving viewers a chance to experience the best of Irish cuisine.
Judith Cassidy, Tourism Ireland’s Acting Head of Great Britain, is quoted in the press release as saying: "Tourism Ireland was delighted to support the production of ‘Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour’. It’s a really excellent showcase for Ireland’s superb culinary offering and beautiful landscapes." This endorsement from Tourism Ireland highlights the series’ potential to promote Irish tourism and showcase the country’s unique food culture.
Commenting on the series, Anna Haugh said: "Irish food is my passion and it’s a passion that took me from Dublin to London to pursue my dreams. In this series, I am returning home to rediscover what is incredible and unique about Irish food." This quote, sourced from Tourism Ireland, gives insight into Anna’s motivations for creating the series and her love for Irish cuisine.
The series has been well-received by Tourism Ireland, with Judith Cassidy praising its potential to promote Irish tourism. As the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination, Tourism Ireland has seen significant growth in overseas visitor spend, with a 10% increase in 2024 bringing an estimated €7 billion to the island of Ireland. For more information on Tourism Ireland and their promotional efforts, visit their international website at www.ireland.com.
A photo of Anna Haugh filming with presenter Angela Scanlon in Mayo has been released, giving a glimpse into the making of the series. The image shows Anna and Angela working together in a picturesque Irish setting, highlighting the beautiful landscapes that will feature throughout the series.
Tourism Ireland’s Key Facts:
- Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.
- In 2024, overseas visitor spend grew by over +10% on 2023, bringing an estimated €7 billion to the island of Ireland.
- Tourism Ireland’s international website is www.ireland.com, with 21 market sites available in 18 different countries, as well as one international site, in seven language versions around the world.
The new series, Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour, is set to be a hit with audiences across Britain, showcasing the best of Irish cuisine and promoting Irish tourism. With its unique blend of food, culture, and celebrity guests, this series is not to be missed.
