Belfast Telegraph | February 7 2017
8 | NI YEAR of FOOD & DRINK Awards
✲GrowingfortheFuture sponsored by SPAR NI
Sarah Travers, host of the NI Year of Food & Drink Awards with Paddy Doody from SPAR NI (centre), present (l to r) Brian McDermott, Leo Murphy and Dr Fergal Tuffy from the North West Regional College with the Growing for the Future award for its Foodovation Centre WINNER: Foodovation Centre, North West Regional College
In summer 2016, the North West Regional College invested £500,000 in a state-of-the-art food innovation centre in Derry~Londonderry. The centre would support entrepreneurs, artisan producers and small and medium enterprises to develop new food and drink products for the market. Managed by chef Brian McDermott, the centre provides facilities for food production, food photography, taste testing and barista coffee training to name a few, ensuring the highest standards of hospitality for the future in the North West. Judges said: “The Foodovation centre provides the industry with a huge resource for learning and growth. Judges were impressed with the business support centre link with the industry through chef Brian McDowell”.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Journey to Market Programme, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council
THE FOODOVATION CENTRE ENSURES THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF HOSPITALITY FOR THE FUTURE IN THE NORTH WEST
Seizing the opportunity to further develop the area’s reputation as a food destination, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council further developed their Journey to Market Programme during the year of food and drink in 2016 to enhance opportunities for Causeway Speciality Market traders. So far, the programme has helped 40 future stall holders from the area develop the skills needed to set up and grow their own food producing business by providing mentoring, skills development, networking and trade events.
Julienne Elliott of Causeway Coast and Glens, highly commended in the Growing for Future category
The list of finalists ✲ Journey to Market Programme, Causeway Glens & Coast Borough Council ✲ Food Heartland Initiative, Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council
✲ Foodovation Centre, North West Regional College