Localartisans signupfor Bitefestival
WICKLOW’S talented food and drink producers are being offered the chance to showcase their skills at a national level, thanks to Ireland’s artisan food festival, Bite 2016.
They also have a chance to win a free stand at the second annual festival if they manage to impress the organisers with a brief description of their services.
Festival organisers are on a nationwide hunt for talented food and beverage producers for the event, which will be held in Dublin’s RDS from November 18-20.
It will be a chance for Wicklow producers to exhibit their product to the 20,000 Irish food and drink lovers who are expected to descend on the festival in the run-up to the Christmas season.
Already taking part in the festival are Brod Kearon of Nature’s Gold Olive Oil in Greystones, Kathy Grace of Hawthorn Lane in Enniskerry which produces homemade chutney, jams and sauces; and Leonie Ferguson of Lainey’s Handmade Foods in Kilquade, a producer of chocolate biscuit cake and Christmas pudding.
‘Bite 2016 promotes Ireland’s vastly expanding artisan food and craft drinks sector, letting people with an interest in food experience just how much quality that we have in the field to the plate industry,’ said organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.
‘Many of the artisans who will take part in the festival go on to achieve success nationally, and in some cases internationally. Now we want to offer talented people, who maybe unknown outside of their locality, the chance to bring their expertise, ideas and experiences to a wider audience,’ he added.
Bite will feature top chefs and food experts as well as a huge range of producers, who are there to sell, sample and educate people about their unique products.
This year’s festival will also feature a range of winners from the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, the biggest competition for quality Irish produce.
Presented by the organisers of the National Crafts and Design Fair, Bite is Ireland’s first and foremost interactive food expo, with attractions for all the family.
Artisans in Wicklow who would like to win a free stand at the Bite festival in November are asked to write a brief 150-word description of their practice and why they deserve to be chosen. Entries, including full name and contact details and the name of this publication can be sent to info@bitefoodfestival.ie. The closing date for the competition is Friday, October 28.
Bite takes place at the RDS Main Hall from November 18-20. Full details and booking can be found at www.bitefoodfestival.ie SAM’S Cookies, based in Bray, has won a number of awards at the Irish Quality Food Awards for its part in the Dunnes Stores ‘Simply Better’ food collection.
The company won the ‘ large’ and ‘small’ cake categories for its ‘Simply Better handmade All butter Lemon and Irish Blackcurrant Layer Cake’ and ‘Simply Better Handmade Belgian Chocolate Salted Caramel Shortbreat Slices.’
The company also won the ‘Christmas Confectionary’ category for its ‘Simply Better Irish Handmade Dark Chocolate and Ginger Florentines’ and the ‘Christmas Cake’ category for its ‘Simply Better Hand Decorated Irish All Butter Christmas Cake’.
Over the years Sam’s Cookies have won many awards for their biscuits and cakes, including an impressive 32 Awards from ‘ The Great Taste’ and ‘Blas na h’Éireann Irish Food Awards’. Family run since its inception, Sam and Keith Johnson of Sam’s Cookies have grown their business based on traditional values. Located in picturesque County Wicklow, Key product categories include luxury cakes, specialists tray bakes, cookies, mini tasty treats, snack bars and seasonal cakes.
‘We are thrilled to have received awards for our Simply Better cakes created with Wicklow food producers, Sam’s Cookies, and would like to congratulate them,’ said Diarmuid Murphy, Dunnes Stores ‘Simply Better’ brand manager.