What a year it has been for lovers of food and drink so far in Northern Ireland.  Tourism Northern Ireland have been telling us about many lip-smackingly good events that have been taking place across the country all year as part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 celebrations but now there is news about another event that is sure to have foodies returning to Belfast over the next couple of years.

The highly anticipated BBC Good Food Show will launch this weekend (14 – 16 October) for the very first time at the Belfast Waterfront.  The show will showcase the nation’s favourite chefs, the regions very best producers of food, drink and artisan products as well as state of the art kitchenware and gadgets.

Rachel Quigg, Communications & Destination PR Officer is encouraging everyone to come along to the Belfast Waterfront for a weekend of fun and foodie delights:

“This weekend is set to be one to remember for lovers of food and drink as it is the first time the BBC Good Food Show has come to Northern Ireland. World renowned chefs such as John Torode, Paul Hollywood, Danny Millar, The Hairy Bikes and James Martin will be on hand to offer tips, demonstrations and even sign books so if there is a chef you would love to meet and interact with, then now is your chance!

“There will be an exciting pavilion area jam-packed with a vast range of delicious foods so that you can make some tasty purchases and bring them home to try for yourself,” added Rachel.

Tourism Northern Ireland has put together some show highlights so you don’t miss any of the action:

Supertheatre

The Supertheatre will be a delight for all visitors as they can watch renowned celebrity chefs such as Paul Hollywood, James Martin and Paul Rankin, cook delicious dishes live! You can also get tips for tasty seasonal foods and lots of inspiration to try out your own dishes.
Tasting Theatre
The Tasting Theatre will allow foodies to taste and learn from an amazing line up of food and drink producers who will showcase the best in regional produce. A whole host of local producers will be available with products to browse including, Ann’s Pantry, Broighter Gold, Cavanagh Eggs, Dale Farm, Hilltop Honey, Pheasants Hill Farm, Shortcross Gin and much more.

Interview Stage

Get up close and personal with your favourite chef as they take to the Interview Stage. This is the perfect opportunity to ask any burning culinary questions you may have. Plus, purchase a cookery book at the Show and you may be lucky enough to get it signed by your favourite famous chef afterwards.

Food NI Pavillion
The Food NI Pavilion is a great opportunity to discover more about regional producers as well as taste their wares and buy some to take home. This area of the show is a must-see for foodies who would like to improve their knowledge of Northern Ireland’s food scene and delve into the wealth of fantastic food produce that there is on offer here.

Producer’s Village
From brewers to bakers; deli owners to distillers, visitors to the Producers’ Village will play host to a wide range of artisan food stalls where they can stock up their larder with speciality produce from all over Ireland and the UK.

BBC Good Food Kitchen

The BBC Good Kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing lunch at the Show where visitors can dine on mouth-watering, seasonal dishes inspired by bbcgoodfood.com.

If you would like to extend your Belfast food experience this weekend then why not try one of the fantastic offers that are available during Eat and Drink Belfast Restaurant Week which runs from 8-16 October. Enjoy Belfast’s vibrant restaurant scene which offers everything from Michelin Star fine dining to exciting eateries, gastro pubs and quirky restaurants.

St George’s Market is another must-see destination for food lovers as it hosts a wide range of local produce. The market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and recognised as one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland.

If you are looking for a food adventure with something a little different, why not try the Belfast Bred Tour Mobile App which will allow you to discover Belfast’s fascinating food heritage and the high quality local produce available all around Belfast. Hear from local chefs, publicans and retailers and get a real taste for Belfast’s gastro history.

If you have time, why not squeeze in a cookery class at Belfast Cookery School on Saturday. The school is dedicated to helping those who want to share a passion for all things culinary and learn more about food and the way it should be prepared. Learn to cook a new dish in a creative atmosphere of fun and learning.

To buy tickets go to www.discovernorthernireland.com/bbcgoodfoodshow.

Why not make a weekend of it? To find out more about accommodation options in Belfast as well as other things to see and do, go to www.discovernothernireland.com