Grown up hen parties and bridal showers are becoming more popular with brides and bridesmaids now opting for more diverse and personalised parties rather than the traditional boozy night out. If you're like me and have a foodie hen to impress, we have rounded up 10 great foodie hen party ideas around Dublin and Ireland. From underground supper clubs and food trails, to chocolate making workshops and baking classes, there's quite the eclectic mix here for those looking for something different. These hen party ideas are also great for those hens inviting their mums, aunties and even younger guests along for the evening.
1. Private Dining by Smyth and Barry
Fancy a fun little dinner party but want to leave all the cooking to the professionals? How about a Foodie evening by our partners Smyth and Barry? The lovely Anne and Katy can offer styling, sourcing and full service planning options to make sure your hen party is a beautiful success. They will plan, style, set up and run your event – from lighting candles and stringing up lights, to laying the table or even finding the perfect playlist for your event - so all that’s left for you to do is kick back and relax with your girls and enjoy the tasty treats on offer! To find out more check out smythandbarry.com.
2. The Open Door Supper Club
The Open Door Super Club is a secret Come Dine With Me style foodie night. uses only fresh, foraged and seasonal produce to create their unique dishes. The club runs monthly and is a 7 course culinary adventure in a Victorian house close to Dublin city centre. If you are looking for a fun, out of the ordinary, dining experience where you will fill your belly with tasty delights, The Open Door Supper Club is perfect. Bookings go fast and spaces are limited so if you are a small hen party group this may suit. To find out more check out www.theopendoorfood.com.
3. Dublin Tapas Trail
Love Tapas? Then you will love the Dublin Tapas Trail. The trail is a 3 hour walking tour of Dublin taking in the culture and history of the city with a spread of tapas and a glass of wine in each restaurant on the trail. The trail is not just about history, you and your ladies will also find out what is happening in Dublin, where to go and the best places to see. Perfect for foodie hens coming from outside of Dublin or even for Dublin hens who want to see a hidden side of the city! Find out more at www.tapastrail.com.
4. Food Foraging Workshop
Set in beautiful Carlow under the Blackstairs Mountains, the Blackstairs Eco Trails is a foodie hen with a difference. Starting the day off with a delicious brunch and then armed with a basket, you and your hens set off around the beautiful gardens to forage for edible finds and maybe even make a flower crown or two along the way. If it’s raining, they even give you a pretty pink raincoat and a pair of wellies to wear! Once everyone has a full basket from the garden, it’s back to the kitchen for some cooking. Guide and foraging queen, Mary, will then show you what goodies you can make with your finds, from pesto, fritters, salads and tabouleh to even sugared petals for cake decorating and specially flavoured gin. www.blackstairsecotrails.ie
5. Chocolate Making Workshops
What bride and her best gal pals wouldn't want to spend an evening making and eating chocolates! Chocolate Heaven at Lorge Chocolatier in Co. Kerry, The Chocolate Warehouse in Dublin 12 and The Chocolate Garden of Ireland in Co. Carlow all offer fun and chocolate filled workshops with hands-on demos. For the full chocolate experience why not book a spot on the ultimate guided tour at the Butlers Chocolate Experience, where you will get a-behind-the-scenes tour of the famous chocolate factory with lots of chocolate treats along the way. Alternatively, check out a Butlers Chocolate cookery demo on selected dates with Ballymaloe trained chef, Yvonne Carty.www.butlerschocolates.com
6. A Fashionable Food Trail
Fancy a guided shopping tour of Dublin with a some posh nibbles along the way? That's exactly what Fab Food Trails offer with a two and a half hour fashionable walkabout in Dublin. You and the ladies will be tasting fab food and finding great style from emerging and established fashion designers in both new and old boutiques. Food, fun and fashion, what more could you want! Fab Food Trails also run foodie trails in Cork and Kilkenny. www.fabfoodtrails.ie
7. Baking Classes at The Cake Cafe
Want to learn how to bake? Chic Dublin cafe and bakery, The Cake Cafe offer weekend baking classes where you can learn to bake bread, make pastry and desserts, then take a box of the baked goods home at the end of class as well as a copy of The Cake Cafe Bake Book. The cafe also offers Hen Party tapas evenings if you fancy sitting back and having a glass of wine with some delicious Spanish plates. www.thecakecafe.ie
8. Make your Own Sushi
Love sushi? Now you and your besties can learn how to make sushi from scratch with the Sushi Workshop at Cooks Academy in Dublin or at Raw in the Radisson, Galway. Enjoy a fun evening crafting delicious sushi and get hands-on experience from top chefs on how to make sushi rolls with some guaranteed giggles and nibbles along the way. The sushi workshop is the perfect evening for your bride and her group of aspiring chefs! www.cooksacademy.com. For a really authentic experience, why not have a Japanese theme complete with Kimonos!
9. Wine and Champagne Tasting Evening
Wine & Champagne tasting evenings are a stylish hen party activity for the ladies who like their fine vino and bubbles. The perfect experience to enjoy giggles and chats as well as learn the difference between your merlots from your proseccos or your bruts from demi-secs. Find out more about these evenings at Dublin Wine Tasting.
10. Stay at Home Fun with A Pot Luck Supper
A pot luck dinner party is great idea for hen parties on a budget. The rules are simple: everyone brings a special dish along to the host's house. You could choose a theme like a Mexican, old-school American, Asian, French or Italian or simple 'Pot Luck' and just pull out your best recipe to impress. As it's a special occasion, remember the decor, like individual name cards, floral arrangements and games. With a large guestlist, it's a good idea to assign responsibility for courses e.g. two people bring starters, two people bring mains etc, so there's a nice variety on offer. Add in some bubbles and fun games and it will defo be a night to remember!
Make sure to check out our previous Hen Party posts for more unique and unusual hen party ideas and advice on how to throw the perfect party as well as our Advice on Planning the Perfect Hen Party. Also, check out our Tea Party style Hen parties, perfect for the vintage loving bride!
Images credits: Sarahdipity Photos via Inspired by This | Rangoli | Half A Dream Away | My Chocolate | Takayo | Delbarr Moradi | Sylvia G Photo
