Market brings taste of Europe to Belfast Christmas shoppers

Thousands of shoppers have been enjoying the flavours of the continent this week as they search for Christmas bargains in Belfast city centre.

Traders from Spain, Germany, France and Holland have been providing a “taste of Europe” at a special Continental Market, which continues in the City Hall grounds until Thursday evening.

Among the many delicacies tickling the tastebuds of shoppers are traditional Bratwurst sausages and delightful German and Belgian beers, cheeses from France and Holland, charcuterie, pates, rich biscuits and cakes from Brittany.

To sate the appetite further, there is freshly prepared chicken and potato provencale, cooked by M Couppey and his chef, and specialist paella from Cordoba in Spain cooked to an old traditional family recipe.

On the non food front there are leather goods with great handbags from Paris, Cashmere and silk knitwear, crafts, French perfumes, crystal and colourful table wear from Provence.

Dirk van de Wardt, the ‘Flying Dutchman’, is the smallest member of the team but drives the biggest vehicle allowed on British roads: he is one of the largest plant and shrub marketeers in Holland and he is in Belfast with a lawnful range of his Christmas products and bulbs.

The Christmas Continental Market is open from 10am until 8pm until Thursday.

(MB)