Thousands flocked to the Big Cheese & Beer Expo organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council at the weekend.
The three-day extravaganza in Guildhall Square, as one of the main highlights of NI Year of Food and Drink 2016. celebrated some of the finest craft beers and cheeses being produced locally as part of Brewing and Distilling month.
Among the star attractions was Sean Wilson aka Martin Platt from Coronation Street – now a celebrated chef and cheese maker - who impressed fans with his cheese-inspired cookery demos in the Festival Marquee on Saturday afternoon.
The North West’s own wealth of popular local talent - and produce - was as always to the fore with delicious demos by Brian McDermott (The No Salt Chef) and Emmett McCourt of ‘Feast or Famine’ award-winning world cookery book fame.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, warmly congratulated the Council’s Tourism team, cheese producers and craft brewery companies in the North West and beyond for all their hard work in ensuring the foodie event was a huge success.
Cllr. McCallion said: “We are absolutely delighted that following the phenomenal success of the LegenDerry Food Festival last month, Derry is again leading the way with another fantastic event showcasing the talent and creativity of our local artisan producers.
“We now look forward to continued cause for celebration with a number of exciting events to be unveiled by Council for the remainder of the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016 calendar.”
Local craft breweries who took part included Northbound Brewery and Walled City Brewery, both based in the city; O’Connor Brewing in Faughanvale.
The biggest artisan cheese board in the North West was on display by Tamnagh Foods from Park, Co Derry, makers of the Dart Mountain brand including Sperrin Blue Cheese (2015 Irish Food Awards Gold), Dart Mt. Dusk Cheese (World Cheese Awards 2014 – Bronze), Kilcreen Cheese (Great Taste Awards 2015 - Gold Star) and the newly released ale washed Banagher Bold cheese.
Live music from a number of popular local and visiting artists including The 4 Of Us, Best Boy Grip, the Paul Casey Trio, Balkan Alien Sound, Ports, Paddy Nash Trio, Glen Rosborough, Ryan McMullan and Eilidh Patterson, also added to the festival atmosphere.
Local bars and restaurants also got into the spirit of the event with special beer and cheese themed menus keeping appetites satisfied for the weekend.
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