Bushmills Festival Food and Fun: How Tartine Captivated the Crowds!

The Bushmills Whiskey and Salmon Festival drew a remarkable crowd over the weekend, with visitors flocking to experience the rich culinary offerings and vibrant activities that transformed the town.

At the heart of the festivities was Tartine, led by chef and patron Gary Stewart, whose team curated a diverse range of events and tastings that delighted festival-goers.

Tartine's contributions to the festival were nothing short of impressive. Food lovers joined an immersive tour led by Wendy Gallagher of Causeway Coast and Glens Foodie Tours, which stopped off at Tartine at lunchtime on Friday.

Lucky ticket holders sampled the exclusive Gourmet Supper Club, a collaborative dining experience with the Slemish Market Supper Club and Tartine on Friday night. Gary launched the Pop-Up Salmon Shack on Saturday, which was incredibly popular and a much-needed addition to the programme. The NNCG Market Market was a bustling attraction where Tartine's signature seafood chowder was served in a dedicated pop-up, drawing in enthusiastic crowds. Tartine also took part in the 'Meet the Maker' event at the Visitor Information Centre, giving attendees a chance to learn about and taste Gary's impressive range of award-winning sauces and preserves. Tartine at Distillers Arms also played a crucial role in the success of the Bushmills Taste Trail, serving up a range of festival-themed specials.

Chef Gary also presented a live cookery demonstration of their Festival Salmon Platter at the historic Sharvagh House. And if all of that wasn't impressive enough, he managed to join Nicola Wier on BBC Radio Ulster's Countryside show to cook a delicious festival-themed dish and chat about the popular annual foodie festival.

The festival's culinary highlights didn't end there. Tartine's continued to operate all weekend, offering a selection of lunch and dinner specials presented with flair, capturing the festive spirit of Bushmills. Visitors savoured the expertly crafted meals while soaking in the lively atmosphere that made the weekend unforgettable.

Gary Stewart expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the many guests who supported the event, acknowledging the sense of community that made the festival a resounding success. He also thanked Tartine's dedicated team, whose hard work and passion ensured everything ran smoothly. With the weekend's success still fresh, the Tartine team is already gearing up for the next big celebration—Christmas. Excitement is in the air as they begin preparations for what promises to be a festive season to remember.