The Gourmet Greenway, Mayo’s only food trail, celebrated its first birthday this week with the announcement of six new members – almost doubling its size - and the welcome news that the initiative has contributed over €1million to the local economy.  At a special birthday dinner at Mulranny Park Hotel, attended by Sunday Independent food writer Lucinda O’Sullivan, six new members were announced, bringing the Gourmet Greenway membership to 13 – almost double since its launch.

Expanding or starting a food business in recessionary times is no easy feat but it has been achieved by all three speakers at the upcoming Network Mayo event on Tuesday 15 May in Rua, Castlebar. They are Colleen McMahon (Rua and Cafe Rua, Castlebar), Sean Kelly (Kelly’s Butchers, Newport) and Siobhan Stenson (Cherry Blossom Bakery, Ballyvary). The theme for the evening is “Hungry for Opportunity”.

Do you find it busy to get time to cook? Could your food choices be a little healthier? Should you be eating more fruit and veg? If your answer is yes to any of these questions then the local Heart and Stroke Charity, Croí and Mayo PCCC, HSE West are inviting you to a healthy eating cookery demonstration in association with Bord Bia during May as part of the ‘Mayo Healthy Living Month’.

The next Network Mayo event is entitled “Hungry for Opportunity” and focuses on entrepreneurs within the food business. It takes place on Tuesday, 15th May, at 7.30pm, in Rua on Spencer Street, Castlebar. Please note that places are strictly limited for this event and advance booking is essential.Network Mayo is for women in business, the professions, and the arts A small cover charge will apply.

Journalists from Britain enjoyed a gastronomy-themed visit to Co Mayo, as guests of Tourism Ireland. Representing various online, regional and national publications with a combined circulation of almost three million, the journalists were here to experience at first hand our world-famous Irish hospitality and the high standard of gastronomy on offer in Mayo restaurants, for feature stories they are writing about short breaks and holidays in Mayo and Ireland.

The Ice House in Ballina received a unique badge on honour on their Trip Advisor Page and in addition placed in the top 15 in the ‘Trendiest’ selection on the world famous website. Ice House General Manager, Dara Cruise commented: “This award will take pride of place amongst our expanding ‘wall of fame’ and we need to keep some space for the ‘Exclusive Venue of The Year Award’ that we won a few weeks ago."  

Here’s some really good news to brighten your day – the much loved Quay Cottage restaurant reopened this week. Better still, it’s under the guidance of the original proprietor, Kirstin McDonagh. Just the way it should be. “I’m absolutely delighted to be announcing that the Quay Cottage has re-opened”, Kirstin McDonagh said, “We have a fantastic team in place and it’s going to be just like the old days – except for the phone number which is now 098 50692”.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD has opened a new bakery in Castlebar that will create 15 jobs. The award-winning Cherry Blossom Bakery, which started just two short years ago in Ballyvary, has opened a state-of-the art premises on the Breaffy Industrial Park in Castlebar.

XL Killala, at Killala Motors on Georges Street, has taken the award for Best Chilled Foods at the XL Store of the Year Awards 2011, held at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath. Run by the McDonnell family, this award-winning store upgraded their XL image as part of their 10 year anniversary back in August 2011.

Ballina is the Salmon Capital of Ireland and yet you will not find wild salmon on the menu of any of the town's award-winning restaurants, Ballina Town Council, heard at its budget meeting Wednesday night. Fine Gael councillor, Barry McLoughlin, said it was ironic that visitors coming to Ballina were unable to order a fresh Moy salmon dish in a local restaurant despite the fact they were visiting the town with the official title of Ireland's Salmon Capital.