Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival is ready to roll

The focus is on showcasing the area’s great food and drink providers and letting the town’s best chefs show off their culinary brilliance.

A purpose built food marquee will be built in Main Street car park and hosts two packed days of cookery demonstrations (with a cocktail master class), all hosted by Sarah Travers.

Local talented and award winning chefs from the Bushmills Inn, Old Bushmills Distillery, Bartali, Tartine-Distillers Arms, Causeway Hotel and Bayview Hotel will all take part in the food fest showcase as the chefs put their own creative slant on the very best of local home grown produce.

Celebrity chef and contributor to The Observer Food Magazine, Romy Gill, is flying in from Bristol to spice things up as she joins the line up on Saturday and Sunday. Romy’s food celebrates the flavours she grew up with taking influence not only from her Indian heritage but also her modern British lifestyle creating a unique style of Anglo-Indian cooking. Romy showcases at both national and international food festivals and will add her own style to a range of local produce to showcase the versatility of Northern Ireland produce.

The food theme continues onto Main Street as the Festival welcomes the Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market. The popular addition will feature 25 stalls each day showcasing the best local food producers and niche craft suppliers.

Bushmills Distillery will be jam packed once again with a range of enticements like the free whiskey tasting, live music, a fashion show and a reading by the author of, ‘The Spirit of the Meadow Burn’ : How Bushmills Whiskey Really Got Its Flavour’.

The unique salmon station will open its doors on Saturday to welcome visitors and showcase ‘The Cycle of Wild Atlantic Salmon’, as well as an angling simulator, fly tying and casting demonstrations and PRONI will be in residence to host talks on family history and provide opportunity for visitors to view archive records held.

The Swing Gals are on stage with an entertaining blend of 40s classics and razzmatazzFresh aromas, vivid colours, eclectic treasures, buzzing crowds - a mere stroll amongst the many stalls of an Artisan Market are enough to invigorate the senses and whet the appetiteand the rest of the Main Street Stage entertainment features Kelly Neil School of Dance, Dominic Graham School of dance and at least three groups of local musicians.

Filling out the rest of the programme is World of Owls, have a go archery, craft workshops, town tours, The Singing Chefs and The Quiet Men. Additional free parking is available at Dunluce School.

Further information available on www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.gov.uk and social media (Causeway Coast Events) or telephone Bushmills Visitor Information Centre on 028 2073 0390.