Two of Waterford’s most celebrated food producers, both recent Gold Award winners at Blas na hÉireann 2025, have been announced as Food Ambassadors for Waterford Festival of Food, which takes place across Dungarvan and surrounding towns from April 24–26.
Mark Bergin of Coffee House Lane and Judit McNally of Cocoa by Judit Artisan Chocolates were selected in recognition of their excellence, innovation, and long-standing commitment to championing Waterford’s food producers, growers, and makers.
Eunice Power, CEO of Waterford Festival of Food, said Mark and Judith reflect the values at the heart of the festival. “As Gold medal winners at the Blas na hÉireann Awards, which is widely regarded as Ireland’s benchmark for artisan food excellence, Mark and Judit represent the very standard of quality and authenticity that Waterford Festival of Food aims to champion. The festival saw a natural opportunity for them to act as Food Ambassadors, as they share our ethos of collaboration, craftsmanship and pride in our community.”
Throughout the festival weekend, both ambassadors will have complimentary stalls at the festival each day, meeting visitors and showcasing their award-winning products. They will also deliver talks and cookery demonstrations in the popular Taste Demo Hub, sharing insights into their craft, their producer partnerships, and their journey to national recognition.
Mark Bergin grew up in the hospitality sector and discovered his passion for coffee while studying hotel management in Birmingham in the early 1990s. On returning to Ireland, he went on to establish Waterford’s first coffee roastery following Chapmans’ exit from the industry. Inspired by the city’s historic links to coffee roasting, he built Coffee House Lane into a multi award-winning brand, proudly roasting in Waterford city. Family-owned and operated, the business now employs 15 people locally and continues to grow year on year.
Judit McNally has been named a Festival Food Ambassador in recognition of both her personal achievements and her deep commitment to supporting Waterford’s artisan food community. Originally from Hungary, Judit was raised in a culture with strong food traditions, where craftsmanship, flavour, and shared meals played a central role in everyday life. Since moving to Ireland in 2003, she has built a respected career in food and hospitality in Dungarvan, running a café and confectionery business for nearly two decades.
Through her business, Cocoa by Judit Artisan Chocolates, she has collaborated extensively with farmers, food and spirit producers across the county, blending traditional techniques with creative innovation and a strong belief in local collaboration. Her Waterford Chocolate Selection was awarded Gold at Blas na hÉireann 2025, earning national recognition for her work.
Eunice continued, “Mark and Judit represent the excellent producers that we have in our region. They are both leaders in their fields, but also generous champions of others, and that spirit is central to what Waterford Festival of Food stands for. As Gold Award winners at Blas na hÉireann, they exemplify the standard of excellence we are proud to promote and celebrate.”
Reflecting on her ambassador role, Judit said: “It’s an honour to be asked to represent the wider food community who share a common passion for bringing local, quality offerings to Waterford and beyond.”
Mark Bergin added, “Waterford has a proud and evolving food and drink heritage. To see that recognised nationally at the festival, and to be part of championing the producers and people behind it, is something I’m very proud of.”
As Food Ambassadors, Mark Bergin and Judit McNally will support Waterford Festival of Food through public engagement, producer storytelling, media activity, and curated festival experiences, helping to shine a spotlight on the quality, creativity, and collaboration that define Waterford’s food culture today.
Waterford Festival of Food is one of Ireland’s largest and longest-running community food festivals. It celebrates the county’s rich culinary landscape, bringing together producers, chefs, and food lovers to showcase the very best of local and regional food and drink. The main hub for this three-day event is the scenic harbour town of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, with events also taking place in nearby Lismore, Ardmore, Villierstown, Ballyduff, Cappoquin, Kilmeaden and Waterford City, making it a unique showcase of the flavours and characters that define this vibrant food region.
Highlights from this year’s diverse programme include guided taste tours, kitchen table talks with influential voices from Ireland’s food scene and beyond, high-profile guest chef dining events, sustainability workshops, and pop-up experiences in unusual locations. There will also be foraging walks, food waste talks, bus tours to farms and mountains, live cooking demonstrations, and the festival’s famous market - Ireland’s largest outdoor market - in Dungarvan’s Market Square on the final day.
The programme will launch on May 12th with tickets going on sale the following week.
For more information, visit waterfordfestivaloffood.com or stay tuned on social media.
