By Ursula Duddy
A Derry chef is set to represent Ireland at a world class culinary event in Canada this weekend as he jets off to Toronto for the Royal Winter Fair.
Derry chef, Emmett McCourt, will be cooking up a storm on Saturday, November 4, where he will showcase the gastronomic delights the Emerald Isle has to offer.
This will be the third year Tourism Ireland has participated in the Royal Winter Fair International Invitational Chef Challenge. The event incorporates agriculture, The Royal Horse Show, interactive educational events, lifestyle events, food demonstrations, chef’s events and a consumer show at the RICOH Coliseum and the Direct Energy Centre at Toronto’s Exhibition Place.
Mr McCourt said he was delighted to be representing his country in Canada.
“I have been invited by Tourism Ireland to compete in the International Chefs Challenge in Toronto Canada this Saturday; there will be one chef from the US, one chef from Canada and one chef from Ireland, yours truly,” he said.
“I’m really excited about it. It is a massive opportunity to showcase the country and region in terms of Irish Food.”
He also said that fans of his food can get set to expect a second book following on from his first, Feast or Famine, which is described as a ‘Cultural Food Journey of the North West of Ireland’
“I will be doing research in Canada for book two, a follow on to Feast or Famine, watch this space!”
'Fayre'
Mr McCourt said he had already been giving the Canadians a sneak-peek over the Halloween festivities when he rustled up some hearty 'fayre' on the city’s historic walls.
“On Sunday I was cooking traditional Halloween dishes like Barmbrack, Spud Apple Boxty and Spicy Jack O Lantern Soup on the Derry walls for Canadian TV supported by Tourism NI, Visit Derry and Derry City and Strabane District Council,” he said.
Mr McCourt will present an entrée and dessert for the Chef’s Challenge on Saturday.
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