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From 6^th to 9^th August 2009, a number of Northern Irelands elite chefs will welcome these Chicago Ambassador Chefs for a cultural exchange creating the largest al fresco restaurant in town!

Visitors can look forward to a boulevard of restaurants where they can indulge in world-class culinary delights as well as celebrating great local food. Diversity is the key to the delicious menus on offer as these local and Chicago ambassador chefs together showcase their own specialities and create wonderful dishes from Chicago as well as local delicacies and dishes. All dishes will be created using the best of Northern Irelands local produce.

In addition to the fantastic food visitors can also experience superb culinary and cocktail demonstrations from well-known chefs including Noel McMeel of Lough Erne Golf Resort and the lovely little American sisters made famous from Spatulatta – Cooking for Kids Online will also be making their UK and Ireland debut at the event. A great line up of staged live entertainment will also including Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Classic Clapton, Flash Harry and Peter Corry to name a few as well as the Strictly Come Dancing band and dancers Camilla Dallerup and Ian Waite.

Over 35,000 people are expected to attend this unique international culinary partnership, which is organised by Connie Cunningham, a native Chicagoan herself. Inspired by the concept of the famous ‘Taste of Chicago', the world's largest food festival, Connie previously organised the Belfast Taste Fest, which took place in the nineties. This year she has revolutionised this event to bring a special added touch of ‘Taste and Imagination', creating an event like no other which brings together the best of Northern Ireland and Chicago's culinary expertise.

As the first of its kind in Ireland, Connie believes that this event is sure to stimulate tourism and put this great city firmly on the map. “It is wonderful to be working with some of the best chefs that Northern Ireland has to offer. I am also delighted to be bringing leading ambassador chefs from my hometown to Belfast – my home away from home. Together these culinary wizards will create delicious cuisine for the publicto enjoy, while showcasing the finest Northern Ireland food products.”

Participating local chefs include Bob McDonald, Deli on the Green Moygashel, who is also NI Chef Mentor for the event, Paul Catterson, Mango, Trevor Cunningham, Restaurant 23, Simon Dougan, Yellow Door, Alan Higginson, No. 27 Talbot Street, Dean Coppard, Uluru, Noel McMeel, Lough Erne Golf Resort and Tony O'Neill, The Merchant Hotel.

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