Stuck for something to do this weekend? We have the perfect event. Bord Bia is hosting its eagerly anticipated gardening, food and family festival, Bloom. A highlight in the social calendar for green fingered enthusiasts, foodies and those who enjoy a great family day out, Ireland’s largest garden and food festival will run for five days over the June bank holiday weekend in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, from Thursday, 29th May until Monday, 2nd June 2014. Now in its 8th year, Bloom continues to attract a nationwide audience.
Bloom 2014 will showcase 30 exquisite show gardens, from the very best of Ireland’s landscape gardeners and designers. This year’s bespoke garden creations will include the Crumlin Children's Hospital Garden, Mrs Brown’s Boys D'Garden which will see the popular TV show come to life through the recreation of the now infamous kitchen set Bloom-style! A staggering 10ft Mr Tayto will overlook the Tayto Garden - Potato to Packet, which will also include the largest water feature ever to appear at Bloom.
A team of expert judges from the world of horticulture will once again preside over this year’s event, including Andrew Wilson (award-winning garden designer, lecturer and writer), Mark Gregory (winner of 55 Chelsea medals), Karen Foley (landscape architect and educator) and Paul Maher (curator of the National Botanic Gardens). They will be joined by guest judge, award-winning landscape architect and garden designer Feargus McGarvey.
Foodies will be delighted to hear that the Food Village at Bloom returns with an even greater choice of tasty treats and culinary delights. A wide range of dining options will be available at Bloom 2014, from Bistro, Bloom’s restaurant, café and seafood bar, to the all-newDonnelly Fresh Food Parlour. A host of other options will be available in the picnic and outdoor entertainment area, along with numerous pit stops for coffee and delectable nibbles, showcasing the very best of Irish artisan food. Lovers of Irish cheese will also enjoy the Irish Cheese Awards 2014, taking place at Bloom to showcase and reward the very best from Ireland’s farmhouse cheese producers. Guests are also invited to try some handcrafted Irish beers and spirits in the Bloom Inn.
The Quality Kitchen stage, a firm favourite with Bloom regulars, is sure to be a major attraction in the Food Village this year. Some of Ireland’s most loved chefs, including Neven Maguire, Kevin Dundon, Donal Skehan and Catherine Fulvio will host a number of daily demonstrations showcasing a range of new recipes made from Bord Bia Quality Assured products and the best of local ingredients.
For more information on the Bloom festival and how to get tickets, you can log on to their site here. 
