Grow Your Food programme for publicans
The course focuses on innovation, locally-sourced produce and value-for-money in providing a great food and drink experience in the pub.
The day-long ‘Grow Your Food Reputation’ programme’ is a workshop aimed at VFI members seeking a broader understanding of local sourcing along with crafting the ‘story’ of their pub. The course also ensures participants are equipped with the know-how and tools to optimise profits whilst offering a high-quality food and drink experience.
Those already attending this course report that it gave them a renewed focus and energy for bringing their food offer to the next level.
A number of participants cite the module on digital storytelling as being particularly useful, with case studies and ‘best practise’ examples from other pubs utilised to provide a deeper understanding of how publicans can learn to tell their story and connect with customers.
The programme allows publicans to spend time ‘on’ their business instead of ‘in’ their business, commented VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben, “A strategic approach to food is essential for both experienced and novice food pubs,” he said, “The case studies utilised throughout the workshop are full of practical tips from publicans around Ireland who are more than happy to share their wisdom with our members”.
Paul Keeley, Director of Commercial Development at Fáilte Ireland, added, “Ireland’s food and drink offering has a significant role to play in contributing to the value of Irish tourism: enhancing visitor experiences, increasing and improving the visitor’s overall stay and growing spend. The whole area of ‘Food Tourism’ has grown in importance over the last decade with high quality local experiences now a major contributor to a visitor’s holiday satisfaction. The implementation of the ‘Grow Your Food Reputation Programme’ is providing pubs with a leading role to play in delivering on these great experiences.”
The Grow Your Food Reputation programme continues until mid-November. Publicans interested in further information can contact VFI HQ at 01 492 3400 or email enquiries@vfipubs.ie
Remaining workshops:
| October 18th | Thursday | South Kerry/ West Cork | The Brick Oven, Bantry |
| October 23rd | Tuesday | Kildare / Wicklow | Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge |
| October 30th | Tuesday | Kerry / Limerick | The Horse Shoe, Listowel |
| November 1st | Thursday | Wexford / Carlow | Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy |
| November 6th | Tuesday | Tipperary | Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh. |
| November 13th | Tuesday | Galway / Connemara | Galway Bay Hotel |
