Celebrity chef Anna Haugh brings a taste of Ireland to BBC audiences across Britain in new series

A new fifteen-part TV series Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour, fronted by celebrity chef Anna Haugh and supported by Tourism Ireland, will begin airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday (5 May). 

Each episode sees Anna visit a different location, where she’s joined by a celebrity guest. Together, they meet the people behind the local produce and sample an array of the delicious ingredients and flavours Ireland has to offer.  

In the first episode, Canadian comedian and actress Katherine Ryan joins Anna in Cork, where she reflects on childhood memories of her Irish grandmother’s ‘over-boiled and under-seasoned meals’. On a mission to impress, Anna takes inspiration from Ballymaloe Cookery School and Cork’s iconic English Market to create a tasty modern dish for her celebrity guest.  

As she travels across Ireland, Anna will be joined by other well-known faces, including presenters Angela Scanlon and Laura Whitmore, actor Ian McElhinney, rugby legend Bundee Aki and singers Una Healy and Shayne Ward, who’ll be sharing their own Irish food memories and helping Anna prepare a special meal. Episodes will air each weekday for three weeks. 

Judith Cassidy, Tourism Ireland’s Acting Head of Great Britain, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to support the production of ‘Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour’. It’s a really excellent showcase for Ireland's superb culinary offering and beautiful landscapes.”

Commenting on the series, Anna Haugh said: “Irish food is my passion and it’s a passion that took me from Dublin to London to pursue my dreams. In this series, I am returning home to rediscover what is incredible and unique about Irish food.”