MORE than 60 local food makers and suppliers are set to descend on Belfast’s Custom House Square for the 2015 Tesco Taste Festival later this month.
Running from September 18-20, the festival will welcome over 20,000 food and drink enthusiasts to this year’s event.
Now in its seventh year the Taste Festival is one of the largest of its kind across the country. Â So why check it out?
9 Reasons To Go To The Tesco Taste Festival
1. The food & drink
With over 60 exhibitors there’s no way you won’t discover something new for your taste buds.
2. Early bird
A whole host of companies are set tp launch a range of new products throughout the weekend which means you could be one of the first people to try a new addition to our supermarket shelves.
3. Free stuff
Throughout the weekend a number of the companies will be offering free-to-sample food and drink to get your mouth watering.
4. Entertainment
With a line-up still to be confirmed there’s always a fantastic array of local entertainers on hand all weekend to get you in the party mood.
5. Kids zone
From Mr Tayto and Mr Morelli to a petting zoo to keeps the kids from getting too bored throughout the day.
6. Big kids
For the more active big kids there will be a massive climbing wall to challenge the family.
7. Live demonstrations
A number of well known local chefs will also be doing cookery demonstrations in conjunction with Food NI.
8. Culture Night
For the first time, the event will stay open until 8pm on Friday September 18 to coincide with Culture Night Belfast.
9. On the radio
U105fm will be hosting an afternoon show from the event on Friday afternoon.
Opening Hours
Friday September 18 (2pm-8pm)
Saturday September 19 (10am-6pm)
Sunday September 20 (10am-5pm)
Don’t believe us? Ask these guys!
Tesco NI Marketing Manager Caoimhe Mannion said: “As the largest purchaser of NI food and drink we’re proud to say our commitment to local just gets bigger and better each year.
“All our Tesco fresh pork, chicken and beef, milk and eggs sold locally are sourced locally. Through our suppliers this benefits thousands of farming families across Northern Ireland.”
Belfast tea blenders, Thompson Family Teas, make Northern Ireland’s favourite tea, Punjana, and will be exhibiting at the event.
Lindsay Skinner, Punjana Ltd Sales Director said: “We are very excited about our newly designed “foil-fresh “Green teas. These award-winning teas have great shelf appeal, and we are delighted that Tesco has featured them in all stores.”
Armagh based vegetable grower and processor Gilfresh Produce owner Thomas Gilpin said: “Managing 18 growers in Northern Ireland, Gilfresh is dedicated to providing Tesco customers with top quality, local produce. We are proud to support Tesco in their Taste Festival and look forward to a busy weekend sampling our range of Gilfresh prepared vegetables.”
Alan McKeown, Commercial Sales Director at Ballymena sausage firm Doherty & Gray said:
“Doherty & Gray is delighted to be part the Tesco Taste Festival once again this year, because as a Ballymena based company it provides the ideal opportunity over three days for us to interact directly with local shoppers and to showcase the range of fantastic products that we produce.