FOR FOOD'S SAKE III: Food Tourism – can we eat our way out of trouble?

Thursday 28 July

The Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2

Doors 7pm sharp (discussion kicks off 7.30pm)

Adm €5 on the door

The Irish food industry is something we should all be proud of and deserves a platform for discussion. For Food's Sake is a regular bi-monthly evening of food talk and tastings.

On the last Thursday of every second month, journalist and food blogger Aoife Carrigy (of HolyMackerel.ie, and former deputy editor of FOOD&WINE Magazine) chairs a themed night of discussion, joined by a panel of four guest speakers. Past themes have included the future of Irish food production, and the state of the Irish restaurant industry. This month, we turn our attention to the crossover industries of food and tourism, and to all the exciting new food festivals, trails, networks, initiatives and events taking place around the country.

There will be free food tastings from several Irish artisan producers (including some of the best cheesemakers and fish smokers in the country) who will tell you a bit about why they do what they do, and an inspirational talk from TV chef Paul Flynn.

There will be a chance to win some great foodie prizes (including dinner and overnight stay at The Tannery, Dungarvan).

And there will be a madcap Karaoke Cook-Off, hosted by Oisin Davis of The Ticket’s ‘Booking the Cooks’ monthly food column.

Aoife Carrigy will be joined by the following panel to discuss Food Tourism in Ireland today.

• Paul Flynn, The Tannery restaurant and cookery school & Waterford Food Festival
• Helen McDaid, Food and Hospitality Innovation Manager, Failte Ireland
• Birgitta Curtin, Burren Smokehouse, Burren Eco-Tourism Network & Burren Slow Food Festival
• Hugo Arnold, food writer, restaurant consultant & advisor to Good Food Ireland

July’s discussion of Food Tourism in Ireland today will look at some of the sustainable local tourism developments and grassroots events which have been taking root around the country, and will highlight how the simple act of eating your way around the country can help to support jobs and redirect money back into the local economy.

We’ll ask who's doing what well, both here and abroad, and what kinds of supports are there for businesses looking to attract tourists through food.

We’ll discuss the challenges and rewards of setting up a food festival or initiative as well as how evolving a multi-faceted experience by adding wine-dinners, cookery classes, accommodation, demos as spin-offs can help build a business.

We’ll consider the strength of marketing as a united network rather than as individuals, and the power of using social media and other marketing tools.

And we’ll debate how Ireland’s food culture is perceived overseas as well as at home, and what exactly our tourist industry is trying to sell, and to whom?

So, For Food's Sake, come join us, and Eat! Drink! and Be Merry!

We've a lot to be cheerful about. And much to discuss.