TOURISM: Take a bite out of the Boyne Valley kitchens
The Boyne Valley Food Series celebrates Ireland’s newest culinary region of Meath and Louth, bringing together the best restaurants, venues, farmers and food producers, to serve up an extended summer of festival feasting. This year’s programme of events runs from 29th April until 30th October.
Around 50 businesses are working together this year to bring an exciting calendar of food-led events, showcasing the very best of the region and seeking new ways to promote food provenance.
Olivia Duff, chairperson of the Boyne Valley Food Series, says “We are delighted to present the 3rd Boyne Valley Food Series which is all about offering unique, immersive, food experiences which highlight the best of the Boyne Valley Region and its people; some are off the beaten track, some offer ‘bucket list experiences’, others allow the visitor to put themselves in the shoes of the producer or the farmer for a day and get under the skin of real artisan food.” A “Place on a Plate” initiative is new this year, whereby each restaurant in the series is being asked to include at least one dish on their menu which is fully sourced from a Boyne Valley Artisan Producer, clearly identified with a special logo.
Following on from the huge success of last year’s events, the Boyne Valley region received special recognition for its culinary efforts by being selected as one of ten finalists in the Restaurant Association of Ireland’s “Foodie Towns” 2015 competition.
May Bank holiday week sees a ‘Father & Son Charcuterie & Gin Demonstration’ is happening at Tankardstown house on Thursday 5th May, where head chef Rob Krawczyk and his father, renowned charcutier Frank Krawczyk, will demonstrate curing and charcuterie followed by a gin tasting and talk. While visitors can get active with an organised 25km electric Bike Tour through the Boyne Valley on 7th May and visit a selection of the Slane Food Circle producers, hosted by organic farmer and ecotourism guide Carina Mount Charles of Rock Farm Slane.
The Taste of Boyne Valley event will take place the weekend of 25 and 26 June at Kilsaran home and Show Gardens in Dunboyne featuring celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin with lots of gardening advice and tips.
Later in the summer other highlights include All Things Garlic on 2nd July at Drummond house Garlic Farm which will invite visitors to a tour of the farm, sample dishes of nine different varieties of garlic grown on this farm all washed down with a unique black garlic beer. While the beautiful village of Carlingford is coming on board with the renowned Carlingford Oyster Festival on 5th- 8th August.
Updated details of the Boyne Valley Food Series are available at www.boynevalleyfoodseries.ie with prices and booking information.