The first ever Food Futures 2030 event in Laois takes place next Wednesday in the Heritage Hotel in Killenard.
The event is being run by Laois County Council in conjunction with Laois LEO and Laois Partnership, as part of the Connect 2 Laois for Food programme. This exciting event will bring food service operators, food producers and buyers together under the one roof.
An exciting line up of speakers has been organised which includes Laois’ very own Darina Allen, Domini Kemp from Itsa, Hatch & Sons etc, Olivia Duff, Boyne Valley Food Series and Fáilte Ireland Food Ambassador amongst others.
Food Futures is an industry event targeting buyers, suppliers, people working in the food, tourism, hospitality & retail sectors. If you are thinking of starting a business in the food or hospitality business, join us to hear our exciting speakers, panel discussions and Showcase of Laois food
“If you are thinking of starting a business in the food or hospitality business, join us to hear our exciting speakers, panel discussions and Showcase of Laois food,” say the Connect 2 Laois team who are organising the event.
One of the keynote speakers at the event is award-winning business owner, chef and food writer Domini Kemp. She spoke to us about the importance of supporting local food producers both nationally and internationally.
We asked Domini some questions about her experience and hopes for Irish food in the future.
What do you hope to promote at this event?
It’s important that we all get involved about brining a community of different food producers together and to support each other’s product. This event is to showcase what’s happing to a local audience on a national level. We all learn from each other in this industry.
What inspired you to go into the food industry as a career?
I always loved food, working with different suppliers, developing a brand for the past 20 years, and the opportunity to be as creative as you like.
You have so many recipes, what would be your favourite dish?
I always find that a really difficult question, I know it may sound strange but I always find it depends on the weather. My favourite dish on a really cold day wouldn’t be my favourite dish on a hot summer’s day.
Who inspires you the most through the years in the food industry?
I have always loved working with so many suppliers through the years. The Allen family have been an inspiration to Irish food in general. It’s great to see how Irish food has come on so much over time.
Having two kids yourself, is it important to see them go into the food industry?
I think it is such a tough industry, it would be important to me that are 100% it is what they want to do and they go and get as much experience as they can before they choose it’s what they want to do. My oldest daughter loves cooking and is currently working front of house and she loves it.
What are you most looking forward to at this event?
There is so many exciting products being introduced at this event, I’m particularly excited to see the business that is aimed at young kids to eat their vegetables in a way that makes it fun.
