Taste Causeway savours a successful year

“Being part of Taste Causeway, is like being part of a family – I’m not on my own in this journey.” Bonny Cooper was just one of over 40 business representatives that attended the Taste Causeway Annual General Meeting at Bushmills Distillery recently, and she shared with those in attendance, just how vital the collaborative network had been for her business, Golden Rickshaw. “As someone who runs their business solo, it is so wonderful to know that I belong to something bigger than myself, and that there is support when I need it from those who know what it’s like to run a food business.”

Bonny’s views were echoed by many of the artisan producers, chefs, hoteliers, experience, accommodation providers and business owners who gathered at the Distillery to mark another successful year for Taste Causeway members.

Charlotte Dixon, Owner of Elephant Rock Hotel in Portrush, who was recently named Entrepreneur of the Year, shared how the recent very successful Two Day Kitchen Takeover by renowned chef Stephane Delourme would not have happened without Taste Causeway’s Giant Taste event in March 2024. Stephane was one of the guests who visited the region as part of the showcase event hosted by Taste Causeway earlier in the year, and he was so impressed by Elephant Rock that he vowed to return for the September event.

Causeway Boats owner Richard Connor, who orchestrated the Red Bull Cliff Diving event in Ballycastle this summer, highlighted how impressed the international guests were with the local food and drink offering, and how Taste Causeway has been hugely instrumental in establishing the Causeway Coast and Glens as a food destination – through the collaboration of producers, experience providers, accommodation providers and chefs.

The range of new products now available from local producers has grown significantly in the past number of years – many of which are a result of the collaborations between Taste Causeway members, including Dunluce Distillery’s Coffee Liqueur, with Causeway Coffee; Dundarave Estate’s Bushmills Whiskey Fudge, Causeway Coffee’s exclusive blend, and The Chocolate Manor’s new Whiskey Truffle range – all now on sale in Bushmills Distillery; and Paula McIntyre’s Gin & Rum produced with Basalt Distillery. Further collaborative products are due to be launched in the coming months.
In addition, the breadth of food and drink experiences now on offer for guests to the region has bloomed thanks to collaborative projects between members; The Golden Rickshaw worked with Ursa Minor Bakery in Ballycastle on a culinary dining experience; A Taste of Castlerock showcased the finest local produce in Mussenden Temple; North Coast Cocktails developed the Irish Coffee Masterclass featuring members’ produce; Crindle Bespoke have incorporated local delights as part of their food offering alongside their equestrian experiences; and Chestnutt’s Farm collaborate with Infuse Tea – the perfect pairing.
“It’s all down to Taste Causeway that I was able to diversify my business from the Lamb Van to offering Shepherdess Suppers” said Wendy Dempster the Lamb Van in Armoy, “I thought we would only ever sell our lamb at markets but we now offer experiences, as well as our retail and food service products.”

Chair of Taste Causeway, Geri Martin, shared a number of the network’s successes of 2023 -2024, including how members had been represented at tourism trade events in Canada, the US, Italy, Scotland and London, and the Giant Taste event hosted at the Roe Valley Cultural Centre in March.
She also acknowledged the disappointment felt by members following Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s decision not to fund any future collaborative projects. However representatives of the Taste Causeway Board, all of whom volunteer alongside running their own businesses/working within the local food and drink industry, reassured the gathered members that Taste Causeway would continue to work for the benefit of its members and this destination, without council support.
“We are delighted to be continuing our longstanding partnership with Enterprise Causeway, supporting their exciting new development at the Courthouse in Bushmills, and working with the Donegal Food Coast, as part of the cross border project which commenced this last year,” Geri Martin advised. “We are thrilled so many members will be participating in the demonstrations and tastings at the Salmon and Whiskey Festival in early October.”
“Taste Causeway, through its position on Causeway Chamber, will continue to lobby for the reinstatement of the Growth Deal, and the delivery of the much-needed Innovation Hub at NWRC, a project which recognises the contribution Taste Causeway will make in future,” added the network Chairperson. “A viable and sustainable food network will be key to delivering the growth deal project Food Innovation Hub. With Taste Causeway in place, the hub will be ahead when it comes to fruition, with a network of businesses ready to access its facilities.” Stella Graham of Foodovation at NWRC, in the report the network presented to council.

The key message to the board by members at the AGM was of overwhelming support for the future of Taste Causeway to continue to facilitate collaboration. Richard Connor summarised “There is such a pool of talent in this room, and within Taste Causeway, and our destination is better off for us all working together.”