Local food heroes celebrated in Waterford exhibition

A new exhibition of photos and stories will shine a light onto the work of familiar local people who shape Waterford’s food culture.

The work, titled ‘Stories Behind the Bite’ , will feature at this year’s Waterford Festival of Food from April 25 to 27.

The exhibition, which is a combination of stories curated by Jane Gormley of CRAICLY and photography by Joleen Cronin, will run at Curran Store throughout the festival week.

Striking black-and-white portraits will be brought to life with bite-sized stories offering insight into the lives of the people featured, exploring their journeys and experiences that shape Waterford’s food culture.

Commenting on the Exhibition, Waterford Festival of Food CEO Eunice Power said: “Each portrait and story offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of those who craft, create, and shape our food culture."

"Last year, photographer Joleen Cronin was commissioned by the festival to create a striking black-and-white portrait exhibition," said Eunice.

"This year, we’re adding a new layer to that with a creative storytelling project in collaboration with Jane Gormley from CRAICLY Stories," she added.

"Bringing conversations to the forefront, Stories Behind the Bite uncovers the stories behind the portraits, capturing the individual and collective energy of the Waterford food industry. The project celebrates the efforts, journeys, and support systems that connect our food community and its people."

"These stories are almost like messages in a time capsule, it will be fascinating to revisit them in 10 years’ time," she said.

This and more awaits at Waterford Festival of Food, which returns from April 25 to 27, with nearly 100 events on offer.

The festival showcases the best of Waterford’s rich food heritage.