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].

Taste and Enjoy...

Free Event - Comber Earlies Food Festival

This is a FREE event - no ticket required. The event is focused around food and drink with stalls featuring local artisan producers, an artisan bar offering the best of local distilleries and breweries, celebrity chef demonstrations showcasing the famous Comber Earlies potato as well as Brass bands, children's entertainment and a vintage tractor display.
Comber Earlies Food Festival Plan Your Trip

To make your day our as enjoyable as possible, please use this Plan Your Trip Section, which will give you more information about, how to travel to the event by car or public transport, parking, shuttle buses, as well as, event site useful information - covering topics including: Visitor Information Caravan | Recycling | Accessibility | First Aid | Lost children and Vulnerable adults | Dogs | Stay sun safe.
Tastes and Tales of Comber

A Sunday Lunch Tour with expert local guide Lolly Spence of Hidden Ulster Tours including a 4 course meal. Starting at McBride's on the Square, then to Michelin Guide listed No 14 the Georgian House,for the main course, next to Sugar Cane Café Bistro for a tasty dessert and a coffee, then back to McBride's for some well-earned local brews and a selection of the finest cheeses selected by Indie Füde.

More foodies favourites...

Local providers are running lots of fabulous foodie activities across the borough as part of this celebration of food and drink, find out more and book some delicious treats below….

Pre-book Pick Your Own Strawberries at Flavour First - Donaghadee

*Date varies, subject to availability. Experience the joy of handpicking luscious strawberries at Flavour First, just outside Donaghadee. A family-friendly event that brings people together to savour the sweetness of summer.
1. 1 Jun 202431 Jul 2024
Traditonal Breadmaking at Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen - Killinchy

Tracey's cottage is located only 30 minutes from Belfast in a Marine Nature Reserve on Strangford Lough. Join her to make Soda and Wheaten Breads and to enjoy a feast of homemade treats around the Farmhouse Kitchen table. A hands on experience.
1. 1 Jan 202431 Dec 2024
Weave a Colourful Wallhanging with Kiri Cottage - Kircubbin

This workshop involves the process of using peg looms and simple weaving frames, together with a variety of coloured fibres, yarns and fabrics to create unique pieces of wall art. Just bring yourself and your enthusiasm!
Sold Out - Clandeboye Estate Afternoon Tea Experience - Bangor

You can enjoy a luxury afternoon tea in the glorious Banqueting Hall, filled with fine paintings, fabulous beams and a rich sense of history, followed by a visit to the Armory in the Mansion House.
1. 19 Sep 2024
The Big Foodie Quiz at McBrides on the Square - Comber

Bring your appetite for knowledge and join McBrides on the Square for a night of fun, food trivia, and friendly competition.
Canoe and Cake Experience at Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen - Killinchy

Enjoy the beauty of Strangford Lough from your own canoe and relax in the serenity of your surroundings before tucking into tasty treats in an 18th century thatched cottage in an area of outstanding natural beauty just 40 minutes from Belfast.
1. 7 Sep 2024
The Copeland Distillery Pub Quiz hosted by Ginger Pete - Donaghadee

Come and join the team at the Copeland Distillery for a quiz night hosted by the amazing Ginger Pete!
Comber Earlies Showcase Dinner, No. 14 at the Georgian House - Comber

A midsummer gastronomic spectacular! Celebration of local suppliers dinner in the walled garden. Jim Mulholland, head chef and owner of No 14 The Georgian House in the heart of historic Comber, invites you to a special midsummer evening showcase dinner in his beautiful walled garden.
Paddle and Pizza on Strangford Lough with Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen

Master the basics of staying afloat on a stand-up paddleboard and tour around the beautiful little islands on Strangford Lough. Afterwards. once you’ve worked up an appetite enjoy homemade pizza prepared by Tracey and Joe in their alfresco pizza oven!
1. 27 Jul 2024
2. 4 Aug 2024
3. 7 Aug 2024
4. 11 Aug 2024
5. 24 Aug 2024
Doggy Fayre in The Walled Garden, No. 14 at the Georgian House - Comber

Shadowing the main event, the Comber Earlies Food Festival in the Comber Leisure Centre Carpark, Jim and Joanne Mulholland have a select range of quality cuisine for dogs along with dog related craft, toys and recreational items for every type of devoted dog owner.
Comber Historical Walking Tour - Experience AND 2024

Comber may be small in size but is big in terms of history. Come along to discover what we mean!
Teddy Bears' Picnic at Maxemoo - Millisle

Join Maxemoo Café in Millisle for a whimsical Teddy Bear's Picnic! Bring along your favourite teddy bear for a delightful afternoon of fun and food.
Scene to Studio: Painting the Walled Garden - Experience AND 2024

Join local landscape artist Jenni Robinson for an immersive day of art, based around the beautiful Walled Garden in Bangor.
Sup and Soda at Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen - Killinchy

Enjoy nature while paddleboarding on Strangford Lough and feast on delicious homemade soda bread in Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen!
1. 14 Sep 2024
Sip and Solder: A Coppersmithing Workshop with Lake and Oak - Millisle

Create your own copper cup at Lake & Oak Coppersmithing's Sip and Solder workshop. No experience needed - just bring your enthusiasm! Sign up now for a fun and creative experience with complimentary coffee, tea, and treats.
An Evening with Chef Paul Cunningham, No. 14 at the Georgian House - Comber

With Paul and Jim working side by side in the kitchen, you can be sure that you will enjoy an evening of culinary delight and get to grab a glimpse of what this guest 'secret chef' offers up in his dining experiences with a seven course tasting menu.
A Taste of Italy at Maxemoo - Millisle

Indulge in a taste of Italy at Maxemoo Cafe's Pop-Up Italian Night! Join us for an unforgettable culinary journey featuring authentic Italian flavors and ambiance.
Friday Night Supper Club Comber Earlies Special at Old Post Office - Lisbane

Fully Licenced the Friday Night Supper Club at The Old Post Office Lisbane has a vibrant atmosphere exceptional food and a great Wine list
McBrides - A Night of Craft Beer & Comedy - Comber

Laughs on tap, join us for a night of laughs and great beer. Ronan Linesky will be bringing along 4 of Northern Ireland's best Comedians. Indie Füde will have the Raclette Machine melting some beautiful cheese over a plate of freshly dug Comber Earlies and Alex Da Costa will be playing the tunes to keep us all entertained.
Fields and Flavours: A Farm to Fork Feast with Ballyboley Dexters - Groomsport

Join Ballyboley Dexters for an unforgettable gathering to celebrate farm-to-fork dining sourced from like-minded producers, all amidst the beauty and warmth of their farm. This is an immersive experience where every bite tells a story of local passion and dedication. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
The Echlinville Distillery Tour & Tipple - Kircubbin

Experience Excellence with a tour and tasting at The Echlinville Distillery, home of some of Ireland's best known whiskeys, gins and poitín.
Big Summer Food Showcase Weekend, No. 14 at the Georgian House - Comber

Chef Jim Mulholland is joined by guest chef friends from across Northern Ireland in a kitchen garden erected to provide live demos across a two-day event.
Mermaid Tales with Kiri Cottage - Kircubbin

Come along to this relaxing workshop and find out more about this tale, and through more stories and fun crafts you might even find your own 'inner mermaid.'
1. 27 Aug 2024
Wellies and Wings with Ballyboley Dexters - Groomsport

A fun filled family friendly event with local artist Mrs Maker. After a farm walk during which you will hear about bees and Dexter cattle you let your kids creative skills soar decorating their own set of wings whilst you enjoy a Dexter Burger cooked on the Trailblazer BBQ and cool drink.