Foodies bid to lure conference trade

Some of Cork’s best-known food heroes took their produce to Dublin yesterday in a bid to tempt international conference visitors south.

Artisan food champion Darina Allen was among the Cork Convention Bureau (CCB) delegation which included hoteliers and representatives of Cork’s top visitor attractions.

They met with event and destination management companies responsible for bringing an estimated 70,000 international delegates to Ireland every year.

The organisation hopes to get a slice of the lucrative market by pushing Cork’s food heritage and food tourism offering.

This combined with new visitor destinations such as the Titanic Experience, Fort Camden and the new English Market food tastings, provides a unique experience for conference delegates, according to CCB’s Evelyn O’Sullivan.

“We decided to bring a flavour of Cork to Dublin so that Cork stays front of mind with conference organisers and destination management companies who are based in Dublin but have the potential to sell Cork to their thousands of international clients.”

Guests at the showcase were treated to delights like Shanagarry smoked salmon, Gubbeen cheese, Sally Barnes smoked fish, Ireland’s only buffalo mozzarella, West Cork duck, and Jack McCarthy’s black pudding.

Ms Allen told the showcase that over 70% of Ireland’s artisan food producers were based in the Cork region.

“These small scale producers provide ‘a real taste of the place’ and ensure that Cork’s food tourism industry will thrive in the coming years. They are offering not only the finest quality food but also unique visitor opportunities.

“Groups coming to Cork can now learn how to milk cows, make cheddar cheese, smoke fish and experience cuisine in new ways through the artisan producer network. This ensures a Cork experience that they will never forget.”

The CCB said The Gathering 2013 provided a great opportunity to promote the southern region nationally and internationally.

* www.corkconventionbureau.com