From left to right, Derek Patterson, wife Pamela Patterson, Craig Doyle, Councillor Margaret Tollerton, Veronica Kearney from Lisburn Tourist Information Centre and Alderman Jim Dillon. Lisburn Tourist Information Centre was a shortlisted nominee for Tourist Information Centre of the Year.

A HILLSBOROUGH chef who cooked up one of the most unlikely tourism success recipes of the last two decades has been honoured at the Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards.

Derek Patterson of the renowned Plough Bar took away an award for the best event/marketing initiative. Sixteen years ago he came up with the idea that an international oyster festival was just what the Georgian village of Hillsborough needed to underline its potential as a local tourist destination.

However, he was one of the few who thought the village could be identified with an oyster festival -not surprisingly as it's at least 20 miles from the nearest oyster beds at Dundrum Bay and Strangford Lough.

But that didn't stop the inventive and enthusiastic chef who rounded up local traders, hostelry owners and townspeople to launch an event which has mushroomed into one of the most successful tourism events in the Province.

Derek, who with brother Richard runs the Plough Bar and its offshoot Barretro, is still heavily involved in the Festival and Chairman of the Organising Committee. He was rewarded for his foresight and hard work when he collected the award for the Best Northern Ireland Event/Marketing Initiative for his efforts in not only helping launch the Festival but being at the helm through 16 successful years.

Now the Hillsborough Oyster Festival is not only the venue for the world oyster eating championships, it attracts international participants and spectators, lures thousands of visitors annually and has raised thousands upon thousands of pounds for charity.

Local businesses also get the spinoff from an event which has now made the name of Hillsborough synonymous with oyster-eating.

jenny.monroe@jpress.co.uk

Ulster Star
24/10/2008