Seasonal Feast and Taste of Carlow with Santina Kennedy

Andrew has been involved in growing food since 2001, beginning his journey on organic farms and ecovillage projects in New Zealand and Canada.

There, he was introduced to concepts such as Permaculture, Seed Sovereignty, Agroforestry and the "Soil Food Web".

On his return to Europe, he spent several years travelling around the continent, training and working in all aspects of Regenerative Agriculture, Forest Farming, Market gardening, Therapeutic Horticulture and much more.

Returning to Ireland in 2012, he helped set up a training garden on the DCU campus in Dublin. From 2016 to 2019, he managed the walled garden at Sonairte, Ireland's National Ecology Centre. Following this, he set up his own market garden and CSA in Dublin, where he also held workshops in all aspects of growing and self sufficiency.

Currently, he is heading up the growing operation at Lisnavagh and still teaches horticulture part-time, with CDETB in Dublin.

With over 15 years of experience in professional kitchens, Steve is a classically trained chef from Bristol, UK, whose cooking is rooted in a deep respect for seasonal, locally grown ingredients. Having worked in a field-to-fork kitchen, Steve developed a passion for showcasing produce at its freshest — a philosophy that continues to shape their approach to food today.

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Their career has also spanned wedding venues across Ireland, where they honed their craft in elegant, large-scale dining, and they have run their own vegetarian food truck and catering business, bringing vibrant, plant-focused dishes to a wide audience.

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Blending classical training with a creative, ingredient-led style, Steve celebrates simplicity, sustainability, and the true flavour of the seasons in every dish.

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Santina Kennedy – Food & Drink Consultant and Event Curator

Santina Kennedy is an award-winning Irish food and drink consultant, writer and event curator with over 15 years’ experience championing Ireland’s rich food heritage and artisan producers. With an MA in Gastronomy and Food Studies from TU Dublin, Santina specialises in creating memorable food experiences that celebrate the connection between food, culture, history and place.

A passionate advocate for Irish food tourism, she has curated and hosted events at prestigious venues across Ireland and is an ambassador for Wicklow Naturally. In 2025, she received the Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to promoting Irish artisan food and drink.

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