Offaly's food champion heads to Canada

Offaly's Fáilte Ireland food champion Yvonne Carty of Hey Pesto! jetted off to Canada this week for a food tourism benchmarking trip to Prince Edward County. While in Canada Yvonne will experience a bespoke itinerary developed by renowned food tourism destination expert Rebecca LeHeup, as well as meeting the people behind developing businesses in Canada. Fáilte Ireland's head of food tourism John Mulcahy said the plan is for Yvonne to work with the local community in Offaly on her return to help build Ireland's food tourism reputation and encourage visitors to stop, spend and stay longer. Yvonne also has another job on her return to Offaly - teaching others to make impressive meals in her 'Easy Entertaining' classes in Hugh Lynch's on Kilbride Street. Beginning on November 1, classes are also scheduled for November 8 and November 15. The two hour classes running from 7.30pm to 9.30pm will see participants learn to make a starter, main course and dessert each week as well as a few other bites. Classes cost €20, or €50 for all three and include recipes and tastings. More information and booking is available at 087 2505422 or hughlynchs.com.