The Mayor Brenda Stevenson, is serenaded by the “Singing Chefs” at the Foyle Seafood Festival in Guildhall Square.
Seafood was on the menu over the weekend in Derry as the city staged the two-day Flavours of the Foyle Festival.
Thousands whet their appetites sampling the variety of seafood dishes offered at the boulevard of local chefs, while live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs took place on the kitchen stage within the festival marquee featuring the likes of G8’s Chef Noel McMeel, Paula McIntyre, Resident Chef on BBC Ulster and RTE’s ‘No Salt Chef’ Brian McDermott.
The rain did not dampen spirits as festival goers spotted comedy chefs literally singing in the rain, and land loving mermaid Spreya, splashing about in puddles in Guildhall Square.
The Mayor Brenda Stevenson with Spreya, the Mermaid
Hailing the event as a tremendous success Mayor Cllr Brenda Stevenson said: “Flavours of the Foyle is a distinctive festival, one which focuses on providing a two day event for food lovers and families whilst importantly highlighting the wealth of seafood that we have right here in the North West Region and in the city.
“The dishes that the chefs created with the local produce was inspiring and I myself picked up an abundance of cooking tips plus now have a greater awareness of shopping from local producers which I will be promoting endlessly.
“Once again the city proved its versatility in delivering this type of specialised festival and I want to thank Derry City Council for organising along with the range of sponsors for their support including the Loughs Agency and Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme (NIRFP).”
Owner of award winning Browns Restaurant and Irish Chef of the Year 2013, Ian Orr said it had been a great weekend for local restaurants and producers.
He added: “The festival once again was really outstanding in terms of providing a platform for local chefs to display the calibre of food available here in the city, and a chance for them to show off their fine culinary skills.”
The celebration of local produce continues with the Flavours of the Foyle Seafood Trail in which 14 local restaurants offer a specially designed fish dish every night this week until Saturday.
For full details on Seafood Trail menus at participating restaurants this week visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/seafood/seafood-trail.
The Mayor Brenda Stevenson, on her visit to the Foyle Seafood Festival in Guildhall Square, pictured with Mary Blake, festival organiser, Michelle Shirlow, with Food NI and community chef Brian McDermott.
