Derry has certainly been enjoying its share of the limelight of late thanks to the spotlight cast by the multi-award winning Derry Girls series, which has led to an influx of smitten fans, keen to find out more about the city which inspired the show’s creator Lisa McGee.
It’s presented an exciting opportunity for the local tourism industry to get flexing, and showcase some of the wonderful culture and heritage attractions unique to the North West of Ireland, not to mention the region’s bourgeoning food scene.
A dedicated network of local food champions have been working together to put Derry and Strabane on the culinary map when it comes to quality produce and innovative kitchen talent. The LegenDerry Food Network have been pooling their creative resources to develop a strategy aimed at creating a vibrant and exciting local food and drinks industry which is already beginning to impact on the profile of the region.
February is the official month of fabulous food in Derry and Strabane, and this week saw the launch of a mouth watering menu of events planned by the network, working in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, for this year’s Love LegenDerry Food Month programme.
Details were revealed today as the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, joined leading hospitality industry figures for the launch. The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the unique and authentic food and drink related products and experiences available locally.
Among the highlights this year are cheese and beer tastings, al fresco food tours and cookery classes exploring the provenance and quality of local produce.
Launching the Love Legenderry Food Month, Mayor Logue said: “I am delighted to announce this year’s Love LegenDerry programme, which offers a tantalising array of experinces for food lovers. Our Legenderry Food Network is going from strength to strength and this is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work of our talented producers and chefs and the abundence of quality locally sourced ingredients available here in the North West.
“It’s yet another good reason to visit the City and District and I would encourage people to take the opportunity to find out more about local food heritage and provenance.”
The programme includes a range of bespoke events created by food producers and chefs to showcase the top quality produce that can be found throughout the region.
Looking ahead to February, Co-Chair of the Legenderry Food Network, renowned chef and restaurateur Shauna Froydenlund, said: “As a restaurant owner these are challenging but exciting times for the hospitality industry and we are lucky to have a strong network of dedicated and creative chefs and passionate producers working together to establish the North West as an exciting and innovative food destination.
“I am really pleased to see the return of the Love LegenDerry Food Month, and to see the work that has gone into creating new and interesting experiences for people to enjoy the wealth of quality produce available locally.”
Chief Executive of Visit Derry, Odhran Dunne, said: “The Love LegenDerry Programme is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local food scene, with a really diverse array of events specially curated to showcase the latest developments in local food.
“As a visitor destination we have made great strides in establishing a vibrant and dynamic food culture, that is appealing to our global visitors, and it’s important that we celebrate that with programmes such as the Love LegenDerry Food Month.”
Full details of all the events and booking information are available at https://legenderryfood.com/events/ For information on great places to eat and drink as well as places to stay, log onto www.visitderry.com
Love Legenderry Food Month highlights:
Friday February 9th, 11am – 3pm, Derry's Famous Beer & Cheese Tour
Enjoy the perfect partnership as Northbound Brewery and Dart Mountain Cheese join forces for their famous Beer and Cheese Tour. Learn more about the delightful pairings with a full tasting table celebrating the very best local produce (Adults 18+)
Saturday 10th & Saturday 17th February from 2pm-4pm, Dart Mountain Cheese Experience
Cheese lovers will be delighted to join award winning local producers Dart Mountain for a Cheese extravaganza. Enjoy a fascinating cheese making educational tour, followed by a sampling of their delicious cheese range.
Saturday February 10th 11am, Coille Dhoire Cycle
Explore the iconic historic landscape of the North West through nature-based symbols, as part of Far and Wild’s unique Foodie Cycle Tour. Enjoy the beautiful riverside views of the Foyle Greenway and find out more about the food progeny of the estuarine region, a traditional Atlantic salmon breeding ground. The cycle will take you to the historic Brook Hall Arboretum where you can sample some delicious finger-food from locally produced artisans and small businesses.
Monday12th February at 2pm to 4pm & Sunday18th February 2pm to 4pm - Sperrins Goat Cheese Experience
Families can indulge in a cheese experience with a difference with a tour of Craigbane Goat Farm. Nestled in the heart of the Sperrins, Craigbane supplies milk for Dart Mountain’s popular goats’ cheese. Families will have the chance to enjoy some goats’ cheese sampling and a cheesemaking tour followed by a visit to the Craigbane Goat Farm to meet the baby goats.
Friday February 16th & Saturday 17th from 4pm - The Oyster & Stout Festival, Walled City Brewery
Enjoy a weekend of music and activities at the Walled City Brewery supporting the wonderful Lough Foyle Native Oyster and Foyster Stout. Local seafood company Foyle Bia Mara will be shucking fresh oysters accompanied by other local seafood dishes from Head Chef Chris Moran. The Walled City brewers have been brewing like crazy to present Ireland's most diverse local stout collection from a Tabasco Stout to a Chocolate Chipotle Stout! This is a totally unique festival hosted in the Walled City Brewery's new Taproom with taste sensations and live music as the backdrop.
Friday 23rd February 7.30pm-9.30pm, 7 Drinks for 7 Cheeses at The Playhouse
Learn more about the fascinating science of cheese from the experts at the NI Science Festival. Co-hosted by World Cheese Judge and Cheese Writer, Patrick McGuigan, this tasting experience will take you on a Legenderry journey as he introduces some of the best craft drinks and pair them with award winning local cheese. Meet the producers and learn the facts, methods and secrets that make our products 'Legen’dairy’!
Sunday 25th February 11am-3pm, Lo & Slo Urban Expeditions Wild & Fired BBQ School
Join Lo & Slo Urban Expeditions for a barbeque with a difference at the Wild & Fired BBQ School, an unforgettable culinary adventure where you will learn about fire-cooking overlooking the ancient woodlands of Prehen and the River Foyle in Derry City. Learn to make your own fire and cook a wood-fired meal together, as well as tasting and appreciating the difference that local, slow farming makes to Northern Irish produce.
Sat 10th, Sun 11th, Sat 17th, Sun 18th February; 11am - 1pm; 1.30 - 3.30pm; 4-6pm - Couple’s Cooking Class at Destined
February is also the month for romance, so why not learn more about cooking as a couple? Enjoy an interactive cooking experience at the Destined building where couples will cook and eat their way through dishes made with local produce and LegenDerry ingredients.
