NEWS
17/04/2014
Northern Ireland Food Pavilion Growing Every Year
Each year the Food NI Pavilion at the Balmoral Show goes from strength to strength and 2014 continues
the trend. The Pavilion is one third bigger than 2013 due to its popularity with visitors and demand from
local food companies.
Over 80 food exhibitors and 30 chefs will showcase the very best of Northern Ireland produce including
artisan and organic products. Visitors will get the opportunity to taste and sample some of these exquisite
foods including tasty Glenarm beef burgers, goat kebabs, chowder, hog roasts and homemade artisan pies.
Looking forward to the event, Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive, Food NI said “The Food NI Pavilion is a
unique food experience where people can enjoy demonstrations from our Taste of Ulster chefs, sampling
and buying local produce from top quality local food and drink companies. The Pavilion provides an
unrivalled Northern Ireland food and drink experience.”
The Northern Ireland Signature Kitchen, supported by Northern Ireland Tourist Board, will provide an
opportunity for local award winning chefs to showcase their talents. Using the best ingredients from the
exhibiting producers, chefs such as Noel McMeel, Lough Erne Resort and Spa, Will Brown, The Old
Schoolhouse Inn and Joery Castel, The Boathouse Bangor, will demonstrate their signature dishes. Popular
local food celebrity and BBC broadcaster, Chef Paula McIntyre will be MCing during the demonstrations,
bringing her expertise and witty enthusiasm to engage the audiences.
The Tesco Cookery Theatre provides a new element to the NI Food Pavilion. Top chefs will introduce local
producers and then using their produce, cook up innovative recipes that will highlight the array of
outstanding lamb, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, milk and vegetables available on our doorstep. Thursday at
2pm will see the popular Best Steak Competition in a cook off between eight finalists.
RUAS Chief Executive, Colin McDonald said, “The Food NI Pavilion has seen a growth year on year since it
was established at the Balmoral Show in 2008. This growth demonstrates the increasing importance
consumers are putting on having access to high quality locally grown produce. It also demonstrates the
hard work and commitment that Michele Shirlow and her team have given to increasing awareness and
promoting local produce both locally and nationally and we are delighted to have Food NI on board. The
Food NI Pavilion is one of the most important aspects of the Show and I look forward to seeing what is in
store for us this year.”
Look out for the chef timetables and other exciting local food news at www.nigoodfood.com . Follow Food
NI on Twitter @Food_NI before and during the Show to keep up to date with everything as it happens!
Also, remember to ‘Tweet while you Eat’ in the #NIFoodPavilion!
ENDS://
Caption:
Michelle Shirlow, Food NI and Colin McDonald, RUAS with some of the exhibitors in the largest ever NI
Food Pavilion at Balmoral Show, Sandy Cole, Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle and Hannah Robinson,
Irwins Bakery.
Notes to editors
 FoodNI is a non for profit membership organisation that aims to enhance the reputation of food
from Northern Ireland. With over 250 members, consisting of local food producers, farm shops and
restaurants we work to highlight the quality of our local food industry.
For further information contact: Kathryn Belshaw eventsupport@kingshall.co.uk or 028 9068 6181