LOCAL food and drink was the topic on everybody’s lips last night as foodies from across Northern Ireland gathered in Derry’s Primrose on Strand Road for a celebratory food showcase promoting the fantastic array of local that is available on our doorstep.
“A Taste of LegenDerry” saw over 70 guests including food stakeholders from across the island of Ireland gathering together for an event to celebrate and promote the wide range of wonderful local producers in the region.
Guests were treated to Native Lough Foyle Oysters paired with Derry milk stout on arrival, followed by a six course tasting menu created entirely with local produce by Primrose head chef Bryn Evans.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr John Boyle, who attended the event on behalf of the Council, said he was delighted at the work being done by Council and partners to showcase the region’s high quality food produce.
He said events that showcase and promote the region as a top food and drink destination is a key objective of the Council’s Food and Drink Strategy and Food Network that are set to be launched next year.
He paid tribute to the proprietors of Primrose, Ciaran and Melanie Breslin, for hosting the event and for their positive contribution to promoting the city and wider North West region as a food destination.
He said: “The event is fantastic not only in highlighting the number of quality local producers we have on our doorstep but in celebrating the investment and commitment by local businesses in promoting local produce.
“Ciaran and Melanie Breslin are fantastic food ambassadors for this city, not only have they hosted this showcase event but they have shown real leadership and inspiration by working with other food businesses and producers to drive the city’s reputation as a food destination.”
Catherine Goligher, food tourism officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the Taste of LegenDerry event exceeded all expectations.
The standard of the food presented was excellent, and the energy that exists within the sector to continue to grow and build Derry as a Food Destination is inspirational.
The numbers in attendance tonight from our successful food industry figures is testament to that.
The food offering across the city and district continues to grow and through our work in developing the Food and Drink Strategy we are committed to engaging with a wide range of audiences to help us fuel the passion for food which is taking over the region
Ciaran and Melanie Breslin, proprietors of Primrose, who hosted the showcase event said they were hugely proud to be in a position to showcase the best of local produce to those involved in the food industry.
Melanie Breslin said: “The feedback from last night’s event has been hugely positive.
“We are delighted at the way all of the local producers have worked together to help us deliver this event and get the really positive message out about the high quality produce available across the North West and how the Legenderry food brand is making waves across the food industry in Northern Ireland.”
Michele Shirlow, CEO of Food NI described the Taste of Legenderry event as an uplifting and inspirational food experience. “This was a fantastic showcase of everything that is good about the food industry in the North West and a real example of food producers, restaurants and all aspects of the food industry working together to showcase and drive the city forward as a food destination.
“It also emphasises why Northern Ireland was worthy of winning best food destination in the world 2018 at the recent International Travel and Tourism Awards.”
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