The brains behind the event, Paul Kane, told LCN the focus for this year’s event, which takes place from July 22-30, was “identifying brands we really wanted to work with” and expanding the offering.

“We stuck with the nine-day format of seven days of events and either side of it a trade dinner in The Europa and an exposition of whiskey distilleries and brands, again in The Europa,” he explained.

“I want it to be something that gets the people of Belfast involved but also attracts people to Belfast who recognise it as one of the world’s largest whiskey festivals, tapping into the wider tourist market.”

Paul who, kicked off the festival in 2019, admitted that as a Scotsman he’s never tasted Irish whiskey before moving here his wife.

“The first one I tasted was a Redbreast 15-year-old, a pot still, so not a single malt and not a blend. I then began exploring and found the Redbreast 12-year-old was far better and then there was a huge opening up for me.

“The best Irish pot still whiskeys are not available in bars in Scotland and people need to come here and see what is available, the blends too, and taste it and fall in love with it as much as I have.”

After going fully online in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic when he sent out “send out 3,000 packs, 19,000 miniatures” around the world, last year’s event was a hybrid model with 2022 the biggest in-person festival to date.

“We’ve a hundred events including cooking with whiskey, making chocolate, speed dating sessions with whiskey as a conduit, cocktail making and even a solely Irish language session,” he told LCN.

“They are geared to try and encourage the non-whiskey drinker to get involved as well and there are very relaxed settings with parties, cocktail parties and DJ nights to cover a lot of demographics and expand the festival. There is music, food, entertainment, hands-on experiences.

“I enjoy spreading the word about whiskey and pushing the industry here and getting people involved.”

Read more in the upcoming edition of LCN and keep up to date with all the festival events by clicking HERE.

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Taking place from July 15-17, the event will serve up some great local fayre ahead of the Foyle Maritime Festival which kicks off on July 20-24.

Quayside vendors will delight the tastebuds with slow cooked barbeque, food fired pizza, and even some Venezuelan treats, washed down with the best of local craft beers and spirits.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said: “It’s important that we provide platforms for those working in the food industry to showcase their ideas, and the Street Food Festival is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the alternative and exciting new cuisine being created by our street food aficionados.”

“This LegenDerry Street Food Festival is the first of its kind here since 2019 and this year’s event is bigger and better than ever, with quality food complemented by some fantastic products from our local drinks producers and live DJ sets to create the perfect quayside summer vibe. All you have to do is show up and soak up the atmosphere.”

‘Celebration of fabulous food’

Vendors include Doherty’s; Fairley’s Flavours; Foyle Bubble Waffle; La Tia Juana; Lo & Slo; Nonnas; Offing Coffee; Silver Bean. Watch the world go by at one of the pop-up bars where you can sample a selection of the finest craft beers and exclusive cocktails using local spirits from The Walled City Brewery, Rough Bros, and Wild Atlantic Distillery.

Tourism manager Jennifer O’Donnell, said: “We are so looking forward to bringing the LegenDerry Street Food Festival back this summer to a new location, and what a perfect start to our Maritime programme with a quayside celebration of fabulous food and local hospitality.”

The LegenDerry Street Food Festival will run from Friday 15^th July – Sunday 17^th July from 12noon – 10pm. Free admission all weekend.

For more info go to www.legenderryfood.com/events

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