Derry’s top chefs cook up support for city’s Foodie Towns bid

A medley of award-winning local celebrity chefs have thrown their culinary weight behind the campaign to have Derry crowned Ireland’s food capital – and the public’s votes will prove vital over the next two days.

Derry City and Strabane District Council is leading the campaign to whisk up support for the city to become Foodie Town of Ireland 2015, with free online voting until this Friday, October 2, at www.foodietowns.ie.

Derry is the only Northern Ireland finalist in the prestigious competition run by the Restaurants Association of Ireland, which has nine destinations in the Republic vying for the honours, including Kinsale, Howth, Sligo and West Cork.

The Foodie Town of Ireland award recognises a destination that actively promotes itself through promotional activities such as food festivals, gourmet trails or farmers’ markets as well as great dining experiences.

With the winner to be decided 50% on public votes and 50% on the judges’ scores, Derry’s top chefs are urging people to get clicking for the city before voting closes on Friday at 5pm.

Ian Orr, of Brown’s and Brown’s in Town restaurants, believes Derry has all the winning ingredients for the Foodie Town title with its passion for culinary success and food provenance.

According to Ian (pictured), who was named Irish Chef of the Year 2013 by food writer Georgina Campbell,: Derry has the “best food produce in the whole of the country.”

He added: “We have great suppliers, great food and a great town. It’s obvious when people come to Derry that it’s because we have such a wide selection of restaurants and we are passionate about using local produce.”

Emmett McCourt, who was recently appointed Food Ambassador for NI by Tourism Ireland after his ‘Feast or Famine’ cook book was judged best in the world at an awards ceremony in China, said: “Derry has it all in terms of its food, food heritage and culture. Our modern restaurants are up there with the best in the world and our award-winning chefs are some of the best in Ireland.”

Sean Harrigan, head chef and owner of Sooty Olive restaurant and Green Octopus café, said winning the competition would be a “massive acknowledgement for all the hospitality industry staff, producers and suppliers who have worked relentlessly to put Derry and the region on the culinary map”.

To vote for Derry to become Foodie Town of Ireland 2015, click herehttp://www.foodietowns.ie/city/derry/