GIG’s culinary team travel to Northern Ireland

GIG’s culinary team was recently invited by Invest Northern Ireland to tour the region and discover the amazing food and drink that it has to offer in a fact-finding mission for Operations both home and abroad, but specifically, as we aim to increase awareness to export and source a fantastic array of British produce for UK Pavilion at EXPO 2020.

The #GIGLegends were genuinely impressed with the array of amazing hotels, restaurants and, innovative food production on offer. With a well organised schedule, the team were treated to many scenic and gastronomic highlights from this wonderful part of the UK.

Along with high level retail buyers and importers from the UAE, the GIG team met with over 40 producers and suppliers during the course of the week that they spent there. These included:

 

Glenarm Estate’s organic farm Glens on Antrim crisps

Norbev a soft drinks manufacturer

Broighter Gold rapeseed oil

Holmes Bakery with its traditional bakery products, tray bakes and seasonal bakery lines

Burren Balsamics

Whites Oats

Armagh Cider & Juices

They discovered that many of the brands that it met with had a background in farming and had since diversified into food production.  With a great deal to offer, in terms of food and drink, the plan is to feature as much as possible within the UK Pavilion at Expo 2020. It will offer the brands access to the Middle East’s retail and food service market through the proper channels.

The GIG team felt that there were some fantastic stories to tell around innovation within the food and drink industry in Northern Ireland which they plan to capture and relay to guests visiting the Pavilion.

The tour culminated with a tour of Belfast City Hall and lunch with the city’s Lord Mayor Councillor Deirdre Hargey.

N.B. We will be seeking and selecting suppliers for EXPO 2020 in line with our culinary vision.  Details of how to register your interest have been published and can be accessed here.

Media Contact

Please contact Eventive Communications for more information