Gourmet Garden

Show time for gardens as annual event branches out

WITH 25,000 people expected to attend over three days, the 2011 Garden Show Ireland has come a long way since its beginning, seven years ago.

“When we ran the first show in 2004 at Balmoral, it was tiny,” recalls director, Claire Faulkner. “It’s really expanded this year and there’s a lot more happening – especially with the Growers Pavilion which will have magnificent displays of specialist plants and flowers.

“With the expertise of the nurseries willingly passed on to the purchaser, it’s a wonderful place to learn how to nurture your new purchases. Seven years ago, there were only a handful of displays.”

As well as being a Mecca for gardeners, the event has become an annual outing for families and for others to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the stunning surroundings of Hillsborough Castle.

“We’ve been able to host such a big show this year thanks to our move out to the Walled Garden at the Castle,” explains Claire. “It will be a real day out for everyone.

“You’re not just coming to a garden show, there are all sorts of things going on for children and parents and for couples and individuals who fancy coming along and enjoying a glass of wine, delicious local produce and listening to some jazz music.

“Visitors can also enjoy the Food Market and Craft Pavilion.

“Hillsborough Castle is a beautiful venue. As well as the walled garden, the castle gardens will also be open to show visitors all weekend.”

Making the most of your garden is a key theme at this year’s show; from rearing chickens and growing vegetables to keeping bees and dining in style, or even making jewellery out of flowers you have grown.

Says Claire: ‘‘This year, there’s a big emphasis on growing your own food and also cooking it. Over the last few years, this has become more of a trend in Northern Ireland.

“Garden guru and authority on ‘growing your own’, Pippa Greenwood from BBC’s Gardener’s World programme is coming over, which is a bit of a coup. She has developed her own organic kitchen garden which she will be talking about.

“Pippa will be part of our road show team, which also includes Dermot O’Neill from RTE1’s Dermot’s Secret Garden and both will be doing Q&A sessions. On the central stage, at different times over the three days, BBC Radio Ulster’s Cherrie McIlwaine will be interviewing Pippa and our other experts.”

Another new feature this year is a children’s fashion show on Sunday morning, organised by House of Fraser and a best-dressed competition, but it won’t necessarily be all about hats and frocks, says Claire.

Teach Every Child About Food | Gourmet Garden

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This something that we wanted to share but have gotten out of sight. Finally we found this drafted post while doing housekeeping.

At times while dining out,  we get to chance upon people who order too much food and can’t finish their share, and there are occasions when we see parents having difficulty getting their children eating proper food that will be the basis for healthy living . Start them young, feed them real and proper food and reduce the opportunity for them to get in touch with junk food or fast food.

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