The high vaulted ceilings and dark basalt columns of the visitor centre added to the ambience of the evening. All pictures: McAuley Multimedia
Bushmills Banquet was an astounding success, with guest's asking for the date of the next one as they waved goodbye from the stunning venue at The Giant's Causeway Visitor centre on Friday 19th November 2021.
The event truly epitomised the meaning behind 'Embrace the giant spirit', which Tourism NI describe as 'that can-do attitude and the spirit of our communities pulling together and supporting each other through challenging times, our desire to share our country, culture and passion for life.'
Gary Stewart from Tartine at The Distillers Arms and Stella Bolton from The French Rooms have pulled off yet another successful collaborative event pulling together 40 plus local businesses in the delivery of this event, featuring 24 Taste Causeway members.
This year's bigger and better Bushmills Banquet was included in the launch of Slow Food Causeway by Taste Causeway, funded by Tourism NI in partnership with CCAG Borough Council.
‘The big heads’ welcoming guests at The Giants Causeway Visitor Centre.
Local business ‘Come wander with me’ and ‘ The Oat box’ transformed the Giants Causeway Visitor centre for the evening.
Organisers delivered on every detail of the event from start to finish with a menu that jammed with producers and mouth watering dishes.
Chef Tanya McVeigh and Stacey Brady from The French Rooms popping Smokehouse salmon pate from North Coast Smokehouse on the platters in advance of the guests arrival.
South African Cabernet sauvignon from Titanic wines who were there on the night to help out with the event.
Jacqui and Jonny Warke from Warke’s deli in Portstewart putting the final touches to their delicious canapes featuring the very best of local produce.
Gary Stewart owner of Tartine at Distillers Arms who has recently launched a range of sauces getting ready to serve his award winning seafood chowder.
Collaborating chefs Trudy and Sean Brolly from Ocho Tapas Bistro with their lemon tart served with the soon to be launches Distillers raspberry and apple sauce & Irish Black butter crème fraiche.
Rob Curley from the Slemish Market Supper Club presenting one of his dishes ‘The Causeway Stack’.
Team French Rooms, Anita, Kenzi & Stacey creating the grazing platter for the banquet tables.
Guests getting stuck into the feast with the stunning backdrop of the venue at The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre.
Taste Causeway was not only represented on the menu but Ambassador Paula McIntyre and Facilitator Sharon Scott attended to lend their support to the Bushmills Banquet team.
Team Old Bushmills explaining all there is to know about their newly launched ‘Causeway Collection’ forged in the footsteps of Giant’s. An elusive new collection of limited edition rare cask-finished Irish single malts from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery.
Gary Stewart, joint organiser of the event addressing the guests before they are seated for the evening.
Competition winner Jill Robinson and her good friend Norma, both ICU nurses attending the banquet as guests of Gary & Stella in appreciation for all they have done during the pandemic. A further donation was made to Bushmills group ‘Seeds of hope’ towards their great work including facilitating a food bank.
Patricia Rainey and Nigel Best arriving at the venue for the night.
Michelle Shirlow MBE and Alex Keightley. Michelle Shirlow MBE, CEO of Food NI attended the evening to lend her support to the Bushmills Banquet and launch of Slow Food Causeway.
Girls night out with Vicky Stevenson, Sara Pinder, Diane Whitehouse & Jane Steen using the Bushmills Banquet as the perfect opportunity to get dressed up & catch up!
The glamourous Hunter sisters with their good friends Darren & Joanne Gamble showcasing the dress code ‘Going out out’ with great aplomb.
Some of the team from Enterprise Causeway with members based at the Designerie Bushmills and project managers for the Bushmills Court House project having a well earned social outing.