Food Ambassadors for 2013, heading to Norway.
Benoit Lorge, Lorge Chocolatier, Kenmare.
John Mulcahy, Fáilte Ireland with Food Champions.
Martin Bealin, Global Village Restaurant, Dingle;
Deborah Evers, Clareville House Kitchen Gardens, Ballyvaughan;
Jacinta Dalton, Dept Culinary Arts, GMIT;
Zack Gallagher, Irish Food Tours, Donegal Town;
Mary McGettigan, A Taste of Donegal Food Festival,
Helen McDaid, Fáilte Ireland Food Tourism manager.
Hugh O’Donnell, Kitty Kellys & Hughies Bar, Killybegs;
Eight of Ireland’s top food ambassadors have left Dublin for Norway on a food tourism study trip as part of Fáilte Ireland’s Food Champions Initiative.
Donegal is well represented with Hugh O’Donnell from Kitty Kelly’s & Hughies Bar, Mary McGettigan from A Taste of Donegal Food Festival and Zack Gallagher from Irish Food Tours all selected.
The trip was organised by the national tourism authority to help drive the development of the food culture and food tourism experiences around the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first ever long-distance driving route, due to open in March 2014.
The group include a number of chefs, an artisan producer, a culinary lecturer, a blogger, a restaurateur, a food festival organiser and a chocolatier.
Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Food Tourism, John Mulcahy, saiD “These eight food ambassadors who are located along the Wild Atlantic Way, from Donegal to Kerry, were selected for their commitment to developing Ireland’s food tourism and reputation.
“This educational visit to Norway will provide the tools for the Food Champions to return home and get behind their region on the Wild Atlantic Way in providing an opportunity to experience, see and taste a truly unique food offering, thereby generating more business for the local area.”
Norway was chosen as the destination for this year’s programme not only because of the surge of interest in Nordic food, but also because they have well-established tourist driving routes. They are currently working to develop a Taste of Norway around these routes which will provide great insight for our industry here in Ireland.
The food ambassadors were selected for their resounding passion and belief in Irish food, together with a commitment and drive to actively influence and shape the future of Irish cuisine and food tourism in their region. During the trip they will experience a bespoke Norwegian itinerary, gaining unique insight into the Taste of National Tourist Routes programme.
Caption – Fáilte Ireland’s food ambassadors get ready to depart Dublin Airport for their study trip to Norway. Also pictured are John Mulcahy and Helen McDaid from Fáilte Ireland.