NI going '˜cocoa' over chocolate

As thousands of chocoholics and foodies gear up for the highly-anticipated return of the biennial Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival this weekend, outstanding chefs and leading local artisan food producers are joining up with festival organisers to ensure that the three-day festival offers a foodie experience not to be missed.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Sep 2016, 09:28 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2016, 13:53 BST
A 'sweet' gig for local chefs: Chefs Roy Abraham, The Smuggler'"s Table, Killyleagh and Danny Millar, The Poacher's Pocket, Lisbane, team up to announce the chocolate-packed line-up for the 2016 Finnebrogue Artisan Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival.A 'sweet' gig for local chefs: Chefs Roy Abraham, The Smuggler'"s Table, Killyleagh and Danny Millar, The Poacher's Pocket, Lisbane, team up to announce the chocolate-packed line-up for the 2016 Finnebrogue Artisan Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival.
A 'sweet' gig for local chefs: Chefs Roy Abraham, The Smuggler'"s Table, Killyleagh and Danny Millar, The Poacher's Pocket, Lisbane, team up to announce the chocolate-packed line-up for the 2016 Finnebrogue Artisan Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival.

Sponsored by artisan producer Finnebrogue, based in nearby Downpatrick and famous for their outstanding quality venison and sausages, among other favourites, this year’s festival will be the largest one yet, with over 15 chocolatiers and nearly 40 local artisan food producers scheduled to set up camp at the historic Killyleagh Castle for the weekend-long festival.

The festival will kick off on Friday 23rd September with the Chocolate Ball which will take place on the grounds of the stunning Killyleagh Castle, one of Ireland’s longest-inhabited castles.

Guests will be treated to a chocolate-rich menu prepared and curated by the Chef Simon Dougan of Yellow Door and Finnebrogue consultant development chef Chris Burt, followed by world class entertainment set in a stunning marquee against the backdrop of Killyleagh Castle.

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The three-day celebration will continue on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September with the Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival. In addition to a range of family-friendly activities to enjoy on the grounds of Killyleagh Castle, guests can also take advantage of live cooking demos led by Chef Burt alongside leading local chefs including Chefs Danny Millar, Balloo Inns; Roy Abraham, The Smuggler’s Table; and Fernando Correa, Quails at the Gallery, among others hosted by Food NI.

Incorporating locally-grown and sourced produce paired with chocolate elements and even a chocolate stout from local Mourne Mountains Brewery, these chefs will bring home the theme of local cooking with a touch of chocolate in honour of Sir Hans.

Visitors to the castle can also explore the wide range of chocolatiers’ displays and market stalls, taste and purchase local artisan produce and street food, and and be entertained by the activities for the whole family, offering serious fun for all in 2016!

Joining the line-up of this year’s festival is the Cancer Fund for Children, who have been confirmed as the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising activities.

The leading local charity provides practical, emotional and financial support to children and young people affected by cancer and their families. The charity offers therapeutic short breaks to families at Daisy Lodge, Newcastle, just a short drive from Killyleagh.

For further information on all events taking place and to book tickets visit visit www.hanssloane.com or follow the Killyleagh Chocolate Festival on Twitter @KillyleaghChoc or facebook.com/KillyleaghChocFest.

Related topics:Downpatrick