From the west of Ireland to the west of France, a Galway food group including Foods of Athenry, Gran Grans and Tribal Foods were among the producers who wowed at the recent Fête des Vins d’Anjou in the Loire region.

The group, who travelled along with Sheena Dignam of Galway Food Tours, aimed to showcase the diverse range of locally sourced produce in the west of Ireland, while also highlighting key SMEs and start-ups in the food industry to the French market.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the level of hospitality and generosity shown to us by the wonderful people of Chalonnes sur Loire,” said Siobhan Lawless of Foods of Athenry.

“Proud to be flying the flag for Galway, we were blown away by the response to our products and are confident that the insights gained will be of huge benefit to our future endeavours of adding France as an export market. And what we experienced there from a food-tourism perspective has inspired us as regards opportunities for possible visitor facilities here. Watch this space!”

Dominique Pairochon, president of the Fête des Vins d’Anjou, said that the Galway delegation had “really added to the wine festival, giving the French the opportunity to discover the beautiful products of the west of Ireland”.

“We look forward to our upcoming visit to the Bia Lover Festival in the beautiful historic town of Athenry on 17 and 18 June and to give the Irish public the chance to discover the fantastic wines of Anjou,” he said.

The trip was led by Galway Co Council in conjunction with Made in Galway, as part of Galway being awarded the Region of Gastronomy for 2018.

www.galwaygastronomy.ie