Pork processor backs Northern Irish chocolate festival

Pork and venison processor Artisan Finnebrogue is backing Northern Ireland's three day-long Chocolate and Fine Food festival.

The company, based at Downpatrick in county Down, is sponsoring the Hans Sloane Chocolate and Fine Food Festival which runs from 23rd-25th September and is on line to be the biggest ever showcase of local chocolate producers and other artisan food businesses.

This year's festival will have over 15 chocolatiers and nearly 40 local artisan food producers scheduled to take part in for the unique festival.

Founded in 2010 to celebrate Killyleagh's most famous son, Hans Sloane, who was born in the village in 1660 and later became one of the most famous personalities of his time partially because of his development of milk chocolate, the biennial festival has grown from strength to strength and is now regarded as one of the leading events of its type in the UK and Ireland and a highlight of the summer calendar in Northern Ireland.

"Now in our 4th festival season, the committee is working tirelessly to ensure that this year's Finnebrogue Artisan Hans Sloane Chocolate and Fine Food Festival is the best one yet. With increased interest in our abundance of local produce and artisan suppliers with thanks to 2016's Year of Food & Drink, our chocolate-themed festival stands as a unique event," says Meave Davison, festival committee member.

"We look forward to welcoming guests coming from as close as Killyleagh and as far as mainland Europe who will share in this special festival."

The festival starts on Friday 23rd September with the Chocolate Ball which will take place on the grounds of Killyleagh Castle, one of Ireland's longest-inhabited castles. Guests will be treated to a chocolate-rich menu prepared by the top chef Simon Dougan of Yellow Door in Portadown in county Armagh and Finnebrogue consultant development chef Chris Burt.

Pic Caption: Denis Lynn, Artisan Finnebrogue chairman, left, with Hans Sloane, lookalike