Top chefs challenged to create Northern Irish Signature Dish

Four of Northern Ireland's top chefs have been tasked to create three brand new locally-inspired dishes, one of which will be named as Northern Ireland's New Signature Dish.

The unique commission is part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 celebrations and involves four chefs, referred to as the 'cooking collective'. They are Niall McKenna from James Street South in Belfast; Ian Orr from Brown's Restaurant and Ardtara House in county Derry; Kelan McMichael from Bull and Ram in Ballynahinch, county Down and Chris McGowan from Wine and Brine in Moira, county Antrim. The challenge has been set by Tourism NI.

They have the incredibly difficult task of coming up with three delicious finalist dishes, using only produce from Northern Ireland, explains Susie Brown, director of Corporate Development at Tourism NI.

"We are very excited about the prospect of a new signature dish for Northern Ireland. Our firm favourites like stew and champ are so familiar to us all but we want to create a lasting food legacy as part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 to live on long after the year-long celebration is over and that is what the Signature Dish is all about.

"Once we have our three finalist dishes, we will ask the public to vote online for which dish they think should be named Northern Ireland's New Signature Dish," adds Susie.

Very soon, everyone will be able to see a picture of the final three dishes, details of all the ingredients and information on how to vote for their favourite dish.

The chefs are only allowed to use Northern Ireland produce and the dishes must all be new but other than that there are no rules.

The Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 has been a resounding success, bringing together many key industry partners working in collaboration to maximize the opportunity of showcasing key producers, chefs and restaurateurs. The process of finding Northern Ireland's New Signature Dish is another chance to celebrate our food and drink and the people who make it, grow it and cook it.

Local people are encouraged to suggest their own dishes by logging on to www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland and www.twitter.com/DiscoverNI.

Pic Caption: Four of NI's top chefs (L-R) - Kelan McMichael from the Bull and Ram, Chris McGowan from Wine and Brine, Niall McKenna of James Street South and Ian Orr of Browns Restaurant & Ardtara Country House Hotel have joined forces with Tourism Northern Ireland to come up with three brand news dishes which all have the potential to be named Northern Ireland's New Signature Dish.