Our chef, Bronagh Reid, who heads up the kitchen at The Gatelodge Café has been chosen to represent County Down at the Ulster Chowder Championships for 2016 at a cook off event taking place at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival.

Finalists from all Ulster counties and will compete live on the day at the Sea Front venue. The winning entrant will partake in the World Famous Kinsale Chowder Cook Off 2017 as the Ulster representative.

Bronagh is excited about competing in the event and believes her chowder could represent Ulster. Heading up the busy kitchen at The Gatelodge Café on Church Street, Newtownards, Bronagh will serve up her special chowder for café customers to sample in the run up to the competition.

The Gatelodge Café is a social enterprise operated by Stepping Stones NI. 100% of the profits from the café are reinvested back into supporting adults with a learning disability in Newtownards. The adults with learning disabilities train in hospitality and catering with support from a skilled staff team, all with a view to finding paid employment in their community in the future.

With May being the month for ‘Landscapes & Places’ to celebrate NI’s Year of Food & Drink 2016 you can enjoy this delicious chowder and a range of traditional food in the quaint and historic gatelodge building at the main entrance to Ards Community Hospital.