Electric Picnic is kicking off a little early this year, with the music and arts festival taking place from Thursday 15 - Sunday 18 of August in its usual home of Stradbally, Co. Laois.
As well as an incredible line-up of comedy and music, EP will play host to crafting haven Green Crafts, fun and games at Trailer Park, fascinating podcasts in MindField, a new stage with ISL interpreters, plus the incredible Theatre of Food.
Returning for its 16th year under the curation of Samuel McKenna, the Theatre of Food aims to champion Irish food and drink producers, chefs, food writers, drink experts - all while cooking up some home-grown produce.
During an on-site media preview, McKenna told the press that he hopes to "showcase what our beautiful country has to offer in terms of food and its culture".
The weekend will have everything from Michelin star chefs, expert tips for fish and chips, a double-bill of drink-themed theatre, sensational sommeliers, conversations with wine book authors, and a brand new 'Cluck-Off' which will see Dublin competitiors Chimac and Bahay put their fried chicken to the test.
"It will be Filipino versus Korean in the best of Irish chicken," he beamed.
One tent over, food and drinks writer Aoife Carrigy will be curating a celebration of "brilliant people doing amazing things within the drinks culture of Ireland".
"We have an action-packed weekend," she promised. "It's lovely to have a dedicated space to celebrate Irish drinks culture."
Pushing aside the stereotypical idea of pints and crisps (although a blind tasting of this combination will be on offer), the tent will have a wide range of delicious non-alcoholic options.
"As our food culture has developed, so has our beverage culture," Aoife insisted.
From kombuchas and juice-based wine alternatives, to sparkling mead and international coffees, there will be a huge range of 'no and low' options on offer.
"We're doing the United Nations of Coffee," Carrigy told RTÉ Lifestyle. "We have Shannon from The Collector down in Kinsale, who does globally-inspired coffees. She's being joined by Izz from Izz Cafe, a Palestenian café in Cork, and he'll be talking about the coffee culture in Palestine."
"It's really broad," she continued. "When we say 'Irish drink culture' that includes Palestenian coffee being served in Cork.
"It's trying to capture all of the stories and all of the different experiences and tastes and flavours that are made up in that culture."
