THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Hilary McClintock says she hopes there will be a lasting legacy for the North West after recent major successes for the region at the NI Year of Food and Drink Awards.
Speaking at a reception in the Guildhall to congratulate the winning local organisations including Council which led on Year of Food and Drink 2016 in the city and district, the Mayor said she was immensely proud that the North West had made such a strong impact at the Awards which were held to celebrate the achievements of Tourism NI’s 12-month campaign.
All three North West finalists won their respective categories – Derry City and Strabane District Council (Best NI Food Event, LegenDerry Food Festival); the Foodovation Centre at North West Regional College (Growing for the Future); and Cycle Sperrins, Far and Wild (Best NI Tours and Trails).
The judging panel hailed the LegenDerry Food Festival as a “massive success”, stating that “there was a huge effort from all involved to make it work.”
They commented that the Council-led festival “transformed the perception” of the North West in the Republic of Ireland and further afield.
The two-day food event, which attracted more than 36,000 visitors to Guildhall Square last year, showed “tireless effort and collaboration”, they added.
Awarding the city and North West the overall special prize, ‘Destination Delicious’, the judges noted that “Derry~Londonderry had evidently demonstrated how to successfully collaborate in a collective bid to progress the city and county into a food and hospitality destination for tourists and locals to enjoy.
“It had also succeeded in its role to help people learn more about local food and food producers. There was a clear effort to put local producers and restaurants on the map through an expert, collaborative approach.”
Recognising the recent successes in the Guildhall this week, Mayor McClintock said:
“It was a huge honour to accept two of these major awards on behalf of Council at a gala ceremony in the Culloden Hotel and take the opportunity again to congratulate the other winners, North West Regional College and Cycle Sperrins on their awards.
“I am confident that collectively we have enhanced our profile as an international tourism destination.”
Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to this year’s three-day LegenDerry Food Festival which takes place in Guildhall Square and the Guildhall as part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Spring Carnival on Friday March 17th, Saturday March 18th and Sunday March 19th from 12 noon until 6pm.
For further information, visit www.derrystrabane.com/food
