Chef Anna Haugh is hitting the road, and this time, she’s staying close to home. Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour, a new 15-part series, sees Haugh traversing the culinary landscape of Ireland, North and South, with a rotating cast of famous faces in tow. In the premiere episode, comedian Katherine Ryan joins Haugh in Cork, ready to sample the local fare and, one imagines, offer plenty of witty commentary.
Subsequent episodes feature a diverse lineup of guests, including snooker legend Dennis Taylor, who returns to his old stomping grounds and tries his hand at Lough Neagh eel, and TV presenter Laura Whitmore. The series also includes appearances by singer Shayne Ward, boxer Carl Frampton, presenter Angela Scanlon, actor Ian McElhinney, broadcaster Vanessa Feltz, actress Pauline McLynn, science presenter Liz Bonnin, and singer Una Healy.
Each episode focuses on a different region, exploring its unique culinary traditions and the people who keep them alive. From bustling markets to local farms, Haugh aims to uncover the heart and soul of Irish food. And, of course, there will be cooking. Using the fresh, local ingredients she discovers along the way, Haugh will create dishes that reflect the distinct flavors of each area. The entire series will be available on BBC iPlayer after the first episode airs and will also be broadcast on BBC Daytime in Spring 2025.
Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour airs on BBC One Northern Ireland this Monday at 8:00 PM.
