RAI launches 2nd ‘Food Towns’ competition

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has launched this year’s search for Ireland’s premier foodie destination.

The ‘Foodie Towns 2015’ competition sees towns and communities all over the country battle it out to be named Ireland’s top town/destination for a foodie experience. In only its second year, Foodie Towns has separated itself out from the Irish Restaurant Awards due to its success in 2014. Dingle was crowned the top foodie town in Ireland last year.

The ‘Foodie Town of Ireland’ award recognises a town/destination that actively promotes itself through joint promotional activities such as food festivals, gourmet trails or farmers’ markets as well as offering a great dining experiences to locals and visitors alike. The winning Irish town/destination will have established a local producer/supplier network utilised and promoted by local businesses. Plans for future growth and investment into the food and hospitality industry at local level will also be taken into consideration by judges. Education, training, development and employment will be key components of the ultimate foodie destination.

Chambers of Commerce and other working groups can submit their applications and promote their area to both local people and visitors.

Collaboration is vital for the success of any community-based project and could mean the difference between the winner and runners-up.

The winning town/destination will be announced in October.

“Irish people take great pride in their localities and the dynamic nature of the hospitality industry will serve to prove that there are destinations in every pocket of the country worth visiting,” commented RAI President Anthony Gray.

 

The Application Process

• Applicants can enter the competition by downloading the form available on ie and sending it in by post or e-mail

• The application must be submitted by a minimum of three businesses or a business organisation/local authority/community group

• Deadline for receipt of applications is Monday 7^th of September

• All applications will be reviewed and a shortlist of 10 finalists will be announced on Friday 11^th of September

• The 10 finalists will then be subject to a pre-arranged visit by an independent assessor

• A national public voting campaign will also be held with each of the 10 finalists canvassing the country to vote for their foodie town/destination

• The final decision will be made by combining the judges’ votes with the public vote – both carry equal weight and both components account for 50% of the overall score a town/destination receives

 

For further information and details on the application process see: www.foodietowns.ie or contact the RAI office on 01 677 9901.