Liz Moore of Belle Isle School of Cookery was yesterday selected as the winner from among six finalists in the Lakelands and Inland Waterways Recipe competition which is developed by Fáilte Ireland.
The competition is part of the Waterways Initiative that is designed to develop and market tourism along the inland waterways of the inland counties of Ireland.
The finalists competed for the overall prize in a Grand Final 'cook-off' on Thursday, April 17th in Athlone Institute of Technology. The other finalists were from Mountshannon, Co Clare, The Radisson Farnham Estate, Co Cavan, Belmont, Co Offaly, Shannonbridge, Co Roscommon and Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
TOURIST EXPERIENCES
Maeve McKeever, THE Product Development Officer, Fáilte Ireland, speaking at the event, said food was central to all tourist experiences.
"A large proportion of visitors' time on holiday is spent experiencing food in some way, either consuming it, purchasing it or learning about it and its link to the locale. It is therefore vital that their experience of food is memorable, and enhances their overall visit to the area.
"Food can also be important as a means of guiding tourists around a particular area, by linking it with other activities available to them, such as angling, cruising, walking and heritage."
The competition was launched in October last year with the main aim of encouraging food providers in the Lakelands & Inland Waterways area, (i.e. pubs, Bed & Breakfasts, fine dining restaurants, busy hotels) to use local ingredients as well as local history in their food and menu preparation, in order to present consumers with a truly memorable eating experience.
Providers were encouraged to develop recipes which have a link or strong history with the immediate area or which may be a new twist on a traditional recipe from the past.
Kevin Kidney, General Manager, Fáilte Ireland East and Midlands, said the initiative was part of the focused approach which his organisation would be taking from now on.
"It reflects the full range of services which we can offer within Failte Ireland. This also demonstrates the continuing and improved cooperation between the agencies involved in tourism. We are delighted to host this event in AIT which has long held strategic links with Failte Ireland."
