03 September 2008
Artisan food producers, farmers' representatives, chefs and food enthusiasts head for Terra Madre.
Terra Madre ‘food train’ heading south for Northern Irish food producers
Artisan food producers, farmers' representatives, academics, chefs and food enthusiasts from all over the island of Ireland and across Europe are getting ready for Terra Madre, a four-day event taking place in Ireland’s South East this September 4 – 7.
The extensive programme has just been launched and promoted in Northern Ireland by Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew.
Terra Madre will bring together artisan food producers, farmer’s representatives, academics, chefs and food enthusiasts from all over Ireland for a programme of activities, including food conference and workshops, in an event which is internationally recognised as the Olympics of the culinary world.
Launching Terra Madre in the North, Minister Gildernew said: “Terra Madre gives me the opportunity to reflect on the importance of maintaining a sustainable food environment encompassing the traditional values of quality, wholesomeness and taste.
“I believe that our agri-food offering has the potential to rival existing renowned food regions of the world primarily due to the natural richness of our land, our farming heritage and the skills and enthusiasm of our people.
“I look forward to the Terra Madre programme and am sure the various events will be both enjoyable and fruitful in terms of highlighting the Slow Food principles and providing future recommendations for those stakeholders involved in the provision of food in Ireland.”
Ulster Farmers’ Union President, Graham Furey, is pleased to support Terra Madre Ireland: “With ever increasing debate on food and food production, the Terra Madre event offers a tremendous contribution in advancing the agri-food agenda and helps to bring a joined-up approach. Our agri-food sector has a winning combination of great natural resources, matched with first class quality and Terra Madre offers a platform to celebrate this.”
A special Terra Madre train is due to depart from Belfast for the event, bringing Northern Ireland’s producers and ‘foodies’ to Waterford for everything that the conference and festival has to offer.
The centrepiece of Terra Madre is a world-class one day food policy conference on September 5 with up to 50 workshops and demonstrations at Waterford Institute of Technology.President Mary McAleese will address delegates during the conference’s afternoon session, while Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development at Stormont, and Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism will all feature.
Other events include an eight-course banquet; an all-island farmers and local produce market; a range of food activities in the Terra Madre marquee at John Roberts Square; novelty sports and a healthy picnic for children in the People’s Park; bus tours to artisan food producers in the surrounding counties; picnics and local cultural entertainment on the banks of the rivers Blackwater, Barrow, Nore, Suir and Slaney.
Celebrity chefs expected in Waterford for Terra Madre Ireland include Richard Corrigan; Ross Lewis; Nick Price; Neven Maguire; Darina Allen; Denis Cotter; Rachel Allen; Paul Flynn and Kevin Dundon. There will also be demonstrations by experts on cheese- and cider- making; beekeeping; curing and butchery skills; food smoking; sausage- and bread-making. There will also be tastings and sampling for wine lovers and a chance to experience Ireland’s finest micro-breweries and liqueur producers.
Chair of the organising committee for Terra Madre Ireland 2008, Donal Lehane, explained that the conference will address a broad range of food production issues and is structured to allow maximum participation by delegates.
“Terra Madre literally means ‘mother earth’ and is all about bringing together people who need to work together but too often don’t have the opportunity to. Food has the potential to create thousands of new jobs – jobs that can be sustained over time as the trend towards safer food produced locally continues to develop.”
Terra Madre Ireland’s festival office is at 14 Lombard Street, Waterford. Please contact Manager, Karen Devereux, or Administrator, Celline McCormack, for more details on 051-860035. More information on the event and how you can get involved are available on www.terramadreireland.com. Places are limited and early booking is advised.
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