Armagh Food & Cider Weekend is back on the menu this month

Northern Ireland’s best-loved celebration of local food and drink is officially back on the menu this autumn as Armagh’s Food & Cider weekend safely returns next month with an exciting new line-up of events including cider tastings, orchard tours and grand farm-to-fork treats.
Pictured (L-R): John and Jane Nicholson from Crannagael House, Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, John Whyte, Head Chef at Armagh City Hotel and Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Savage. Picture: Philip MagowanPictured (L-R): John and Jane Nicholson from Crannagael House, Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, John Whyte, Head Chef at Armagh City Hotel and Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Savage. Picture: Philip Magowan
Pictured (L-R): John and Jane Nicholson from Crannagael House, Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, John Whyte, Head Chef at Armagh City Hotel and Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Savage. Picture: Philip Magowan

Famed the world over for its Armagh Bramley apples, top class cider and its local quality cuisine, the region’s award-winning food and drink experience will share its proud heritage with locals and visitors alike from Thursday 24 until Sunday September 27.

Food and drink lovers this year are invited to enjoy more than 20 pre-bookable events to celebrate Armagh’s unrivalled Food Heartland status and the warmth of its welcome in the ultimate weekend of culinary indulgence.

Already six years old, this annual weekend in one of this Island’s top foodie destinations and provides a perfect pairing of gastronomic delights and cidery experiences that will have you coming back for more.

Pictured (L-R): Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, John Whyte and Head Chef at Armagh City Hotel. Picture: Philip MagowanPictured (L-R): Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, John Whyte and Head Chef at Armagh City Hotel. Picture: Philip Magowan
Pictured (L-R): Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, John Whyte and Head Chef at Armagh City Hotel. Picture: Philip Magowan

This special gourmet weekend is led from the front by some of the area’s best local chefs, including Ireland’s Hotel Head Chef of the Year, John Whyte, from Armagh City Hotel, and Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars Catering, Simon Dougan, Yellow Door Deli, Joyce Brownless, Blackwell House and Fiona and Rory Chapman from On the Hoof as well as a legion of local food producers who have worked creatively together to produce a unique menu of food events that combine tradition and contemporary taste.

Weekend highlights include tours of Armagh’s famed apple orchards accompanied by exclusive tastings and talks with global cider expert and author Gabe Cook and a scrumptious five-course feast curated by Gareth Reid from 4 Vicars’ Catering at the stunning Crannagael House.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Kevin Savage, said: “Enriched by a beautiful landscape and a welcome that will warm your heart, Armagh is the perfect location to celebrate this year’s harvest and the quality, heritage and experience we have producing the best food and drink available anywhere in the world.

“Developed with everyone’s safety in mind, this year’s special series of events rightly commends our proud past and our present culinary successes and I’m delighted that this award-winning event is back on the menu this year so that more people can enjoy our local provenance, meet the people behind it and share many memorable stories for years to come.”

Supported by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, this year’s weekend includes many of the area’s leading visitor venues including Blackwell House, Long Meadow Cider Company, Armagh Cider Company, FE McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Elmfield Estate, Crannagael House, Armagh City Hotel, Navan Centre & Fort, The Vault and Groucho’s on the Square.

There is also plenty to entertain younger family members too, including a lunch inspired by the Celts at Navan Centre & Fort and a foraging event at Oxford Island to seek out wild and tasty ingredients. From Armagh City to Banbridge, Scarva and Portadown to Markethill and Richhill, there are plenty of tasty events to get your teeth into.

Highlights include a Sushi Masterclass at Armagh City Hotel on September 24 where Lough Neagh Eel, Ardglass Crab, smoked salmon, shellfish and locally grown wasabi will be combined in a taste for the senses. Or try a Vegetarian Tasting Evening at Crannagael House.

Step into the award-winning Blackwell House kitchen to experience and learn alongside proprietors Steve and Joyce on Friday September 25 or Saturday September 26 for a Cakes and Bakes Masterclass. Or enjoy a Cider Discovery Tour across Armagh City Centre.

Armagh Food & Cider Weekend carries the accredited ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard developed by VisitEngland in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, which means all events fully adhere to government and public health guidance.

To see the full programme of events and to book your place at these unmissable events, visit www.visitarmagh.com/foodandcider.