Tasty line-up set for Thursday's food fair

They say 'there's no such thing as a free lunch' but this Thursday (November 1) in Cavan Town, you can avail of some of the tastiest treats, from cheese to sausages to relishes to ice-cream, and everything in between, and all for free! 'This is The Taste of Cavan', the first food fair of its kind, with over 50 exhibitors and more than a few familiar faces, is being held at the Hotel Kilmore on the Dublin Road. It's not only a wonderful opportunity for local producers to showcase their products, it's also a great opportunity to taste the best produce available in the county. Watch some of Ireland's culinary experts, including Cavan's own Neven Maguire and Gearóid Lynch, as they demonstrate their skills, all introduced by RTE's Ella McSweeney, Master of Cermonies for the afternoon. Join Paolo Tullio for wine tasting and TV3 celebrity chef Catherine Leyden as she judges the secondary schools in competition for the Young Chef of County Cavan. The exhibition, which is free to the public will be launched by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine and runs from 1.30pm to 9.30pm with tastings and demonstrations. In conjunction with the free event, there are two other events where there is an entry fee. 'The Cavan Grill' (€10, including breakfast), 10-11am, a discussion over a full Cavan Breakfast, which will include special guests Matt Dempsey of The Farmers Journal, Eddie Downey, Deputy President at the Irish Farmers Association; Liz Wall, President Irish Country Association; Brendan Smith TD and a host of others discussing the issues of the day. In addition there is the Celebrity Cookery Demonstration at 9.15pm, where local celebrities - Joe Finnegan of Shannonside Northern Sound Radio, Cavan businessman Donal Keoghan, country singer Kathy Durkin, and Jack Keyes, Cavan County Manager - demonstrate their culinary skills as they cook the audience a three-course meal of Cavan produce. Proceeds from this event go to the Autistic Unit, St Felim's National School and Family and Friends of the Respite Centre, Cootehill. The meal costs €30 and tickets are strictly limited to 150, available from Majella, 087 7802049. For more information on This is The Taste of Cavan, contact Paddy Connaughton or Majella Tierney at (049) 437 8600 or email pconnaughton@cavanco.co.ie or mtierney@cavanco.co.ie.