Kerry restaurants in Fáilte initiative

FIVE Kerry businesses have taken part in a recent Fáilte Ireland initiative aimed at harnessing the growing interest in food tourism.

Towards the end of October, Fáilte Ireland held a two-day training programme ‘ Taste of Place’ for chefs and cooks from Kerry, Cork and across Munster at the Cork Institute of Technology with renowned chef, Gary O’Hanlon, giving cookery demonstrations and insights to the group.

Fáilte Ireland developed the new Taste of Place programme to help chefs and culinary teams to leverage the growing trend of tourists seeking out locally sourced dishes – and exploring the stories behind the food – by providing ‘stand out’ local and seasonal cuisine.

The five Kerry participants in the event were the Ahamore Tearooms; Jam Café Bakery Deli; Jim Edwards Bar and Restaurant; The Rose Hotel in Tralee and Tom Crean Fish and Wine.

A Fáilte Ireland spokesperson said that the programme was developed to arm chefs with insights into how food motivates the tourist; to provide information on the latest tourism trends and culinary concepts and to underline the business benefits of sourcing produce locally.

Tracey Coughlan, Food Tourism Manager with Fáilte Ireland explained the thinking behind the programme.

“This new programme has been developed by Fáilte Ireland, to ensure that visitors to Ireland enjoy a real taste of place and to support the latest three-year food and drink initiative ‘ Taste the Island’ by equipping chefs across Ireland with the knowledge on the power and benefits of using local produce to deliver an unforgettable visitor experience,” she said.