Lough Neagh eels make it on to the menu at London's prestigious Fortnum & Mason

Cathy Chauhan from Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-op meets Prince Charles at Fortnum & Mason in London

Hand-picked from a number of local fine food and drink producers, Production Development and Marketing Manager Cathy Chauhan told the Mail it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase their smoked eel range.

A 309-year-old iconic family business, Fortnum & Mason is famous for bringing the finest food and drink to customers from all over the world.

Between May 5-19, Cathy represented Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative at the store, and met Prince Charles, whom she said was very interested in eel.

Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative among the food producers invited to show their wares at prestigious Fortnum & Mason in London along with First Minister Arlene Foster

With customers from all over the world, she said it was also a great opportunity to let them taste Lough Neagh eels.

“We had a real range of international visitors to the stand as well as people who shop in Fortnum & Mason all the time,” she said.

“It was also encouraging a lot of Northern Irish people who live there, to come in and see products from home.

“There was a real mix of people and a really great reception to it. People were loving it and a lot of people who didn’t like fish, gave it a try.

First Minister joined NI producers at the event in London

“It’s not a heavy smoked product, smoked eel.”

As for what Prince Charles thought, she said: “He was very interested in eel in general and has a great interest in food and the environment, so he asked me a few questions about the seasonality of it.”

Cathy said the Co-op now hopes the event will open up some new lines of business.

“They already have some local suppliers in there,” she explained, “(but) we are hoping there’s a possibility that they’ll continue to take the product. We are having a tasting session with them just before the end of the promotion, so hopefully we’ll have some conversations with them then.”

Speaking at the event, First Minister, Arlene Foster said: “I am delighted to support Fortnum & Mason’s celebration of Northern Ireland Food and Drink. Invest NI has worked closely with Fortnum & Mason in delivering this showcase which, I have no doubt, will generate increased sales in Great Britain for many of our local businesses.”

Ewan Venters, CEO of Fortnum and Mason said: “Northern Ireland boasts an abundance of world-class produce. The quality of everything is astounding.”