Foods of the World

Volunteers Poppy Brown and Keeley Walker help out at the Belgian stand at the Foods of the World festival.
Volunteers Poppy Brown and Keeley Walker help out at the Belgian stand at the Foods of the World festival.

Chilly winter weather made the delicious dishes on offer at the aromatic Foods of the World festival in Lisburn very tempting.

Hundreds of visitors eagerly sampled recipes from many different countries at the event, which was organised by the Resurgam Community Development Trust and received £1,600 funding from the Housing Executive.

Volunteers helped to serve out the tasty treats at the Highway Inn Bar and Kitchen at Hillhall Road, a community based social enterprise in Lisburn.

Foods of the World is one of a number of projects that are being held in the city to encourage good relations and helped ethnic minorities integrate with the local community.

A range of nationalities were showcased including Germany, Belgium, Arabia, Poland, India and Fiji.

Denis Paisley, Regeneration Manager, Resurgam Community Development Trust, said: “Foods of the World was a celebration of culture and diversity using the mediums of food, music, arts and crafts.

“Attended by hundreds of people of various religions, cultures and backgrounds, it was an excellent opportunity for our community to welcome new friends, breakdown barriers and sample food from across the globe.”  

He added: “The Highway Inn Bar and Kitchen was delighted to showcase this feast and look forward to hosting similar good relation events in the future. 

“We appreciate the support from the Housing Executive and the Welcome Project, which supports immigrants and secured financial assistance through the Lisburn Castlereagh City Council, Community Festival Fund.” 

Des Marley, the Housing Executive’s Area Manager for Castlereagh and Lisburn, said: “We are very pleased to support this very important event through our Community Cohesion Fund to welcome newcomers into our neighbourhoods.

“Foods of the World is key to accepting difference and celebrating various cultures and traditions.

“It’s a platform to promote equality, diversity, participation, involvement and helps create a sense of belonging by bringing folk from different backgrounds together, celebrating through food.

“Our aim is to improve good relations so that we build stable and safe communities where we live and work in attractive, resilient and people friendly places.”