DUBLIN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of Hong Kong chefs has been invited to Ireland by an Irish government agency in an attempt to promote the Irish food, especially its quality beef and lamp products in China.
This was disclosed by Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia (Irish Food Board), a government body tasked to promote the Irish food, drink and horticulture industries, while announcing on Monday the successful conclusion of Bloom 2018, a five-day event of garden and food shows held in the Irish capital Dublin.
Members of the delegation visited the Bloom festival in Phoenix Park on its final day as special quests of Bord Bia, during which they experienced the varied food offering at the event, said McCarthy.
According to McCarthy, the delegation members are finalists in an EU-funded culinary competition recently held in Hong Kong during which they were challenged to design a two-course beef and lamb menu, fusing Eastern and Western flavors.
They will also make a trip around Ireland, visiting farms and factories to get a first-hand impression about the quality of the Irish food production, she said, adding that they will be joined by a high-profile Chinese social media influencer who will relay her experience at Bloom 2018 and in Ireland to her large number of followers.
This is a great opportunity to continue to raise the profile of Ireland as a source of quality food and beverages as we look to expand the range of exports to China and Hong Kong following a recent week-long trade mission to China and Hong Kong, which was led by the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said McCarthy.
"China is now Ireland's third largest market overall while Hong Kong is one of the most exciting places in the world for cuisine right now which is a great fit for Irish food and drink, and we think there's a real opportunity for us to contribute to that developing food culture," she said.