Taste Summer in Ards and North Down

Visit Ards and North Down providers are celebrating local food and drink with events taking place in locations across the borough during Taste Summer, from 19 – 30 June, with the popular Comber Earlies Food Festival on Saturday 22 June. The programme includes free and ticketed events. 

Comber Earlies Food Festival - Comber Leisure Centre Car Park

22 June, 11am - 5pm 

Comber Earlies Food Festival is organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council and supported through collaboration with Comber Regeneration Community Partnership - CRCP and Comber Earlies Growers' Co-operative. 

Returning to Comber Leisure Centre Car Park on Saturday 22 June, enjoy a wealth of artisan food and drink stalls, celebrity chef demos by Rachel Allen, children's entertainment and lots more foodie favourites at this free family event! 

Come along to Comber and celebrate its famed potato, with chefs showcasing their culinary talents, discussions with food heroes and live music throughout the day, a festival not to be missed! 

Festival Kitchen

Rachel Allen | A bestselling cookery writer, TV chef and celebrated teacher at the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland.

She is a popular figure in the culinary world, with an international audience for her bestselling cookery books and food writing, her live demonstrations, and her much-loved television programmes. Rachel was co-host of Good Food Channel’s Market Kitchen, has appeared on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, and currently co-hosts The Restaurant alongside Marco Pierre White for RTE as well as writing a weekly food column for the Sunday Independent. Read more about Rachel.

Lotte Duncan | is a skilled and highly experienced broadcaster. We are delighted to welcome Lotte back to Comber for the festival this year. Recognised as a leading authority on English cooking, she brings thirty years of food experience to her television presenting, live stage hosting and compering with a light, friendly and humorous touch. Read more about Lotte.

This event has received funding from DAERA’s Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.

Find out more about Comber Earlies Food Festival. 

Taste Summer from 19 - 30 June >>View our quick glance guide <<

Celebrate the first feast of summer with authentic food and drink experiences showcasing unique venues and our local food heroes.

Please note: Menus for some elements of the Taste Ards and North Down food programme are seasonal and subject to change without advance notice. For information contact the host venue for the specific foodie experience that you are interested in.

Recipe inspiration

There are many ways to cook these famous potatoes, here is some inspiration for you to try at home - Comber Earlies recipes.

Stay a while

Why not make a break of it? Relax in the beauty of this place, offering everything from 5 star luxury to cosy guest houses or unique self-catering options, maybe camping and caravanning is more your thing, let us help you plan your perfect getaway. 

Find out more in our Plan Your Trip section.

For more inspiration and tips on how to make the most of your trip sign up to our newsletter.

[Please note, details subject to change. This event is being photographed/filmed. Images may be used in Ards and North Down Borough Council promotional material. If you do not want your image to be used, please inform our event staff].