Irish food goes down a treat with crowds at Turin slow food festival

IRISH food is going down a treat with the 180,000 visitors attending the five-day Salone del Gusto Slow Food Fair in Turin, Italy.

The feedback has been very positive about the food being served up by the Irish artisans attending the event with Bord Bia.

The Italians and guests of 150 other nationalities have spoken highly of the Irish beef, lamb, salmon, farmhouse cheeses and craft beers. The event runs in parallel with Terra Madre, the world meeting of hundreds of food communities.

Bord Bia also conducted a three-day Food Inspiration Expedition for 12 additional Irish food and drink manufacturers visiting Salone del Gusto.

The programme, which aims to provide stimuli for new product ideas, and thereby support innovation, included cooking and tasting demonstrations co-inciding with the food fair, and familiarisation visits with foods and wines of the local region.

Bord Bia works with over 350 artisan companies, with an annual estimated turnover of €475 million and total employment of over 3,000 people.

Food and drink exports from Ireland to Italy were estimated at €380m in 2009. Italy is Ireland’s fourth largest EU market for food and drink after the UK, France and Germany. In 2009, Irish beef exports to Italy reached 48,000 tonnes, valued at €205m, making Italy the third largest EU market for Irish beef.

Other key exports include alcoholic beverages, fish and milk powders. There is a growing interest in Ireland’s artisan products, in particular farmhouse cheeses, chocolates and artisan beers.