Local food and culinary skills among highlights of Galway Foodie Forum next week

EXPERT advice will be available to local small food producers at the Foodie Forum in Galway next Tuesday. The event in GMIT on February 5 will feature a variety of workshops, demonstrations, debates and masterclasses. The Made in Galway brand, a Galway Co Council initiative designed to support and encourage cultural and economic development, will also be working with the forum. A business drop-in zone will run on the day for small craft businesses that are either in the start-up phase or already trading but requiring additional advice. Wines and craft beers[private] Among the range of activities planned for the Foodie Forum are food and wine workshops by leading local wine experts and the growing craft beer sector will also feature. The buzzing indoor market is back again, with an array of local producers displaying and selling their goods and there will be an outdoor street food fair showcasing the growing trends in this area. Two round-table discussions will take place with a panel of experts discussing issues around GM foods, labelling and the marketing of local food. GMIT lecturer and one of the event's organisers Jacinta Dalton says last year's event was a huge success. From chefs to diners 'Chefs, restaurateurs, producers, business advisors and members of the general public had a unique opportunity to mingle, network and in many cases forge very successful and lucrative business relationships,' she explains. 'In recent years there has been a huge wave of activity on the food front in Ireland and particularly in Galway. As lecturers and practitioners in the industry we are excited about this and very passionate about educating people about food and food trends and the economic benefits of supporting this new wave. We have so many food producers on our doorstep and the Foodie Forum in February will showcase the incredible range of local produce,' she added. The GMIT College of Tourism and Arts culinary lecturers and students will also showcase their skills in sugar-craft, pastry and bread-making. [/private]