The Smokin’ Butcher Darina Allen launch the first National Black Pudding day

On Sunday 3rd November in the historic town of Kells, County Meath The Smokin’ Butcher Hugh Maguire and Irish food legend Darina Allen will officially launch the first National Black Pudding day at the new innovative food and arts festival - Samhain: A Celebration of Irish Food and Culture, a partnership between Boyne Valley Flavours and Hinterland Festival Kells.

This festival shines a light on the huge impact food has had on Irish culture over the past 5,000 years with a heavy weight line up of some of Ireland’s most prominent food advocates including JP McMahon, Brian McDermott, Patrick Ryan, Michael Kelly and of course Darina Allen along with many more. They will join in on a weekend of celebration, performance, debate and discussion all evolving around the theme of Irish Food and Culture, past, present and future.

Black pudding is a huge part of Irish food tradition and as part of Samhain and the launch of National Black Pudding day there is an event in its honour - Forgotten Skills with Darina Allen and The Smokin’ Butcher Hugh Maguire.

Darina will chat with The Smokin’ Butcher, Hugh Maguire, about some of the lost skills in Irish cooking. She will make a fresh black pudding with Hugh and this event will be followed by the Launch of the National Black Pudding Day. The event will celebrate the craft behind this traditional Irish product, which has enjoyed a huge revival in recent years, and will also be an opportunity to share delicious and diverse black pudding recipes.

Darina Allen commented: “I’ve always been a huge supporter of craft butchery and I think that black pudding is one of our most treasured, traditional Irish products. I’m delighted to be joining forces with Hugh to celebrate National Black Pudding Day and am excited to discover lots of new recipes and ways to enjoy black pudding at home.”

Hugh, a leading member of the craft butcher fraternity, has been a key figure in the increased popularity of black pudding, through his innovative and multi-award winning products, which have received the highest accolades within the food industry. His Smoked Black Pudding was crowned Supreme Champion at the Great Taste Awards 2017.

Hugh Maguire commented: “I’m so delighted to see this delicious product enjoying a well–deserved revival in recent years and we’re thrilled to be championing a national day of celebration. I'm particularly proud of our Smoked Black Pudding, which is one of the few black puddings in Ireland that is 100% natural and made using the traditional methods. I’m looking forward to showcasing this traditional skill on 3rd November and sharing delicious recipes with fellow black pudding lovers.”

Olivia Duff of Boyne Valley Flavours commented: Ireland’s food culture is in a wonderful state of revolution, a result of millennia of agriculture, rich fertile landscape and coastline and in more recent times, passionate food producers, collaboration and a belief in food provenance and sustainability, the weekend sets out to celebrate Ireland's food culture, past, present and future. We are thrilled to have teamed up with the Hugh Maguire Smokin’ Butcher, a member of Boyne Valley Flavours to launch this celebration of Irish Black Pudding.”

For further information on Samhain Festival please visit www.hinterland.ie and for further information on National Black Pudding Day visit www.thesmokinbutcher.com

Tickets for Forgotten Skills with Darina Allen and The Smokin’ Butcher Hugh Maguire cost €10pp and are available to purchase here- https://www.hinterland.ie/p-264-forgotten-skills-with-darina-allen-the-smokin-butcher-hugh-maguire.aspx