Slow Food Festival back in the north-west
Northern Ireland’s only Slow Food Festival, organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council, will celebrate its return to Guildhall Square next month with the launch of two new high quality local food and drink products as part of the major grassroots culinary showcase which attracted a bumper 25,000 visitors to the city last year.
The new home-grown products – Walled City Brewery’s eagerly anticipated ‘1689’ Siege beer and Breslin Butchers’ Tirkeeran Black Pudding – will be unveiled during the two-day Festival which is taking place on October 7 and 8 from noon until 6pm.
Internationally renowned eco-chef and food writer, Tom Hunt will be the special guest at this year’s family-friendly, free admission event held during Slow Food Week to celebrate the best of local, clean and fair food which is not mass produced.
This year’s Slow Food activity, centred in and around an impressive marquee, is once again expected to have foodies flocking to Guildhall Square for the return of the Harvest Fayre, attended by around 20 artisan producers from throughout the north-west and further afield; live cooking demos on the main stage and new to this year’s event, a Craft Beer Garden where visitors can sample some uniquely local brews including Walled City Brewery’s new beer, inspired by an ancient ale recipe dating back to the Siege of Derry.
Festival-goers will be completely spoiled for choice with a wide range of fresh meat, charcuterie, fish, fruit, veg, cheeses, breads, desserts, preserves and ice-cream including a local vegan brand as well as some traditional Irish heritage dishes to savour in the marquee and from selected vendors in Guildhall Square.
For further information on the Slow Food Festival including details of exhibitors and timetable for cookery demos and talks, musical entertainment and children’s activities in Guildhall Square from 12 noon until 6pm on October 7th and 8th, visit www.derrystrabane.com/food
Our picture shows the mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, councillor Maolíosa McHugh with Aeidin McCarter, head of culture, at the launch of the Council’s Slow Food Festival 2017.
