HOME-GROWN sleb chef Aiden Byrne has got a new role promoting home grown food.
This week he launches the Food Tourism Connect project, which will promote food produced in and around Liverpool and the advertising of local food events,
Food Tourism Connect is funded by the Rural Development Programme for England. The initiative is seen as a commitment to raising the profile of rurally produced food among visitors to Liverpool City Region and to drive demand by promoting it direct to consumers, buyers and wholesalers. Funding was successfully secured from the Rural Development Programme for England, with Defra as the managing authority.
A wide variety of local producers have already signed up to the project, including Claremont Farm on the Wirral, Acorn Farm in Kirkby, Aintree-based bread makers French Corner and George Wright Brewery in Rainford.
Kirkby-born Byrne, formerly head chef at the Dorchester and the youngest ever chef to receive a Michelin Star, says he supports the campaign because of his own commitment to using locally grown, fresh ingredients.
“This region has a great deal to celebrate when it comes to food production. The food we produce is of the highest quality and it is about time we started creating a strong brand in the way other food producing regions have," he said.
Walter Bouffard-Roupe, of The French Corner in Aintree, said: “This project is great news for businesses like ours. We know that the quality of our products is such that we could easily attract a wider customer base, but it is reaching that wider audience that can be difficult for us as small businesses.
“This project has come at just the right time, and will enable us to showcase the Liverpool City Region’s produce to hotels, restaurants and wholesalers across the land.”
