New food innovation centre major boost for smaller producers

A new centre to assist the development of new food products by smaller enterprises and also to encourage business starts especially in the region around Derry has been established in Northern Ireland.

Foodovation, under the direction of food development centre manager Brian McDermott, is a new state-of-the- art research and development centre to facilitate excellence in food innovation, science and technology. The centre is based at the North West Regional College of Further Education in Derry city.

Fully equipped with the most advanced facilities and latest technology, the Foodovation centre contains a food science lab, development and production kitchens, kitchen studio photography and videography, meeting rooms, a taste testing room and barista coffee training school.

As well as encouraging and nurturing small to medium sized food businesses, Foodovation will provide industry specialists with the technical advice to ensure their route to market is successful and sustainable.

Foodovation has been developed as a one-stop-shop for current and aspiring food industry producers, and has already celebrated success in the form of stock maker Carol Banham who has made the centre her new workplace, and Limavady pig farmer Alastair Crown from Corndale Farm, Northern Ireland's first chorizo producer.

Brian McDermott says the college has already been delivering hands-on advice and support to industries from experienced and skilled food development chefs and technologists, through the innovation voucher scheme.

He continues: "North West Regional College prides itself on strong delivery and supporting the food sector. We have enjoyed huge success so far and look forward to building on this and growing. This is first venue in the North West that offers a complete end-to-end new product development model for food producers in the region."

College Principal Leo Murphy adds: "North West Regional College has been committed to investing its resources to support the food and hospitality sector. We continue to lead the way in developing skills which allow industries to develop new product ideas, generate employment opportunities within the sector and support economic growth across the region."

Top chef Neven Maguire, the special guest at the opening of Foodovation, says: "The centre will be a great asset to the college and will be very important for food producers locally. Foodovation is great centre for students to see and will be so educational. This is a great opportunity and there is a great future in food in this country."

Pic caption: Brian McDermott, manager of the new Foodovation centre in Derry with chef Neven Maguire.