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Taste Causeway gets underway with ‘Meet the Maker’ showcase

Taste Causeway gets underway with ‘Meet the Maker’ showcase

Tue, November 13, 2018

The local produce sector within the Causeway Coast and Glens has the potential to be a significant tourism driver for the destination.

This was the key message emerging from an industry event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s tourism team on Monday 12th November.

‘Meet the Maker’, which was held in the historic surroundings of Bushmills Distillery, provided an important networking opportunity for a range of producers and tourism businesses. Speakers included a knowledgeable panel of experts and influencers, including Rosemary Lightbody from Tourism NI, acclaimed chef Paula McIntyre MBE, Sharon Scott, co-ordinator of the Causeway Food Collaborative and Zack Gallagher from the Irish Food Guide who provided informative insight into their experiences and understanding.

The Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Trevor Clarke who also spoke at the event, explained: “Our focus is firmly on encouraging and cultivating the emerging relationship between our tourism industry and local food producers. Local produce has a significant role to play in enhancing the overall visitor experience across the Causeway Coast and Glens as it contributes to an authenticity which many visitors seek out. By working together we can ensure that the Causeway Coast and Glens is recognised as a superb foodie destination.”

The ‘Meet The Maker’ event took place during Taste Causeway, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s new nine-day food celebration which explores the delights of our unique speciality food and drink produce through a series of dynamic and exciting foodie experiences hosted by some of our finest restaurants, food producers and tours.

Destination Manager Kerrie McGonigle said: “The emergence of the local food and drink market within the Causeway Coast and Glens’ destination represents an unrivalled opportunity for our tourism sector and gives them a truly unique selling point. I would encourage all our providers to embrace our local produce which will contribute towards the ongoing development of our tourism product. We wanted to bring people together at our Meet The Maker event because building relationships and connections will serve to strengthen our overall position. I hope it has inspired our trade representatives to take an innovative approach to local produce and recognise how it can be an essential ingredient for success.”

To view the full Taste Causeway programme go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com or follow Visit Causeway on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you are a tourism provider and would like to find out more you can contact the Tourism Team by emailing engagement@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Alastair Crown of Corndale Farm pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Nigel Steele and Amy Maguire from Portrush Atlantic Hotel pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Emma Brown and Jo Moore from Mini Maegden with Trevor Boyce and Sandra Cathers from Causeway Holiday Homes at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Niall Delargy from Glenballyeamon Eggs at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Guests and local producers enjoy the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Chef Gary Stewart from Tartine in Bushmills, who created a delicious breakfast and lunch using local produce at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Ellen Morelli pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Geri Martin from The Chocolate Manor shows some of her products to Anne Donaghy, Chair of Causeway and Binevenagh Cluster. Alderman William King MBE pictured with Vicky Stevenson from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team and Sarah Travers, host of the Meet the Maker event held at Bushmills Distillery. Chef and local food ambassador Paula McIntyre pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of the Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination.
Zack Gallagher of the Irish Food Guide, Kerrie McGonigle, Destination Manager, host Sarah Travers, chef and local food ambassador Paula McIntyre, Rosemary Lightbody Tourism NI and Sharon Scott, Invest NI facilitator for Causeway Coast and Glens Food Network Collaborative Growth Programme. Zack Gallagher of the Irish Food Guide samples some charcuterie from Corndale Farm along with Sarah Travers and local food ambassador Paula McIntyre at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Ruth Pollock from Braemar Farm Dairy Ice-Cream pictured with local food ambassador Paula McIntyre at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Alastair Bell shows of his Irish Black Butter at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Guests sample some of the local produce available at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team, including products from Islander Kelp, created by Kate Burns (left) on Rathlin Island. Ruairidh Morrison of North Coast Smokehouse pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Kerrie McGonigle, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Destination Manager chats with host Sarah Travers at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Leona Kane from Broighter Gold pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of the Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Lynn Bryce, Brand Manager at Bushmills Distillery pictured with Ellen Morelli at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of the Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Kate Burns from Island Kelp pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination.
Councillor Trevor Clarke, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council addresses the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination. Sarah Travers samples some of the superb local produce on offer at ‘Meet the Maker’, an industry event held in Bushmills Distillery during Taste Causeway to showcase the food and drink sector within the Causeway Coast and Glens. Niall Delargy, Glenballyeamon Eggs, Ruairidh Morrison, North Coast Smokehouse, Leona Kane, Broighter Kane, Geri Martin, The Chocolate Manor and Zach Gallagher, Irish Foodie Guide pictured at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination including Wendy Gallagher of Causeway Coast Foodie Tours and Sharon Scott, Invest NI facilitator for Causeway Coast and Glens Food Network Collaborative Growth Programme. Some of those who attended the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination including Wendy Gallagher of Causeway Coast Foodie Tours and Sharon Scott, Invest NI facilitator for Causeway Coast and Glens Food Network Collaborative Growth Programme. Peter Thompson, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Head of Tourism and Recreation, pictured with Mary O'Driscoll from Rathlin Island Ferry Company at the Meet The Maker event organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Tourism Team as part of the Taste Causeway, a nine-day food celebration across the destination.