Taste the City’s Producers Showcase will profile the best of Northern Irish produce that flavours the city centre’s most loved dishes. Alongside the producers’ market, we will have a handpicked selection of the city’s favourite chefs who will be cooking up a storm and showcasing your produce with food demos across the weekend. This free to attend event will include live music between demos as well as family friendly activities.

Belfast Restaurant Week will take place from 23 to 29 September as part of the island-wide Taste the Island initiative which runs from 1 September to 30 November 2019.

 

To express your interest in participating in this event please complete the below form and return to

lesley@theeventor.com by Friday 30th August 2019

 

BRW19 Taste The City Trader_Form

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has unveiled a unique programme of food and drink experiences, planned to run from June to December 2019.

With several exciting events, festivals and tasting experiences scheduled to take place across Hillsborough, Moira, Lisburn and Dundonald, food lovers from across Northern Ireland and those travelling from further afield have plenty to look forward to over the coming months.

The 2019 LCCC Food and Drink Programme was officially launched at The StillHouse of Moira and the line-up includes a number of larger scale events happening across the Council area including the popular Hillsborough Farmers’ Markets and Moira’s Speciality Food Fair, which this year is spreading its wings and running for 2 days (17th and 18th August) as part of a newly created Moira Festival.

There will be a series of ticketed intimate events including a ‘Global Cuisine’ themed series of cookery classes, a ‘Winter Drinks Masterclass’ and a ‘Long Table Dining’ experience, hosted over the coming months by chefs, producers and hospitality providers from within the Lisburn Castlereagh area.

Commenting on the exciting Food & Drink Programme, newly elected Chairman of the council’s Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, said,

“We are delighted to be able to coincide the launch our 2019 Food & Drink Programme at the start of the summer season of food markets and festivals. This year we have introduced several smaller, more intimate events and masterclasses across the council area that will give local talented traders the opportunity to showcase their produce. I would encourage you get to your tickets for the ‘meet the maker’ events that tickle your taste buds.

“The Moira Festival will start on Thursday 15th August with a programme that includes a Meet the Producer themed supper in Wine and Brine, designed and cooked by Chef Chris McGowan; a comedy evening in the Distillery at The StillHouse; and a Family Fun and Music Street Party in Moira on Friday 16th August.”

Alderman Ewart added: “The council is delighted that the ever-popular Hillsborough Farmers’ and Christmas Markets, and the Speciality Food Fair will return once again to Dark Walk at Hillsborough Fort and Moira Demesne. It is also excited to be hosting two new food events this autumn: ‘Festival of Food’ in Lisburn and ‘Taste the Harvest’ in Dundonald. Over the coming months we look forward to seeing how our Food & Drink Programme rolls out. We would encourage all families, friends and food enthusiasts from across the country to attend and get a real taste of what Lisburn Castlereagh has to offer.”

Following the official launch of the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Food and Drink Programme, the second Hillsborough Farmers’ Market of the season will take place on Saturday 29th June at the Dark Walk, Hillsborough Fort. With up to 40 stalls, visitors can once again expect a range of seasonal produce with additional offerings including horticulture and handmade organic skincare and crafts. Marketgoers will experience a delicious array of fresh, artisan foods and home-grown favourites from traders such as Indie Fude, Barn and Bread, Castlescreen Farm, among others.

NOW OPEN

Tourism NI’s Taste the Island Tourism Events Scheme for 2019 is now open for applications and will close on 8 July 2019 at 12 noon. Event organisers wishing to apply to the Scheme are encouraged to do so as early as possible to ensure the deadline is not missed. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

It is advised that all applicants refer to Guidelines for Applicants before starting their application.

Apply now at tourismni.com/events.

To be eligible to apply to the Taste the Island Tourism Events Scheme 2019 events must satisfy the below parameters:

• Total visitor numbers greater than 1,000
• Events must have an overall minimum income of £30,000 through ticket sales, private sponsorship, other public sector, merchandise etc (prior to receiving support from Tourism NI)
• Events must have an overall minimum expenditure of £30,000 (prior to receiving support from Tourism NI)
• Demonstrate how the event will showcase the authentic Northern Ireland food and/or drink (new or uplift of existing element/s)
• Demonstrate how the event will support, promote and celebrate Taste the Island initiative
• Sponsorship support available £3,000 (inclusive of VAT) –  £10,000 (inclusive of VAT)
• In-kind support not included in the budget

If you have any queries, please contact Tourism NI Events Team on eventsunit@tourismni.com or call 028 90441656.

Get set for a scrumptious summer as a transformed Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, County Down, invites visitors to its first ever food festival, hosted in partnership with BBC Good Food and supported by Tourism Northern Ireland.

 

Set in 100 acres of stunning Castle grounds from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July, visitors can enjoy a majestic day out at the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Food Festival. Grab a bite to eat from our amazing selection of street food, savour a drink from one of the pop-up bars or choose tasty treats to take home.

 

Visit the Discover Northern Ireland Tasting Theatre hosted by leading Northern Ireland chef Paula McIntyre and explore the array of artisan produce, street food and pop-up bars with the stunning Castle as a backdrop.

 

Enjoy live cookery demonstrations, with top culinary tips from local chefs, including Danni Barry of Balloo House, James Devine from Yellow Door and Paul Cunningham from Brunel’s. International chefs will also be attending, including Nadiya Hussain, Dr Rupy Aujla and Chris Bavin. There’ll also be music, face painting and kids’ entertainment on the bandstand, adding to the family festival atmosphere.

 

Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, said, “We are delighted to be hosting these predominantly local food and drink producers at the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Food Festival for the first time this year. The newly transformed Castle and gardens provide the perfect weekend setting for a foodie extravaganza for all the family to enjoy.

 

“Along with street food and artisan producers to whet the appetite, visitors will also be able to sample the fresh local produce of the Castle gardens in the newly opened café. Visitors can also make a day of it by exploring the Castle’s history, brought to life on guided tours led by the Castle’s team of expert explainers. With so much on offer throughout the weekend there is truly something for everyone.”

 

Adult festival tickets including access to the gardens and a 45-minute guided tour of the Hillsborough Castle state rooms start at £17.50, while adult festival tickets with gardens only access start at £13.90. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members. Family ticket options are also available. People are advised to book early as tickets are selling fast.

 

To book tickets and for more information on Hillsborough Castle and Gardens,visit:  http://hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle

 

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has been completely transformed by independent charity Historic Royal Palaces after five years and a £24 million investment – supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous donors. Greeting visitors upon arrival is a new visitor centre complete with café and shop. Meanwhile new access and learning facilities will host schools and community programmes reaching out to the widest possible audience.