TG4’s weather girl Cáitlín Nic Aoidh has brought sunlight to Galway at the launch of touRRoir18, a cross sector global forum by Good Food Ireland on food, tourism & culture.
The Good Food Ireland symposium will take place on the 23rd and 24th of April at NUI Galway this year, bringing together thought leaders, experienced practitioners and change agents across the three sectors.
It will coincide with Galway’s designation as European Region of Gastronomy as Galway continues to grow its international status in all three sectors of food, tourism and culture in the lead up to being European Capital of Culture in 2020.
The events will feature unique cross sector dialogues, exploring the ways that the links between these three sectors can help companies can grow business, help local communities flourish and ensure destinations have a more successful and sustainable economic future.
Margaret Jeffares, Founder and Managing Director, Good Food Ireland said: “Food, Tourism and Culture represent giant “industries” in their own right and combined, account for the lion’s share of global employment, while their cross-sector effect on businesses and communities and their economies and social fabric is hugely significant.”
“Consumers search for authenticity and truth in terms of product, service and experience will have a major focus on the touRRoir18 theme ‘A Unified Force for Good: Food Tourism and Culture’. The quest for authenticity combined with a growing awareness of our increasingly fragile physical and socio-political environments and increasing concern of the long term effects of technology disruption is raising major policy questions at the highest levels particularly in these three major economic sectors – Food, Tourism and Culture.
“All of which will have healthy debate at touRRoir18 on April 23rd and 24th in NUI Galway,” she added.
At touRRoir, business operators, food producers, farmers, tourism and hospitality operators and cultural programmers in Ireland will have the opportunity to meet key and highly influential international food experts, leading cultural figures and worldwide travel industry specialists over the two day global forum at NUI Galway.
Elaine Donohue, 2018 European Region of Gastronomy Programme Co-ordinator, said: “Galway’s acknowledgement as a food tourism and culture destination is recognized worldwide and these sectors continue to strive and achieve excellence and growth. Hosting such a global forum as touRRoir will enhance Galway’s ethos and positive focus on these significant areas.”
The programme for touRRoir18 includes a Hall of Fame Collaborative Gala Dinner on Monday 23rd April.
This is the only recognition in the world for individuals, teams or destinations whose vision, creativity and drive has had a positive and significant impact on the cross sector development of food, tourism and culture, where the confluence of these three sectors have effected change to drive business or where soft power and Gastrodiplomacy initiatives have raised profile or changed an image.
The Dinner will bring together internationally acclaimed chefs who will craft a menu inspired by Galway and the West of Ireland’s landscape and seascape on the Wild Atlantic Way using a supreme array of Irish produce.
This inspirational dining experience will also feature Irish producers and craft drink pairings.
On Tuesday 24th April, attendees will hear from world-class practitioners and experts in a unique exchange of experiences, expertise & learnings from both within and across the Food, Tourism and Culture sectors.
Keynotes and panel discussions from food travel experts, international chefs, hospitality and travel industry professionals and key influencers in soft power and culture as well as technology change agents will bring latest trends, best-in-class thinking and cutting-edge innovation to our global audience.
An essential ingredient of touRRoir is audience interactivity and open debate.
The Networking Drinks and Cultural Reception followed by the Networking Showcase Dinner will provide opportunities for chefs and food and drink producers to highlight the best of local Irish craft drinks and food produce and cuisine with special acknowledgement for the Galway and the West of Ireland’s status as 2018 European Region of Gastronomy.
The Networking Showcase Dinner will showcase what makes Ireland so desirable. Good Food Ireland will serve up not just dinner but a cultural bonanza. Delegates and guests will be fully immersed in Ireland’s food culture as chefs and food producers collaborate to create a unique Irish food experience.
Chefs will cook live and people will have the chance to meet farmers, fishermen, butchers, bakers and cheese-makers and hear their stories as while tasting their food produce.
