An impressive line up of award-winning chefs is set to present a series of culinary masterclasses at the first national Foodie Forum, to be hosted by the Hotel School in GMIT, on February 2. Visitors to the event can expect food demonstrations from Bridgestone Chef of the Year 2011 Enda McEvoy of Aniar restaurant, RAI Chef of the Year Mickael Vilijanen of Gregans Castle, Stefan Matz of Ashford Castle, and many more high profile chefs.
Some 300 foodies from around the country have already signed up for the day-long interactive event which will feature seminars and demonstrations by leading Irish and international chefs, with topics ranging from classical to modern cuisine, Boudin making, molecular gastronomy, and bread-making. Several award-winning pastry chefs, all GMIT graduates, will also provide patisserie demonstrations.
Guest speakers in the forum area include well known hospitality marketing consultant Conor Kenny and Ruth Hegarty of Eurotoques, who will speak on Building a Food Culture through Food Education.
The GMIT Foodie Forum, www.thefoodieforum.net, will showcase the abundance and variety of excellent local and artisan produce available in Ireland. Visitors will participate in food and wine workshops and sample the produce on display at the indoor market of local producers. Micro brewers will also be on site giving demonstrations on the art of brewing and tasting. The day will conclude with a celebratory culinary dining experience, prepared by GMIT Hotel School lecturers and students.
This initiative by three of the Hotel School lecturers, Jacinta Dalton, Cormac Handy, and Colin Gilligan, with support by the Hotel School and Fáilte Ireland, is proving to be of significant interest to supporters of good local food everywhere.
“The response to this event has been truly phenomenal with people registered to attend from all over Ireland,” the organisers said in a statement this week. “We are really looking forward to welcoming all our guests on the day to see the exciting line up of award-winning exhibitors, chefs, and speakers. The day will provide a networking opportunity for all involved and we are delighted that the Hotel School at GMIT is hosting this event.”
Cáit Noone, head of the GMIT Hotel School, said she is delighted the school is working in close collaboration with excellent local and artisan food and beverage producers in the west of Ireland and beyond.
“The interest in, and demand for, this event has surpassed our expectations,” she added. “From a simple tweet by three forward thinking colleagues the event has grown and will provide visitors with many exciting opportunities. Fáilte Ireland has provided financial assistance which has allowed us to extend the range of events and activities on the day. We are very grateful to the team in Fáilte Ireland for their ongoing support and encouragement.
“As most people know by now, the Let’s Do It Galway team are very busy getting ready for Volvo Ocean Race this summer. One of the many exciting exhibitions visitors can expect is the food pillar, which is a national showcase of all great Irish food. The Foodie Forum in GMIT is a wonderful prelude to this exciting event and once again will showcase the amazing talent and energy we have in the food sector, not to mention the outstanding high quality produce and beverages, all home grown on many of our doorsteps.”
A small number of tickets remain for the day event, the celebratory dining experience is fully booked. Anyone wishing to attend the event must register his/her interest in advance at tiny.cc/foodieforum and call Margaret, GMIT Hotel School, at 091 742249 regarding ticket payment. Tickets for entrance to the event are €10.
Further info on www.thefoodieforum.net, follow the team on Twitter @thefoodieforum and find TheFoodieForum on Facebook.
