French Food Fair On The Square 2014 In Pictures

I had the idea of a French food festival for a while. Initially I wanted it to be something quite big but I didn't get the necessary funding. In my search I was lucky to be put in touch with Ruth Baily from the Merrion Square Innovation Network who suggested I host my fair in a beautiful Georgian building, no. 63 Merrion Square which is currently the home of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. Ruth also put me in touch with Des Vallely from Irish Village Markets who kindly accepted to support the event and without whom it would never have happened.

I wanted to create a free, fun, food event showcasing some of my favourite food businesses that make or sell French food in Ireland. I learnt a lot from organising the fair and loved every minute of it. It was great to be able to create my own event and be in charge of everything and was wonderful to see that people were enjoying themselves on the day.

Until I opened the doors on Saturday the 11th of October I had no guarantee that people would show up but they did, many of them, 1,697 people to be exact. There was a great buzz on social media with people using the hashtag #FrenchFoodFair and so many people came over to me to give me the sweetest feedback on my blog or the fair. I was over the moon!

We had some great food, a face painter, jugglers, speakers, and some fabulous sunshine that people enjoyed in the pretty Georgian garden at the back. Now I'll stop blowing my own trumpet and leave you with some pics, the list of people who made that day a success and some of the feedback I received.

Thanks to the following vendors for participating:

Armelle's Kitchen / L'Art du Chocolat / French Wines / On The Pig's Back  / The Corner Bakery / Lefevre Cidre / Tartine Bakery / Sheridans Cheesemongers / Chez Max Epicerie / Sasha Petite/ Bakelicious

Thanks to the Merrion Square Innovation Network and Irish Village Markets for helping me to make this event possible and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland for the beautiful venue.

Thanks to Yolene, Eoin, Mammy Mr. FFID, Cedric, Ewa, Laura and Phil for their precious help on the day.

Thanks to lovely Mr. FFID, business manager extraordinaire of the French Food Fair.

Thanks to the speakers Thilbault Peigne (Tartine), Clementine Agron (Cocoa Atelier/La Rousse Foods), Nicolas Bateau (L'Art du Chocolat) and Franck Le Moenner (Sheridans).

Thanks to some bloggers who wrote about their visit:

- Maison Jen
- Crumbs of Rain
- Daisy Chain Feasts
- Two Birds in a Tea Cup

Thanks for the all the tweets! (Here are some but check out #FrenchFoodFair for more)

@FrenchfoodieinD Had a wonderful time at the food fair today. Well done to everyone!
— liam cunningham (@liamcunningham1) October 11, 2014

Had a brilliant time at the #FrenchFoodFair . Made me miss Bordeaux a little less. @FrenchfoodieinD pic.twitter.com/J2AegrhWcv
— Dasha Maynes (@dashamaynes) October 11, 2014

Great atmosphere at #FrenchFoodFair. Congratulations @FrenchfoodieinD pic.twitter.com/axmiZeP9FV
— Mary Mc (@MaryMc_31) October 11, 2014

And of course thanks to all the lovely visitors who made my day! Merci beaucoup!