Many of Kilkenny’s artisan food producers along with dignitaries, family, and supporters came out on Monday to launch the newest (and most delicious ) of Kilkenny’s trails as part of the Leader Partnership.
Kilkenny Food Trail was launched by Ross Golden Bannon editor of Food and Wine magazine and Sunday Business Post restaurant critic, as part of new plans to develop Kilkenny as a national food destination.
Monday’s event at the Set Theatre showcased the best of local produce and culinary businesses and this is to be followed in the coming months with other innovative and exciting developments in the food producers’ industry.
A total of 38 food producers and businesses from the city and county are participating in the food trail
The trail - the brainchild of Trail Kilkenny, in association with Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, (KLP ) – is a vibrant food movement that will drive economic development in rural Co Kilkenny, according to Declan Rice, CEO of KLP.
He said the Taste of Kilkenny Food Trail – which will bind the local food industry together and open up the food culture of Co Kilkenny – will be followed by further developments including the establishment of a producer distribution group in May.
"Our strategy also includes the continued support for the expansion of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival now in its fourth year," he said.
The festival will run in Kilkenny from October 22 to 25 this year and is quickly being established as the premier food promotion event in the country.
The 38 trail participants employ more than 500 people - approximately 350 full time - and generate millions of euro in turnover annually, making a valuable and significant contribution to the local economy.
The Taste of Kilkenny Food Trail members include a wide variety of producers ranging from an ice cream maker, a sausage maker, to an organic apple juice maker and a chocolate manufacturer as well as bakers and meat producers. They include businesses such as the award winning Knockdrinna Farmhouse cheese, Highbank Organic Farm, Goatsbridge Trout Farm, and Lavistown gourmet sausages. Renowned Kilkenny restaurants Campagne, Zuni, Cafe Sol, Ristorante Rinuccini, and a host of bakeries and cafes are also involved.
According to Ross Golden-Bannon, Kilkenny is fast developing a reputation as a ‘foodie destination’.
“That is no surprise considering the rich hinterland it draws its produce from. Kilkenny county has much to be proud of.
“The Kilkenny food trail is not just a celebration of quality local
produce, but of civic pride and social engagement that will pay dividends far greater than the simple tasty transactions of the event. Kilkenny foodies recognise that 'local' isn't just a trendy catch phrase but a jump start to positive regional economic growth.”
Trail Kilkenny is a non-profit company established to develop, promote and maintain leisure trails in County Kilkenny. To date it has developed river walks, scenic walks, cycling trails, and last year it launched the Kilkenny Craft Trail to encourage the growth of the professional craft industry in the county.
