Home to over 60% of the country's artisan food makers, Fáilte Ireland says that Co Cork, and in particular Cork city, is "uniquely positioned" to become a major food destination for international tourists.
Their comments come as the city celebrates the success of its latest tourism initiative, the 'Cork on a Fork' food festival.
Piloted last year, the five-day Cork City Council festival now includes some 100 events with the support of local traders and food producers.
The festival opened on Wednesday night with a street event on Princes Street for 100 diners showcasing some of the delights that are on offer.
With tourism worth just short of €1bn annually to the economy of Co Cork, the festival is another step towards optimising this major economic driver in the region.
The 'Cork on a Fork' initiative is also supported by Fáilte Ireland as part of their plans to develop Cork city as a food destination and as Ireland's food capital.
Brian O'Flynn, Head of Fáilte Ireland's Ancient East, says that the city has unique strengths which put it in pole position to claim the title.
"In excess of 60% of the artisanal producers in the country are currently within the county of Cork, so it is uniquely positioned to be Ireland's food capital - because it is that," he said.
"But I suppose that it is activities, and festivals like this, that help bring that to life for the visitor in a really engaging and unique way."
The goal is to encourage visitors to the city to stay longer, and push "the average two night stay, as it is currently, to three or more".
"You are then talking about a 30% increase in the local economic contribution ", Mr O'Flynn notes, which "ultimately sustains jobs in local communities across the country".
For Claire Nash, of Nash 19 Restaurant, Covid-19 taught everyone just how fortunate they were to live and work where they do, with local access to the world class cuisine, including seafood, dairy and artisan.
"We already have had a super tourist season, and we are going to copper-fasten that with running this event (A Taste of Princes Street) and running this festival for years to come. Obviously, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland will hopefully showcase Cork as your food destination."
Cork City Council was the first local authority in the country to embrace the concept of outdoor dining during the pandemic, pedestrianising some 17 city centre streets.
The city council believes the 'Cork On A Fork' festival and the development of the city as the country's food capital is a huge opportunity for the local economy, and for businesses in Cork.
Fearghal Reidy, Director of Strategic and Economic Development for the city, says that the local authority is also in the process of appointing a Night-Time Economy Advisor.
The move is a step towards "acknowledging the importance of the night-time (economy) and trying to diversify it so that everybody feels welcome in Cork - all ages - an inclusive city to enjoy," he said.
