FOOD TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT THE YOGA PICNIC AS 'COOK WITH KIA' SERVES UP A FEAST OF WELLNESS

FOOD TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT THE YOGA PICNIC AS 'COOK WITH KIA' SERVES UP A FEAST OF WELLNESS

Ireland's leading wellness festival expands its food offering with an exciting new 

interactive kitchen powered entirely by Kia electric vehicles

Pictured: Alice Harrison, Katy Harrison and Mary Gardiner (founders of The Yoga Picn

 

Wellness doesn't end on the yoga mat!  Increasingly, nutrition is recognised as one of the most important foundations of physical health, mental wellbeing and longevity, and this year's Yoga Picnic is putting nourishing food firmly at the heart of the festival experience.

Returning to the beautiful lakeside setting of Lilliput House on the shores of Lough Ennell, Co. Westmeath on Saturday, 4th July, Ireland's leading wellness festival is introducing an exciting new addition for 2026 – the ‘Cook With Kia Kitchen’, an interactive culinary space where some of Ireland's best-loved chefs, food creators and nutrition advocates will host live cookery demonstrations throughout the day.

 

In a unique demonstration of sustainability in action, the entire kitchen will be powered by Kia's innovative electric vehicle technology, reflecting the festival's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while showcasing practical, future-focused solutions. The pioneering kitchen is another example of how The Yoga Picnic continues to blend innovation, sustainability, and wellbeing in one unforgettable experience.

 

Festival-goers can expect a full programme of inspiring demonstrations celebrating wholesome, flavour-packed cooking, with chefs and food personalities including Emer Simms, Samantha Forrest, Ciara Turley (@thetummyfairy), Alannah Sheehan (@worthfightingfor), Irish Mammy Cooks, and many more sharing practical recipes, cooking tips and ideas for making nutritious food part of everyday life. Throughout the day, visitors will discover simple ways to create meals that nourish both body and mind while learning from some of Ireland's most exciting voices in healthy cooking.

 

The addition of the Cook With Kia Kitchen reflects the growing interest that people have that wellness is about far more than movement alone. From supporting gut health and boosting energy levels to improving mood, hormone balance and overall wellbeing, good nutrition has become an essential pillar of modern health. The Yoga Picnic's expanded food programme encourages visitors to view cooking not simply as a daily task, but as an act of self-care, creativity, and connection.

Founded by friends, sisters and yoga teachers Alice Harrison, Mary Gardiner and Katy Harrison, The Yoga Picnic has grown from a small, grassroots gathering into one of Ireland's most respected wellness festivals, attracting visitors from across Ireland and overseas for a unique celebration of movement, mindfulness, music, and community.

 

This year's fifth anniversary festival features more than 100 experiences across the day, including internationally renowned teachers Tara Judelle, Michael James Wong, Adam Husler and Hannah Barrett, alongside leading Irish practitioners in women's health, breathwork, herbal medicine, nervous system regulation, and holistic wellbeing.

 

There are also exciting new additions throughout the festival, including a dedicated Reformer Pilates Tent, the magical new evening woodland venue Ceol sa Choill, where festival-goers can celebrate under the trees with DJ Zaneta and DJ Medalla, family-friendly yoga and children's activities, the ever-popular lakeside Uisce Spa with wood-fired saunas, hot tubs and cold-water immersion, together with sound healing, poetry, music, astrology, artisan makers, forest experiences and community gatherings.

As the sun sets over Lough Ennell, attendees will once again gather by the lakeshore for a moving closing concert led by musician, folklorist and yoga teacher Jack Harrison, bringing together music, Celtic tradition, and community in a fitting finale to Ireland's most uplifting day of wellness.

 

Mary Gardiner of The Yoga Picnic said, "Wellness is about so much more than exercise. It's about how we nourish ourselves every single day, and food plays such an important role in supporting our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We're incredibly excited to introduce Cook With Kia this year because it brings together sustainability, education and fantastic food in an interactive way. Whether people come for the yoga, the cooking, the music or simply to spend time together, we hope everyone leaves feeling inspired."

Adult day passes are available from €95. For further information and tickets visit www.theyogapicnic.com

 

press release