|
Inishowen farmhouse picks
up some tips
04.02.08
A B&B owner from the
peninsula was among a delegation of Irish guesthouse
proprietors who gathered last week to learn from a
celebrity chef how to attract gourmet tourists.
Sharon Moore from Ashdale Farmhouse, Carndonagh said
the workshop facilitated by top chef Clodagh McKenna
was a great chance to learn more about incorporating
local produce into breakfast and packed lunch menus
for visitors. “We know from the research that
visitors appreciate and enjoy the home cooked
breakfasts we offer," said Ms. Moore. |
"Using local produce
gives us a chance to give that food a strong
regional flavour and character."
The two-day workshop was held at the prestigious
Castle Leslie in County Monaghan as part of an EU-funded
specialist B&B programme. It was organised by the
Town and Country Homes Association (TCH), who are
leading a pilot project to see |
|
35 B&Bs become high
level specialist providers in products such as
Angling, Golf, Walking, Heritage and Culture and
Gourmet.
Clodagh McKenna said Irish B&Bs and farmhouses that
use local produce created a much more distinctive
and memorable experience for the visitor.
"Taste is the number one sense in terms of recall,
so using home-cooked, locally produced food will
leave a lasting impression of the region on the
visitor," said the TV and former Ballymaloe chef.
Town and Country Homes Association chairperson, Kate
Burns added: “A new generation of owners want to
explore different ways of offering holidays in
Ireland for overseas and domestic visitors and
packaging what they offer to make their product more
attractive and accessible."
Town and Country Homes is leading the project in
partnership with Irish Farmhouse Holidays, Fáilte
Ireland, the Irish Tour Operators Association,
Northern Ireland Tourism Board and Tourism Ireland. |
|