All the ‘Flavours of the Foyle’ will be on offer, and fun is up for ‘crabs’ during a free two-day seafood festival taking place on 20th and 21st July in the Guildhall Square Derry-Londonderry.

The event led by Derry City Council, promises to be one of the highlight’s on this year’s culinary calendar.  Live cookery demonstrations will be on the menu in the seafood festival marquee and food stalls will be hosted by local chefs and restaurateurs providing authentic seafood dishes to try and buy.  Accompanying family entertainment with the ‘Taste Adventure’ and Loughs Agency Riverwatch Aquarium’s Touch tank will be combined with the city-wide Seafood Trail which takes place across 20 restaurants citywide, with varied fish dishes on offer for a full week from the beginning of the festival.

Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly speaking at the launch today said:

“’Flavours of the Foyle’ is a unique event and an opportunity to bring together families, locals and visitors to pay homage to the rich resources of our river.  Now a staple in the summer event calendar, this year promises a weekend of all things fishy, flavoursome and fun.  Building on the legacy from the inclusion of the Festival at the Clipper Homecoming last year, a move to the Guildhall Square promises a more varied festival and in continuing with the level of superb events for the City of Culture year, I have no doubt this will be a fantastic weekend.

A boulevard of over 20 food providers will include live cookery stalls with participating restaurants including the Beech Hill. Gardiners, Custom House, Browns, The Sooty Olive, Pyke n Pommes, La Sosta, Primrose Café, Feast or Famine, Queen’s Quay Social,  Quaywest, Donegal Prime Fish and many more.

Mary Blake, Derry City Council Tourism Development Officer, organiser of the event said:

“The North West has a fantastic array of seafood right on our shores with some very talented chefs.  Seafood is on the menu on all our best restaurants and I think it is something we really need to appreciate and celebrate. The Seafood Festival is one of many food tourism initiatives running across the city and follows on from the recent launch of the citywide LegenDerry Food Guide.  This 2 day festival is an ideal family day out, and builds upon the hugely successful Seafood festival enjoyed by thousands at last year’s Clipper event.

“We have planned some very inspiring live demonstrations, as well as an opportunity to sample dishes that can easily be prepared in your own kitchen, so there is no excuse for food lovers not to take home with them authentic flavours from the Foyle!”

Speaking in advance of the weekend event, Chris Moran, Custom House Chef who is taking part in the seafood festival said:

“I have worked in kitchens all round the world and nothing compares with the seafood that comes from the North West coast of this island.  I think it is time we showcased to the world the wonderful food products and culinary talent we have up here.  Seafood and other local products have played a big part in our culture and heritage and the festival will help us to rediscover and celebrate that part of our history.”

‘Flavours of the Foyle’ brings with it a flurry of entertainment for the young and young at heart with ice sculptures, street theatre, storytelling with ‘fishy tales’, puppetry, a marine touch tank, storytelling, Spreya the Mermaid, Giant Lobsters and other fun activities.  The event will be supported by a wide ranging musical and animation programme.  In addition to Flavours of the Foyle, Mayor Martin Reilly will host a family fun opening day on Sunday (21st July in the newly restored adjacent Guildhall with a range of children’s crafts and activities.  Derry-Londonderry will also host the Walled City Music Festival making this a great weekend to visit the city.

The boulevard of chefs and theatre of food kitchen is supported by FoodNI and will include a demonstration from acclaimed chef and radio presenter Paula McIntyre.  Also taking part at the event is Derry’s own Ian Orr from Browns Restaurant in the city, recent winner of the Irish Chef of the Year award in the Georgina Campbell awards 2013.  Ian and Paula will join a range of acclaimed local and celebrity chefs to share a little seafood magic at the event.

Flavours of the Foyle will run from 12 noon to 7pm on Saturday 20th July and 12noon – 6pm on Sunday 21st July. The event is being organised by Derry City Council with support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and the Loughs Agency. More information on programme times etc on www.derrycity.gov.uk/seafood