An award-winning Derry restaurant is literally growing from strength to strength with the help of a special ‘plot to plate’ partnership involving local young people with a passion for horticulture.
The Sooty Olive has teamed up with the HOPE project - Horticulture, Organic, Produce and Environment - at the city’s Playtrail, growing vegetables, salads and herbs for the popular Spencer Road restaurant.
Anne-Marie Donnelly, Transition Services Manager at the Playtrail, said they were delighted to be working with the Sooty Olive as part of the HOPE project which is funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Out Empowering Young People Programme.
She explained: “The focus is on preparing young people with learning disabilities ages 15-20 years transitioning from school to adult life. The project involves a combination of educational activities, personal development, citizenship, health and well-being initiatives and horticulture and social enterprise activities.
“This is utilised to build confidence and aspirations and promotes social inclusion. Part of the project involves our social enterprise with the prestigious Sooty Olive restaurant. The young people are involved in the planting, growing and harvesting of the herbs and vegetables.
Sean Harrigan, head chef at the Sooty Olive, described it as “a brilliant all round relationship”. He continued: “The Playtrail provide us with amazing herbs, salads and an array of veg and berries which we use in the restaurant. We are so proud of our association with the HOPE project and of the produce. Some of the young people have also been in to eat in the restaurant to see how their produce is incorporated in our menus and they are very proud of their work. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
The young people at the Playtrail have even more reason to be proud after the Sooty Olive was recentlyincluded in the prestigious McKennas Guides listing the 100 Best Places to Dine in Ireland.
Photo Sean Harrigan from the Sooty Olive with Ryan Kennedy, left and Rory McIntyre, right from the Play Trail Hope project. PIcture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 02.06.16
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