Chef Backs Balmoral Show's Food Pavilion

As country meets the city at this year's Royal Ulster Agricultural Society's (RUAS) famous Balmoral Show, cuisine is also meeting farm fresh with top celebrity chef James Martin putting his name behind the Belfast event's Good Food Pavilion.

At the recent launch for the mid-May event, the chef (pictured) talked about his passion for educating people about the goodness of local food.

"As a chef I understand that encouraging young people and families to appreciate where their food comes from is essential and events such as this play a very important part in this education process.

"It is easy to take what ends up on our plate for granted without thinking of the hard work and care that goes into getting it there.

"This provides a rare opportunity for people to get up close to a variety of animals and see the entire food chain process," he enthused.

One of NI's favourite chefs, Nick Price, who runs Nicks Warehouse with his wife Kathy, agreed: "I always insist on trying to source as much quality local produce as possible. The Balmoral Show is an invaluable setting for this story."

Also commenting, Graham Furey, Chairman of Food NI said: "It's great to see so many producers coming to the NI Good Food Pavilion this year."

He also noted that the centre piece of the Pavilion will be the Cookery Theatre, in partnership with the NITB, where chefs dedicated to local produce will be cooking up delicious signature dishes from each region throughout the three days.

"The Pavilion really exemplifies the talent and dedication of our local food producers and this year Food NI has extended part of the Pavilion to meet extra demand from quality, local artisan producers topped with the NI Signature Cookery Theatre, in partnership with the NI Tourist Board, which is a recipe for a great three days."

Running from Wednesday 11 May to Friday 13 May (8.30am - 8.00pm daily) the Balmoral Show offers its usual packed programme of prize winning livestock, world class attractions and lots of fun for the entire family.

RUAS Chief Executive Colin McDonald said: "We have a very special event in store.

"The agricultural industry has had a tough few years, but this year we have witnessed a renewed interest, energy and enthusiasm amongst exhibitors with increased demand for exhibition space.

"We have reached capacity with 450 exhibitors and we have a waiting list of those wishing to exhibit."

See: Balmoral Show

(BMcC/GK)