Blacklion culinary black belt Neven Maguire will be attending the food festival on November 1.

Seamus Enright

Following on from the success of such events in other counties, Cavan County Council, in conjunction with Cavan Enterprise Board, Bord Bia and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), is to host the inaugural 'Taste of Cavan' event on November 1 at the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan town.

It is expected that between 40-50 local food exhibitors will attend the selling and tasting food extravaganza, which will also be attended by local celebrity chef Neven Maguire, restaurant reviewer and wine correspondent, Paolo Tullio and Ear to the Ground's Ella McSweeney.

There will also be a secondary schools' cook-off and a charity cook-off, children's entertainment and a local food producers' business breakfast at 10am, while entry is free to the general public.

Ballinagh county councillor Winston Bennett encouraged food lovers and food producers alike to attend the event, which he said would host the most delightful and delectable of Cavan culinary produce.

"It's going to be a great event, it runs from 2pm until 9pm and it will have the very best in food that this county has to offer."

County Manager Jack Keyes commented that the county had thus far been slow to capitalise on what this county has to offer in terms of food production, but saw it going forward as a major feather in cap in trying to attract more tourism to the region.

"In the branding of our county, food is something that can set us apart from everyone else. Look at Waterford, or Carlow who have begun promoting their counties as foodie counties, or Cork which has led the way in some respects.

"The potential to really promote our county through the food that we produce here, both through cottage industries and major supplies is something we can be proud of," he said.

For further details contact Paddy Connaughton on 0876846578 or Majella Tierney on 049-4378579.