Ireland's speciality food sector will be showcased at Bord Bia's Second International Speciality Food Symposium in Kinsale from April 18th to 20th.
Over 500 delegates and 200 buyers from the international speciality food and drinks industry will be in the Cork town for seminars, lectures and demonstrations.
Speciality food encompasses rare foods locally produced by small and micro food producers in Ireland. The industry is driven by new product development based on traditional and regional recipes and tastes.
Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, will also present findings of research into the history of food in Ireland to map local traditions and continuity which can be built on by future producers.
The highlight of the event will be a food market for over 100 small Irish food producers where they will display their wares to the buyers and visitors.
Announcing details of the event, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Mr Walsh, said the speciality food sector was making an increasingly valuable contribution to the economy and to the international perception of Ireland as a source of quality food and drink.
He said the speciality food sector in Britain and Ireland was estimated to be worth over €4 billion annually.
Mr Michael Duffy, chief executive of Bord Bia, said the event would reinforce Ireland's position as an emerging leader in the international speciality food arena.
The Kinsale symposium will help the speciality food sector in Ireland to adapt to the future he said.
"Already, worldwide, the consumer's relationship with food is undergoing enormous change. As life places increasing demands on people, food is taking a different position in their hearts, minds and schedules," he said.