A Taste of Celtic Tradition: Exploring the Australian Celtic Festival Food Trail
Picture this: the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Glen Innes, strolling through the town's streets, their stomachs rumbling in anticipation of what lies ahead. But this isn't just any ordinary day out—it's the Australian Celtic Festival Food Trail, a chance to dive headfirst into a world of flavour, culture, and community.
In anticipation of the upcoming Australian Celtic Festival , GIBC President Cass Hill along with Mayor Rob Banham and Deputy Mayor Troy Arandale set off on a culinary adventure like no other. Their mission? To sample some of the Celtic Food Trail goodness that Glen Innes has to offer, one mouth-watering bite at a time.
From soul-warming soups and tasty pies to fragrant mulled wine, there was something for every palate along the food trail. Succulent Irish sausages and tender lamb shanks that practically melt in your mouth and of course, no feast would be complete without something sweet - think Guinness Cupcakes with an Irish Cream Fudge!
While we tried to get to as many participating businesses as possible, our stomachs were too full to try them all! But here are a list of all the businesses and some of their Celtic inspired menu items:
2 Wild Souls - Sparkling Meade
Bruce Family Butchers - Irish Sausages
Cocoaberry & Co - Fifteens
Deepwater Brewery - Chocolate Stout
Deepwater Hotel - Irish Angus Beef Bolognaise
Glen Gowrie Distillery - Celtic Cream Liquor and Highlands Gin + More
Glen Pie Shop - Cornish Pastie
Land of the Beardies History House & Research Centre - Potato and Leek Soup + a mix of Celtic Sweets
Peppermints Café - Salmon & Potato Frittata
Rhubarb & Rosie - Guinness Cup Cakes
Smeatons Bakery - Isle of Man Seafood Pie + More
Sweetie Pies - Guinness, beef & mushroom pie + more
The Coffee Incident - Beef & Guinness Irish Stew
The Croft Celtic Cultural Centre & Café - Full Irish Breakfast + More
The Furry Cow - Baileys Gelato and Irish Crème Fudge
The Great Central hotel - Beef Short Rib, Creamy Mash and Baby Peas + more
The Highlands Restaurant - Smoked herring and Potato pie with onion gravy and buttered kale + more
The Imperial Hotel - Guinness
The Local Café & Bar - Ploughmans Breakfast + More
The Railway Tavern - Slow Braised Lamb Shanks with Colcannon Mash + More
The Red Lion - Full Menu including Irish Gin & Tomato Soup
The Stones Restaurant - Scottish Stew with Crispy Potatoes & Sour Dough
Town Hall Coffee Shop - Potato, Leek and Bacon Soup + Sweets
And it wasn't just about the food—it was about our local business community getting involved, celebrating Celtic traditions, and delivering an unforgettable experience for our festival guests. Thank you to all the business owners and organising committee who went above and beyond, to create such a successful Celtic Food Trail - we know it will be bigger and better next year!
Cass Hill - GIBC President
