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L-r: CEO Foodie Towns Adrian Cummins and Pól Ó Conghaile (food writer) at the launch of Foodie Towns 2015 – the search for Ireland’s premier foodie destination. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins

The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) have this week launched the search for Ireland’s premier foodie destination. The ‘Foodie Towns 2015’ competition will see towns and communities from all over the country battle it out to be named Ireland’s top town/destination for a foodie experience. Foodie Towns is now in its second year and is now separate to the Irish Restaurant Awards due to its success in 2014.

The ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’ award will recognise a town/destination that actively promotes itself through joint promotional activities such as food festivals, gourmet trails or farmers’ markets, as well as great dining experiences for locals and visitors alike. The winning Irish town/destination will have established a local producer/supplier network which is utilised and promoted by local businesses. Plans for future growth and investment into the food and hospitality industry at a local level will also be taken into consideration by judges. Education, training, development and employment will be key components of the ultimate foodie destination.

Communities across the country, including those in The Avondhu area, are urged to get involved and work with local businesses, foodie groups and other working groups to submit their applications and promote their area to both local people and visitors. The greater the engagement between town officials, the community and the application process, the greater chances the town/destination has to win the coveted title.

Collaboration is vital for the success of any community based project, and will mean the difference between the winner and runners-up of the ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’ competition. The more people that work together on this project, the greater the potential for prosperity and progress.

The winning town/destination will be crowned ‘Foodie Town 2015’. The winner will be announced in October. Last year, Dingle was crowned the top foodie town in Ireland.

Anthony Gray, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, says that the rich landscape of the Irish culinary scene will provide an exciting battleground for the competition.

“All over Ireland, local community initiatives are shaping the food, hospitality and tourism industry at ground level. This is our opportunity to recognise these towns and communities for the amazing work they are doing to put Ireland at the forefront of culinary tourism.

Irish people take great pride in their localities and the dynamic nature of the hospitality industry will serve to prove that there are destinations in every pocket of the country worth visiting.”

The RAI look forward to working with towns and localities across the country, helping them drive new customers to their restaurants and food businesses.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be submitted by a minimum of 3 businesses or a business organisation/local authority/community group. The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, 7th September.

For further information and details on the application process visit www.foodietowns.ie or contact the RAI office on 01 677 9901.

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