Search for ‘food champions’ begins

Fáilte Ireland will begin a search next week for 12 "food champions" who will help build Ireland's reputation as a food tourism destination.

It is asking the public to nominate people who have a resounding passion and belief in Irish food and could influence the future of food tourism in their region.

Driving routeThe 12 people must be located along the Wild Atlantic Way, the 2,500km driving route stretching from the Inishowen peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork.

Nominees should be involved in a food business for at least two years and have received awards for their work. Fáilte Ireland will work with the 12 people to develop networks in food tourism.

They will travel to Norway to see how it promotes food tourism along a network of established driving routes.

This is the second year of the food champions initiative and Fáilte Ireland’s food tourism manager, Helen McDaid, said the food champions chosen last year were already making a major difference in their areas.

Food trails
She said several participants were working on food trails in their areas, including Siobhán Ní Ghairbhith of Inagh Farmhouse Cheese in Co Clare, Donal Doherty of Harry's Restaurant in Inishowen, Bríd Torrades of Café Osta in Sligo and JP McMahon and Fergus O'Halloran in Galway.

Meanwhile, food companies have been encouraged to submit their products to this year’s Blas na hÉireann national food awards.

With more than 60 judges, the awards are thought to be the biggest blind tasting of food products in the country.

The closing date for entries for the initiative is July 15th and the winners will be announced at the Dingle Food Festival in October.