Planting Seeds at #GalwayFoodFestival
The theme for this year's Galway Food Festival is planting seeds; it's about planting seeds of education and awareness; seeds of economic growth and development and getting back to our roots. It's about the origin of our food.
2018 is a great year for all things food related with Galway having been awarded the prestigous European Region of Gastronomy Award. This award presents Galway with a European platform to not only showcase Galway and the wonderful food produce, but also provides an opportunity to welcome European food tourists to our region to sample our foods.
My first stop was to see the legendary JP McMahon doing a presentation on the beauty of raw beef. The tartare was delicious and there was plenty for everyone!
The Spanish Arch was a buzz with traders selling all sorts of food both hot and cold. I got to sample lunch from a wonderful local Galway comany Avo.nice day and had the most delicious Avocado on Sourdough I have ever had.
Also at the Spanish Arch were Connemara Organic Seaweed with their locally produced seaweed products. They have an edible range of products as well as a newly launched seaweed skin care range.
Beechlawn Organic are a local company who deliver organic fruit and vegetable boxes to all parts of the city and county. You can pick your fresh produce to arrive on your doorstep each week and you can go for varieties such as Red Russian Kale!
Larder 360 is another company who deliver local produce right to your door! You can download the app and order your meat, fish, granola, seaweed products, fruit and vegetables and so much more! It's a great way to get organised and have fresh, local produce at your fingertips which helps with meal planning for the week ahead which is always a good thing!
Next stop was Halla Bia and a delightful assortment of foods such as vegan treats like Bliss Bites and honey beer chocolate!
Collaborations were abound between the local producers. One I would definitely recommend is this trio from Foods of Athenry, Gran Gran Foods and O'Briens Cheese. Simply devine!! The cheese is feta and the chutney is Beetroot, Red Onion and Ginger from Gran Gran Foods ... Oh my oh my I am hooked!
Another collaboration is Ivy Chocolates Honey Beer Chocolate. This is a combination of Galway Hooker Beer, honey from Leahy Beekeeping and of course the absolutely delicious chocolate that is Ivy Chocolate. The absolute passion for what they produce is evidenced by the originality of their products. Who knew chilli chocolate could be so good!
One of my favourite Galway cheese manufactures is Sabanero Artisan Cheese. This Venezuelan style cheese is delicious served with chutney and crackers or crumbled over your salads or tacos!
Murrays were also at Halla Bia with their locally produced treats which are packed full of flavour and goodness. I also got to sample and buy some locally produced nut butters from Totally Nutz. Hmmmm great taste and the peanut butter is soft yet crunchy all at the same time, love it!
Noel Leahy and Gabriel Faherty were also in Halla Bia exhibiting their respective products. A well known duo in the Galway food scene the combination of the Aran Goats Cheese drizzled with a heather honey from Loughrea make for a fantastic, nutritious snack or a delicious meal starter!
I ended my day at the Druid Theatre where I attended a talk on Vegan Food. The panel consisted of Leo Vanees, Dr Maureen O'Sullivan, Gabriel Faherty, Louise Kelly and Floris Wagemakers.
Before the session my son Iarlaith who comes with me to the Galway Food Festival each year, got to make seed balls with Eoin from Cork Food Policy! Great fun!
Overall another great Galway Food Festival and well done to everyone involved!
Dolores Andrew-Gavin, Founder of IrlshHealthHour, Health and Wellness and Food Blogger.