Food for Thought at European Heritage Open Days – Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September
Our lush green grass gives us some of the best dairy and meat products in the world. Our breads and sweet treats have been honed over centuries of Food NI has teamed up with the Environment Agency this year to bring you a series of free talks (and samples, of course) about food in iconic buildings.
There’ll be pancakes and sodas on the griddle at Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey on Saturday 13th 1-4pm. Sample some of the creamiest yoghurt around at the Victorian mansion on Clandeboye Estate in Bangor on Sunday 14th 11.30-4pm. This is our only locally-produced cows’ milk yoghurt from an award-winning herd.
Will Taylor’s unctuous Glastry Farm ice-cream is a firm favourite on the menu at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle. The man himself will be there on Sunday 14th to explain how he uses the local larder for flavour inspirations like Raspberry and Lavender and Pear Pear Sorbet. He’ll have lots for you to taste too. There’ll also be a talk on the history of this fine building. For bookings, contact 028 4372 1002.
At Hastings Ballygally Castle, (Sunday 2pm) you can explore the 17th building and walled garden before Head Chef Sanjay Raghav creates and presents recipes also using Glenarm Shorthorn Beef and Dorset Pedigree Lamb from the nearby Glenarm Estate. Adrian Morrow from the Estate will also be on hand, and there will be samples. Booking required, please telephone 028 2858 1066.
You can find out about Sir Hans Sloane, the inventor of chocolate at Killyleagh Library on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 at 1.30pm & 3.30pm. You can also take the Sloane 35 Pre Chocolate Festival Tour. Local historian Clive Scoular will be in costume as Hans Sloane. Booking required, please telephone 028 9054 3022.
Down at Hilden Brewery in Lisburn, the secrets of brewing will be revealed at what is Northern Ireland’s oldest independent brewery. It’s the former home of the Barbour linen barons. Saturday 13 & Sunday 14, 12 – 1pm Booking required for free brewery tour, telephone 028 9054 3022 (over 18s only).
Make sure you don’t miss out on a place by calling the numbers above and get your taste buds ready.
