Mescan Brewery announces Oktoberfest West Saturday October 5th 2019, 1 pm till closing time

There’s no need to go to Munich this year to experience the fun of Oktoberfest. Instead try Oktoberfest West in Westport with Mescan Brewery!

Enjoy the best of beer, bratwurst and Bavariana in Gracy's Bar, at Westport House, on Saturday 5th October. This is the fourth incarnation of the popular festival which combines craft beer, music and food in an ideal setting.

It’s a confident declaration by the artisan brewing company, particularly in the face of both Dublin and Cork cancelling their Oktoberfest events.

Mescan Brewery are teaming up with local chefs to bring festival goers the best bratwurst outside Germany to complement their specially brewed Oktoberfest Beer. In the best Oktoberfest tradition the beer is served in an array of steins in all shapes and sizes. Mescan plan to keep the dancing going all day long with a great mix of live bands and leading European Oktoberfest DJs, Johan und Paul, flown in specially for the event.

Mescan Microbrewery brewing Belgian style beers in Westport, County Mayo,
was set up by 2 former veterinarians, one Belgian and one Irish!

The venue is easily accessed on foot from Westport Town and drivers will be happy to know there’s ample free parking onsite. Gracy’s Bar is a bar and pizza restaurant in converted farm buildings on the Westport House estate.

Irishman Cillian Ó Móráin and Belgian national Bart Adons,
fouders of Mescan Brewery, in their Lederhosen for Oktoberfest West! 

Oktoberfest West is part of the Fáilte Ireland Taste the Island campaign. Full details will be posted on Facebook leading up to the event. No tickets are required and entry is free. Dirndls and lederhosen are optional but they'll definitely help to get you in the mood for the party!

For more details and updates, keep an eye on their social media at
https://www.facebook.com/mescanbrewery/ on Facebook
and https://twitter.com/mescanbrewery on Twitter

zack

Lough Foyle Irish Flat Oyster to be the star of Northern Ireland's only Slow Food Festival

Derry City has been making great strides over the last few years at establishing itself as a ‘food destination’ and a huge effort has gone into creating this year’s extended Slow Food Festival which takes place from  9 – 13 October 2019!

This year, the Lough Foyle Irish Flat Oyster is the star of Northern Ireland's only Slow Food Festival, which is also planning to be their biggest festival to date.

The "Walled City" of Derry has won numerous awards for this event in previous year, including ‘NI Food and Drink Experience of the Year 2018’ from Tourism NI and ‘Best Tourism Event’ at the North West Business Awards.

You can expect the best of local produce over the course of the festival which has been extended to five days from two to allow visiting foodies a greater opportunity to sample the best the North West has to offer, including the exclusive Lough Foyle Irish Flat Oyster.

One of the highlights is the show-stopping Taste of LegenDerry Slow Food Dining Experience. Over the course of the evening, guests will come together at long tables to experience flavours from the shores of Lough Foyle to the foot of the Sperrins, all paired with locally crafted beers. Local producers and suppliers will be on hand to discuss the menu.


The tastes of the North West will be given an Italian twist during ‘Cena di Venti Miglia’ at Nonna’s when antipasti, pizzas and matching beers will be sourced from within 20 miles of the restaurant.

The festival will be the perfect launching pad for Foyster LegenDerry Oyster Stout while a beer masterclass, beer & cheese tour, food tour of Derry and walking tour of Dart Mountain to see the art of craft cheese production all offer unique food experiences.


There will also be demos and masterclasses with television chefs Catherine Fulvio and Jenny Bristow as well as local chefs hosted by Northern Ireland’s Slow Food Director and celebrity chef in her own right, Paula McIntyre, along with street food and the central Harvest Market marquee.

 Chefs Catherine Fulvio, Jenny Bristow and Paula McIntyre will be cooking at Slow Food Derry 2019 

Family events offer children the chance to get on board the slow food movement with a ‘Heart of the Park’ wild cookery experience when ingredients from the garden in St Columb’s Park will be used by kids who then design and cook their own campfire food. Elsewhere, an urban beekeeper will be on hand, as well as loads of other great food and fun!


Visit: www.derrystrabane.com/food for the full programme and booking information.

Food On The Edge Team launch #FOTE2019 Programme

The programme for Food On The Edge 2019 was officially unveiled at a launch event this evening in the Druid Theatre, Galway to coincide with Culture Night 2019.

Opening the first day of talks will be Shinobu Namae (L’Effervescence, Tokyo), with chef Alex Atala (D.O.M, São Paulo) closing the first day. Opening Tuesday’s talks will be Australian chef Ben Shewry (Attica, Melbourne) who will present a ‘Food Story’ titled ‘Shut Up and Listen’, with Alberto Landgraf (Oteque, Rio de Janeiro) closing the event.

Newly announced speaker chef Rosio Sanchéz of Hija de Sanchéz, Copenhagen will speak on Tuesday afternoon, with director and producer of Netflix’s Chef’s Table Brian McGinn speaking on his highly acclaimed and popular series on Tuesday morning.

The main theme for 2019 is ‘Migration’ - looking at how food travels and howthat affects people's perception of food. Speakers discussing this theme include Derry Clarke (l’Ecrivain, Dublin) on ‘Invasive Crops’; Arlene Stein (Terroir Talk, Berlin) on ‘#noborders: Food as a Tool for Diplomacy’; Paul Carroll (Polly, Vladimir) on ‘From Tallaght to Tsar’ and Josh Niland (Saint Peter, Sydney) on ‘Beyond the Fillet’.

Further ‘Conversations’ — a returning theme this year — are on the line-up, and include chefs Darina Allen and Rachel Allen (Ballymaloe Cookery School, Cork) speaking about ‘Irish Food: Past, Present and Our Vision for the Future’ on Monday morning. Chefs Matt Orlando and Kim Wejendorp (AMASS, Copenhagen) will be discussing ‘Responsible Deliciousness’, and British food writer and author Allan Jenkins will also speak on Tuesday afternoon.

Chef chef Tom Brown fromCornerstone, Hackney, London

‘Food Story’ talks on the line-up include chef Tom Brown (Cornerstone, Hackney) on ‘Meanwhile in East London, Lunatics Open a Restaurant’; Leonor Espinosa (LEO and MISIA, Columbia) on ‘Integral Gastronomy Centers: An Alternative Model of Community Development in Columbia’; and Selassie Atadika (Mindunu, Ghana) on ‘This Is Africa’ .

The Masterclasses, which are sponsored by Chef Network, will return again in 2019. They be led by selected speakers including Will Goldfarb - ‘Revisiting Personal Pastry Through a Local Literary Lens’; Matt Orlando, Tiago Falcone and Tom Delaney - ‘The Intersection of Food and Beer’; Sophia Hoffmann - ‘The Seven Seas of Deliciousness - Discovering The Endless Joy of Plant Based Cooking’; and Douglas McMaster - ‘Nu Waste’. These sessions are limited to 50 people and early arrival is recommended.


The FOTE 2019 Programme is available to download here.


Food On The Edge symposium director JP McMahon said, “The topics at this year’s Food On The Edge are diverse and designed to foster conversation and build bridges. This year’s main theme will focus on the issue of migration, as we question the idea of what it means to be local and how people moving from place to place has defined us and shaped our food culture. We will also be looking at themes of waste, social gastronomy, education, and kitchen culture.”

JP McMahon (3rd from left) with the Food On The Edge 2019 Team at the Official Launch

Six people who are working to change the landscape of Irish food were selected as Food On The Edge Ambassadors for 2019. The Ambassadors - Paula Stakelum (Ashford Castle), Chad Byrne (Chef Collab), Annette Sweeney (TU Dublin), Ronan Fox (Mayo General Hospital), Deirdre Doyle (Cool Food School) and Devin O’Sullivan (FEAST) - will take part in a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Moving Food On The Edge Forward into New Realms’ which will be moderated by Mark Anderson (Gather & Gather).

Another panel discussion is ‘Migration and the Nordic Food Movement’ with Bo Bech (Restaurant Geist, København), Nicolai Norregaard (Kadeau, København), and Esben Bang (Maaemo, Oslo) which will be moderated by JP McMahon.

Darina Allen and rachel Allen (pictured here with the late Myrtle Allen) will discuss
"Irish Food: Past, Present and our Vision for the Future"

Food On The Edge delegates will get to experience an Artisan Food Village which will showcase the best of Irish produce from more than 60 top Irish producers.

The venue for Food On The Edge 2019 is the Bailey Allen Hall at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG). The masterclasses will take place in the Bank of Ireland Theatre next door. The symposium will be a mix of 15-minute talks, panel discussions and hands-on masterclass sessions. The event will start at 9:00am on both days, with registration opening from 8:00am.

A two-day ticket costs €400, a two-day student tickets costs €350, and group rates are available for groups of 6+, 10+ and 20+. Tickets can be purchased at www.foodontheedge.ie.

Gather & Gather and Fáilte Ireland are principal sponsors for Food On The Edge 2019. San Pellegrino are returning as major sponsors, along with new major sponsors, Galway Bay Brewery.


For more information see www.foodontheedge.ie. Check out @FoodOnTheEdge on social media and follow the official hashtag #FOTE2019 for regular updates.

Roguey Pale Ale to be launched at new Bia Bundoran Festival

A brand new Roguey Pale Ale produced by  Donegal Brewing Company is inspired by the famous bracing 4.5km Roguey Walk which hugs the coastline of Bundoran in south west Donegal. The ale "captures the refreshment you feel as you stroll along this stunning headland" with its breathtaking views of Donegal Bay on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Roguey Pale Ale will be only available exclusively in Bundoran across the festival weekend!

Brendan O’Reilly of Donegal Brewing Company in Ballyshannon, brewers of the Roguey Pale Ale, said, "we’ve been working with Discover Bundoran for the past number of months on a beer that is unique to the town and that we could launch as part of the new Bia Bundoran Food & Drink festival. We’re delighted to have come up with a pale ale named after one of the most famous walks in the county. It will be available as a limited edition for the weekend of Bia Bundoran in various outlets across Bundoran in bottle and on tap."

Roguey Pale Ale is inspired by the famous Roguey Cliff Walk in Bundoran

Organiser of Bia Bundoran, Tourism Officer Shane Smyth added "we are absolutely thrilled to have a new Bundoran beer exclusive to the festival – one that will celebrate the uniqueness of the locality and of course the warm welcome that awaits you here! I’d like to thank Brendan and the team at Donegal Brewing Company for their cooperation in making this happen. There’s lots of different food and drink related events across the weekend and we’re delighted that so many of the food trade in town have come on board for the very first Bia Bundoran.”

Bundoran Tourism Officer, Shane Smyth, with Brendan Reilly of Donegal Brewing Company

Events during Bia Bundoran begin on Friday afternoon, September 20th and run through until Sunday 22nd. Many of the food outlets in Bundoran will be offering special deals and discounts on dishes – with some created especially for the festival. 

All the up to date information can be found on the website www.discoverbundoran.com/bia and you can keep up to date on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/discoverbundoran

Embracing Local at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon on Sunday October 20th

The Abbey Hotel Roscommon will host a unique Taste the Island event in the Abbey Ballroom on Sunday October 20th from 2-5pm.

“EMBRACING LOCAL is an opportunity for the hotel to give all our local artisan food and drink suppliers in the region a unique opportunity to showcase their produce on the day,” explained Geraldine Grealy, the hotel's Marketing Manager.

"We hope to embrace the concept and meet the makers on a local level by inviting local and regional suppliers to showcase their products here on the day at the Abbey. From organic farm producers, Jam and Brown bread makers to bee keepers, egg suppliers to vegetable producers we want to hear from you” added Geraldine.


Admission is free to the public on the day. Visitors can enjoy Cookery demonstrations from our award winning Abbey chefs and sample some canapés and free goodies from suppliers. We will even have free face painting for the little ones.

Meet the Makers and support local producers in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

Exhibitor Stands are only €50. To register Contact Geraldine Grealy on 086 3276584 or email geraldine.grealy@abbeyhotel.ie

Sligo Food Trail to host Nine Course Harvest Feast on Friday 18th October 2019

Sligo Food Trail have just announced that their flagship event, the Harvest Feast, will take place on Friday 18^th October 2019. This significant gastronomic event is part of Taste The Island, the international Fáilte Ireland food tourism initiative. Sligo Food Trail Harvest Feast consists of a sumptuous nine course tasting menu, each specially created by one of Sligo’s top chefs collaborating with artisan producers. 

The gala banquet will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa and numbers are strictly limited. MC for the evening will be TV3 celebrity chef Shane Smyth.

Marie Casserly, Chairperson of Sligo Food Trail, said “This is an opportunity to showcase both the enormously talented chefs and also the remarkable artisan producers we have on Sligo Food Trail. The combination is truly electric and we guarantee another outstanding event”.

The combination of award winning chefs and the best of local Sligo produce has proved a real winner over the last few years. Anyone lucky enough to be at the Harvest Feast 2017 was bowled over by the incredibly high standard of dishes presented. And those dishes just kept on coming – nine delicious courses, competing for attention. Harvest Feast 2019 will be equally thrilling for the taste buds.

“It was such a wonderful experience for everyone involved, we just had to do it again. The chefs love the unusual experience of working together and celebrating the wonderful artisan producers on Sligo Food Trail”, said Anthony Gray, of Sligo Food Trail, “We are so proud of all of our achievements and have put Sligo on the world culinary map with hard work and dedication from all involved”.

The Harvest Feast isn’t just an outstanding dining experience, it's an outstanding event on the Sligo social calendar. From the Canapé, Craft Beer and Drinks reception at the beginning of the evening to the live music throughout, this is a glittering affair in every way!

Sligo Food Trail chefs and producers taking part in the Harvest Feast include: 
Alan Fitzmaurice (The Glasshouse), Marcin Szczodrowski (Eala Bhán Restaurant) Yvonne Kathrein (Waterfront Hotel),
Prannie Rhatigan (Irish Seaweed Kitchen), Joe Shannon (Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa), Aisling Kelly (Sligo Oyster Experience)

The chefs involved are a truly outstandingly talented group, many are award winning and all are true ambassadors for food in the northwest. They are keeping the menu a closely guarded secret until the night itself, but we can introduce you to the award winning chefs:

Joe Shannon (Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa) - Well known TV3 personality chef who has cooked for all kinds of personalities including Hillary Clinton.

Marcin Szczodrowski (Eala Bhán Restaurant) - Talented Polish born chef with a penchant for classical French cuisine. Marcin revels in creating culinary masterpieces with top quality ingredients sourced in the northwest.

Alan Fitzmaurice (The Glasshouse) - Chef, chocolatier and dedicated forager who loves to take classical dishes and add his own contemporary twist.

Joe McGlynn (Hooked) - Donegal born Joe is head chef at Anthony Gray’s eclectic Hooked restaurant.

Marc Gallagher (Sligo Wellness Centre) - A leading light on the thriving Sligo organic food scene.

Yvonne Kathrein (Waterfront House Hotel) - Originally from Austria, Yvonne has a passion for seafood, artisan foods and local suppliers which is strongly reflected in her menus.

Chris Friel (Sligo Park Hotel) - For Chris, being a chef is a true vocation and classical training an essential.

Mammy Johnstons, in Strandhill just outside Sligo town, is famous for its homemade Ice Creams

Representing the artisan producer aspect of Sligo Food Trail, courses will also be presented by Neil Byrne (Mammy Johnston’s) and Aisling Kelly (Sligo Oyster Experience at WB’s).

Aisling Kelly of Sligo Oyster Experience

Tickets are only €75 each for this Nine-Course Feast! 

Tickets and can be booked online at www.sligofoodtrail.ie, by contacting Marie Casserly (086 3182529) or calling into these Sligo restaurants: Hooked, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, WBs Coffee Shop, Ósta Café & Wine Bar or Sweet Beat. 

A special overnight rate of €109 single and €119 double is available at the Sligo Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, just quote Sligo Food Trail Harvest Feast when booking!

Zack

Bia Bundoran to showcase food and drink offering in Bundoran, County Donegal

A brand new food & drink festival, Bia Bundoran, is set to take place in the County Donegal seaside town of Bundoran, from Friday September 20^th to Sunday September 22^nd 2019. 

Announced last January as part of the new season for Discover Bundoran, the food & drink festival will celebrate and showcase the wide and varied range of food and drink available in the town. The festival will also form part of the national offering from Failte Ireland’s “Taste The Island” initiative.

Many of the Bundoran food providers will present special offers and discounts on their menus or dishes, while others will host special events across the weekend to highlight the fact that diners need not wander too far in search of tasty cuisine. 

Events include Wine Tasting at Fitzgerald’s Bistro, a Food & Foto Tour whereby participants can learn how to take better photos of their food for social media, a Gin Masterclass with an expert from the Sliabh Liag Distillery, a tour of the Community Garden to learn what grows in Bundoran and a family friendly Foraging talk with Forager Fred.

A Limited Edition Beer, Roguey Pale Ale, (the name is Inspired by the famous bracing walk around the cliffs of Bundoran) has been especially commissioned for the Bia Bundoran event. Made by the Donegal Brewing Company, the ale will have it's official launch at the Official Festival Launch in Madden’s Bridge Bar at 6pm on Friday 20th September. 

Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth who is coordinating the event said, "There’s a huge demand for food events and it’s been something that has been missing from the Calendar of Events for some time now. We have been delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the various food providers in Bundoran who have embraced the need for this type of event." 

Shane added, "We are blessed with so many food and drink offerings in the town from home grown and home baked goods to specialised coffee shops and quirky cafes that offer a wonderful choice to residents and visitors alike. We look forward to seeing everyone for our first Bia Bundoran weekend this September."

Many of the events require pre-booking and all information can be found on the Bia Bundoran website at www.discoverbundoran.com/bia where a copy of the festival programme can also be downloaded.

See you there!

Zack

Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection wins ‘Own Label Brand of the Year 2019’

Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection wins ‘Own Label Brand of the Year’ for Second Year running at the Food & Drink Business Awards 2019!

Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection was announced best in Ireland for the second year in a row, as the winners of the much coveted ‘Own Label Brand of the Year’ Award at the Food & Drink Business Awards 2019 in City West Hotel on Thursday evening, 5th September. 

Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection is the premium tier food collection presented under the Dunnes Stores private label. Since it was established in 2013, the brand has received over 340 food awards, the most awards for any Irish food brand. In 2016 the brand won an international Great Taste Golden Fork Award for its Sticky Toffee Pudding, which is produced by the Flaherty family in Kilmessan, Co. Meath.

The ‘Own Label Brand of the Year’ Award at the Food & Drink Business Awards 2019 honour was given in recognition of Simply Better’s commitment to consistently delivering quality products, great food made in the right way, while working in partnership with the best food producers who share the same ethos around quality and provenance, with over 50 of these producers from Ireland.

The Food & Drink Business Awards recognise innovation through excellence, with the very best companies operating in the food and drink sector in Europe. This award, one of the most highly competitive awards on the night, demonstrates the premier position the Simply Better Collection maintains within the industry, as one of the most successful food brands in Ireland, awarded over 340 national and international food awards since it was established in 2013.

At the Gala Awards to receive the prestigious award was Diarmuid Murphy, Brand Manager Simply Better Collection who stated “We are delighted to be receiving the “Own Label Brand of the Year” in Ireland for the second year in a row. We couldn’t achieve this great success without the authentic collaborations and constant new product development between our amazing Food Producers and the Simply Better team. This award is in recognition of these producers as much as it is for the brand and is a testimony to the great products we create together.”

Also present to receive the award was Ireland’s favourite chef and Simply Better Brand Ambassador, Neven Maguire. Neven stated “It has been an amazing evening for Irish Food and the Simply Better Collection. I have been involved with the Simply Better brand for almost four years now and have seen first-hand the time, passion and care that goes into selecting each of the products for this outstanding collection. I am so proud to be part of the Simply Better team and delighted to be here to celebrate this fantastic achievement for the second year in a row. ”

Neven added “ When the Simply Better Collection wins an award it is a joy that is shared with many, as the Simply Better Collection is home to many of Ireland’s best Food Producers who we call our ‘Food Heroes’. It has been a privilege to get to know each one of these amazing producers who help make this collection an award-winning and world class offering”.

All of the Simply Better Collection products are chosen for their provenance, many from small Irish producers, and all with a nod to the past, where food was made in the right way.

The supplier story is absolutely intrinsic to the Simply Better Collection and the provenance of all the products is highlighted through the individual product story on the back of all packaging. Dunnes Stores are proud to tell the story of the supplier, as they are proud to show their partnership with such quality Irish and International crafts people.

For more information on the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection visit www.dunnesstores.com  or on social media platforms - @SimplyBetterDS 

Zack

5 Food Producers from Donegal shortlisted for Blas na hÉireann 2019 Finals

Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, have reached the penultimate stage of this year’s awards, with the announcement of the finalists who will go through to the final round of judging in Dingle this October, with 350 producers from across Ireland reaching this coveted stage.

The Blas na hÉireann awards are the biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, and the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.


During the first round of judging which took place over the course of four weeks in June and July, over 2,500 entries were judged in UCC & TU Dublin, bringing the total number of finalists in each category down to just five.


Each of these producer finalists will have their products tasted, compared, savoured and judged at the final of Blas na Éireann 2019 in Dingle on Thursday 3rd October. This is the 12th year of the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island, and the Blas na Éireann 2019 final will produce worthy winners of awards that have become an important part of the commercial success of so many exceptional Irish products.

The Father and Daughter team behind the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, Fallon & Artie Clifford

Five finalists from Donegal have been shortlisted across a range of different categories and these producers are Donegal Rapeseed Company Ltd., Filligans, Green Pastures Donegal, Harnett's Oils, Island Seafoods Ltd. The Blas na hEireann Roadshow will be in Donegal on Wednesday 4th September at 10am in the Bank Of Ireland Workbench, Upper Main Street Letterkenny.


Returning to this year’s Blas na hÉireann in Dingle is the hugely successful Backyard at Blas, an innovative meeting space designed to bring fellow producers together in a relaxed and informal way to meet, mingle and share experience and insights into running a business, and to offer support to those starting out. First supported by Bank of Ireland in 2017 and again last year, the talks series has proved so popular with attendees that Bank of Ireland have just signed a new deal for Backyard at Blas 2019.

The Backyard at Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards supported by Bank of Ireland is very popular

This September, Blas na hÉireann are going on the road with a special roadshow to help finalists get ready for the weekend in Dingle. They have been kindly welcomed by their partner Bank of Ireland to host special events across the country in their Bank of Ireland Workbench venues. These events will help finalists with details on the weekend of final judging, tips on how best to prepare from a press and buyer point of view, local information for travel, help on timings and how best to prepare your product for delivery and judging.

These are exceptionally rigorously-judged food awards, as Blas na hÉireann use an innovative blind-tasting judging system developed by Blas with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide. Products entered are blind-tasted, meaning that all packaging and identifying features are removed from products before being presented for judging, creating a level playing field for products from both large and small producers.

Judges come from a range of food backgrounds from chefs to restaurateurs, academics, journalists, authors, food champions, caterers and enthusiastic home cooks.

Often dubbed the Oscars of Irish food, Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties, with judging taking place during June and July, finalists notified in August, and finalist judging in Dingle, the home of the awards, in October.

Over 2,500  products were entered into this year’s competition to win Gold, Silver or Bronze Blas na hÉireann awards in over 140 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer, so there will be good food and drink guaranteed in Dingle this October.

Rooney Fish Millbay Oysters were the Supreme Champions at Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards 2018

With workshops and masterclasses in Dingle, final Blas na hÉireann 2019 awards will be presented alongside producer networking events on October 5th during the Dingle Food Festival, always an unmissable event for food lovers!