Normandy choose New Ross to develop links with food and culture day

Speaking ahead of the arrival of the inaugural Normandy Food Tour to Ireland this June Bank Holiday weekend Michael Dodds said: “We are very excited to take the Normandy Food Tour to Ireland for the very first time. It will be an opportunity for our Norman cousins to enjoy an authentic experience in food, culture and music from the Contentin Peninsula (in Normandy).”

Mr Dodds said; “We look to Ireland as our closest European neighbour and we recognise the opportunity that Brexit has created. We are looking forward to meeting with stakeholders across Ireland and building cooperation not only in tourism but trade and cultural links and possibly even exploring the possibility of identifying thematic tourism to further showcase the shared experiences of Normandy and Norman Ireland.

“We very carefully selected to visit the cities and towns of Dublin, Waterford and New Ross where Norman heritage runs deep and it will be a wonderful opportunity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a flavour of this shared heritage during our Food Tour of New Ross town on bank holiday Monday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.”

Normandy food trucks will arrive en masse to serve up tasty sweet and savoury dishes with tastings on offer all day long. Chez l’Couz marries the finest Normandy beef with creamy camembert and Neufchtel cheese served up in a soft bun. Grignot’Malin will be serving up traditional French crpes filled with cheese and more. And who can resist dessert, especially when it’s Caravanille preparing delicious fresh brioches topped with Normandy delicacies.

A Normandy Sweet Treats Tasting will also be on offer with Cara-Meuh, La Maison Du Biscuit cakes, Jeannette Madeleines, Caramel De Pommes Dieppois apple spread and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to bring some home, thanks to cheese vendor La Dgusterie.

Traditional brews will also be on offer and visitors can enjoy a cider-tasting experience with Cidrerie de la Brique where visitors can journey from the traditional methods through to styles defining the future. There will also be a Calvados tasting of Chateau du Breuil and Busnel apple brandies. La Mont Vinette, a bar in a vintage caravan will also be offering samples of their unique and authentic Normandy cocktails. A demo stage will see a schedule of fabulous

Normandy chefs cook up traditional and innovative cuisine including `Escalope la Normande’, Teurgoule rice pudding along with the universally loved brioche. Totally free-to-attend master classes will be held throughout the day with sampling some of Normandy’s best exports available plus a family-friendly crepe demonstration activity will be showcased each afternoon.

Joining the food and drinks producers are the Normandy Tourist Board who are keen to build upon the historic Norman connections and to share the heritage and cultural offerings available in picturesque Normandy.

To top the celebrations off visitors to each of the food tour stops will be entertained by the French musicians For the Hackers, who will be performing for the very first time in Ireland. Hailing from Dieppe, Normandy, these indie-rockers have been active for about a decade now, and have numerous hits to their name. Their blend of pop, rock and electro with French lyrics is guaranteed to impress.

The Normandy Food Tour is a free-to-attend family-friendly event with live music, free cookery demos, tasting opportunities and more. See https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/normandy-food-tour/ for more details.