The Killeshin Hotel was bursting with food lovers at the recent Welcome to TASTE event. 200 eager food fans were joined by star guests Darina Allen and Chef Andrew Rudd for the prestigious launch of the new Laois TASTE Brand. The brand was developed in collaboration with 21 local food and drink producers to promote the provenance of Laois food, locally nationally and internationally.
The event began with a warm welcome from Laois TASTE Chairperson Helen Gee who informed the audience that this event was all about Laois food and drink producers and to help them discover the unique produce on offer across the county.
Laois County Council Chief Executive John Mulholland was invited by Helen Gee to officially launch the Laois TASTE brand. Mr Mulholland praised the efforts to support and promote the Laois food and drink producers and highlighted the important role the new brand will play enhancing the food and drink tourism sectors of Laois.
Darina Allen at the Laois You’re Welcome to Taste evening in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Darina Allen was next to take stage to share her experiences in Laois which ignited her lifelong passion for food and commending the producers on such a wide variety of produce which makes Laois food so unique.
Lauren Brennan, An Sean-Teach and Chef Andrew Rudd, Medley Ballintubbert House and Fleet Street at the Laois You’re Welcome to Taste evening in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Renowned Ballintubbert chef Andrew Rudd delivered an exciting cooking demonstration using locally sourced produce to create a medley of different meals. Andrew interacted with the guests while he prepared the four course meal, offering samples to the audience and bantering back and forth with the producers of the ingredients he was using.
The night ended with an open buffet of Laois produce and gave the guests a chance to mingle and speak with the producers and enquire about their products. Commending the incredible event put together by Laois Taste, Laois County Council, The Local Enterprise office and Laois Partnership Darina Allen quipped: “Cork better watch out”.
Time for food at the Laois You’re Welcome to Taste evening in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
With the new Laois Taste logo at the Laois You’re Welcome to Taste evening in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. From left: Jake Lawlor and Linda Meredith, Laois County Council; Helen Gee, chairperson Laois Taste; Gillian Reidy, Penhouse Design (creator of the logo); Evelyn Reddin, LEO and Denise Rainey, Laois County Council.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The large attendance at the Laois You’re Welcome to Taste evening in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
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