Janice Gault, Chief Executive of NI Hotels Federation discusses the Summit:
“For any business in the tourism spectrum, food and drink have a central role. It’s important to understand emerging trends, changing consumer needs and what’s in vogue for the traveller seeking an authentic culinary experience. Given that the number of international tourists to Northern Ireland are on the increase, it’s really important that we understand how to make our culinary offering both authentic and attractive.
“As a society, we want to be involved in our food and we want to know what produce has been used to create the dishes on the menu. For people who enjoy good food, the story behind the dish is equally as important as the way in which it’s served and presented. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet artisan producers, sample their unique produce and then garner insights from experts in the sector who are producing exceptional menus, building loyal customer bases and thriving.”
Attendees at this year’s Summit will have the pleasure of meeting renowned Michelin star chef, Galton Blackiston, who will give an insight into his thirty-year career, his fascination with fish and his thoughts on industry issues.
Food Futurologist, Dr Morgaine Gaye, will present her expert vision of food in the future, looking at trends, consumer behaviour and sustainability. William Sitwell, The Telegraph’s acclaimed food critic, will talk about the changing face of food, the role of television and the challenges of running his own culinary venue.
Food Blogger and author, Ciara Attwell, will speak about her food journey, outlining the power of social media, her success and her mission to feed fussy eaters. Greg Hughes will share his insights into one of the world’s leading distillery tours at Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Taste & Tour Co-Founder, Phil Ervine, will update delegates about the food tourism opportunity and the success of their highly acclaimed Whiskey Walk and Gin Jaunt. As a special treat, David Matchett will give the inside track on how Borough market, London’s oldest market, has evolved taking its place at the centre of the capital’s food focus.
This full-day event includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments. Delegates will leave with a special Takeaway Bag and inspiration from some amazing, internationally-acclaimed speakers. Curated artisan food and drink will also be served up at an Artisan Marketplace throughout the day.
The event is sponsored by: Tourism Northern Ireland, Invest NI, and Tourism Ireland along with a range of local suppliers. The Taste of Northern Ireland Gourmet Dinner is supported by Bunzl McLaughlin and the artisan food market is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
If you run a hotel, restaurant, bar or any hospitality business with a food element, this is the conference for you.
For further details or to book your space, log on to tasteoftourism.com or call 028 9077 6635.
Bound for Belfast....Food critic William Sitwell
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