Eat, drink and be merry in '˜food city' this month

Food producers, restaurateurs, brewers and critics will descend on the Guildhall next week for a special '˜Taste Our Best' culinary showcase in Londonderry '˜food city.'

Tourism Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Mary Blake, who organised the event, said the day would offer some invaluable advice for local chefs and producers.

“I would really recommend the event for anyone working in the industry as it will offer the opportunity for them to find out more about the many ways they can engage with the programme for NI Year of Food,” she said.

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“I am delighted to welcome so many influential figures who will explore various aspects of the industry. This is a fantastic year of opportunity for our local food businesses and I hope to see a great turn out on the day. This year the theme is ‘Love Local’ and the focus is on the use of high quality locally produced ingredients, cooked to the highest standards. We are inviting chefs, producers and real foodies to register their interest. Places are limited so booking is essential.”

The organisers are delighted to welcome among the top speakers, Charlie Turnbull, whose success in the cheese industry in Dorset has led to him becoming a judge in the World Cheese Awards.

A number of local businesses will also be speaking at the event including Martina Rogers from Northbound Brewery who will talk about her passion for the production of craft beer and the journey towards establishing a successful craft brewery. She will be joined by Sean Harrigan from the Sooty Olive whose travels to locations like Iceland and Sweden have added an international twist to the locally sourced ingredients which the restaurant prides itself on.

As a director of Slow Food UK and Chair of Slow Food NI local chef Paula McIntyre will be looking at the shifting focus from fast food to slow, and the resulting movement which has recently seen the establishment of a new NW Slow Food Convivium for the region.

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A whole host of top local foodies will be there including Derry based chef and food writer Emmett McCourt, whose growing international profile is carrying the local message far and wide. Donal Doherty from Harry’s Restaurant, Una Kinkaid from Pier 59 Seafood Restaurant and Simon Dougan from the Yellow Door will also be on hand to talk about the importance of celebrating local produce.

For more information on the Industry Development Day and the full Enterprise Week programme go to www.derrystrabane.com/enterpriseweek