Top chefs to work their magic with Comber potatoes

Top chefs to work their magic with Comber potatoes

26 June 2013

CELEBRITY chefs will be cooking up a Comber potato storm during this weekend’s festival to celebrate the famous spud.

Culinary talents, including Danny Millar, Niall McKenna, Paula McIntyre, Brian Donaldson, Colin McCreedy and Rozanne Stevens, will be demonstrating how to use the famous Comber Earlies to create dishes from Comber potato salad to Comber potato, asparagus and clam soup.

The one-day festival, organised by Ards Borough Council in partnership with Food NI/Taste of Ulster and Comber Early Growers, takes place in the town’s central square and has been organised to mark the success of the world famous Comber spuds, which achieved EU ‘Protected Geographical Indication’ status in January last year.

The locally grown potatoes are the only variety of potato entitled to the name ‘New

Season Comber Potatoes’ or ‘Comber Earlies’ and Mayor of Ards Councillor Stephen McIlveen, said the importance of the EU designation and of the potato to the local area, were worth celebrating.

“This is a showcase event for a great local product and to have so many top local chefs lined up to cook is a real treat for anyone who enjoys cooking or is looking for new ways to use the distinctive earthy, sweet and nutty flavour of the Comber Earlies,” he said.

Live music also features during the event, with bands such as Wookalily, The Sheugh and the Laureldale Ensemble taking to the stage, while children’s activities will include potato art workshops, a treasure hunt and a special ‘taste adventure’.

Local businesses will also be joining in the celebrations with Comber Early themed shop window displays.