It’s the highlight of Belfast’s foodie calendar, and this year even bigger helpings are on offer from Belfast Restaurant Week. Organisers are inviting over 100 of the city’s finest restaurants, gastro-pubs and cafes to sign up and get involved in the week-long initiative designed to promote Belfast’s food scene and boost the city’s diverse and award-winning choice of venues.
Restaurants across the city have almost three weeks to sign up for the event, which is being championed by new Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nichola Mallon, funded by Belfast City Council and supported by Visit Belfast, NITB and the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme administered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Belfast Food Network.
Kicking off on Saturday 4 October 2014 with Taste and Dine at City Hall featuring pop up restaurants, chef demos and foodie fun over two days, the week will feature a programme of celebratory events, specially-designed menus and offers, as well as food focused events – all championing the city’s vibrant restaurant scene. From food and wine tastings, to tasty treat giveaways, cookery demonstrations and celebrity chef cook-offs, our hospitality industry will serve up a menu-busting programme of events for every taste.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nichola Mallon, said:
“Food Tourism is crucial for the success of Belfast and we want to build on the support we have provided over two very successful years and make Belfast Restaurant Week 2014 even bigger and better this year. Belfast’s restaurant scene has much to be proud of and boasts some of the most talented, driven and enthusiastic chefs and food heroes, so this initiative is an ideal opportunity for local restaurants right across the city to get involved in a week-long festival which will promote eating out in the city and encourage diners from near and far to enjoy the variety of great food options that Belfast has on offer.”
“The Council is pleased to give its support to the city’s many restaurants, cafes, gastro-pubs and local hotels that make a major contribution to the local economy as well as creating significant employment opportunities across the city”.
Belfast Restaurant Week is part of a dedicated tourism development initiative by Belfast City Council designed to develop and promote the city’s important restaurant and hospitality sector.
Anne McMullan, Marketing and Communications Director of Visit Belfast, the organisation that coordinates the marketing and promotion of the event, said: “Belfast’s vibrant restaurant scene is an important tourism offering that helps attract many thousands of visitors to the city as well as making their experience more enjoyable.”
“Belfast Restaurant Week is all about promoting the abundance of great eating out options, showcasing our local produce and encouraging everyone to eat out more frequently, sample new menus and experience the variety of choice on offer all providing a real taste of Belfast.”
Restaurants keen to take part in Belfast Restaurant Week 2014, which runs from 4 – 11 October 2014, are encouraged to register their interest by 27 June 2014 deadline, by visiting www.visit-belfast.com/brw or contacting Visit Belfast 028 9023 9026 / reception@visit-belfast.com