Dining in the Dark is a gastronomical experience that invites you to explore the full potential of your taste buds in a uniquely entertaining atmosphere. While blindfolded, you’ll enjoy delectable surprise dishes while feasting on a three-course meal without using your sight, thereby enhancing your other senses. Challenge these senses to try and work out what you are eating, there will be rewards for those who can identify the produce!  Former Michelin star chef Barry Smyth, aka Flavoursmyth, has carefully curated this mystery menu to excite the taste buds. Barry Smyth is no stranger to the quality food scene in Ireland. A leading light in the local hospitality industry for over 30 years Barry has worked with some of the best and has achieved many accolades along the way including a coveted Michelin Star for his restaurant Oriel. After training a new generation of chefs as a Culinary Arts Lecturer, Barry has recently been involved with projects that include Head Chef at the luxurious Castle Leslie Estate in Glaslough, Co Monaghan, Partner and Operations Manager at Yellow Door Hillsborough Castle LTD and Culinary Partner in the hugely popular Rovin' Stove Street Food Business.

Your host for this special evening is Joris Minne, food critic with the Belfast Telegraph. Joris has worked in the media since training as a journalist with National Geographic Society in Washington DC in the mid-80s. He started writing an occasional column on Irish restaurants in the Guardian G2 pages in 1996 for Matthew Fort, his food and drink editor. In 2008 while holding down his day job as a PR consultant, he began writing the Belfast Telegraph’s weekly restaurant column, a job he continues to fulfil. He hasn’t missed a week since then.

He has also written for Business Post, Food & Wine Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and other titles. His broadcast work includes BBC’s Farm to Feast: Best Menu Wins with Danni Barry and Eamon Holmes and commentary on the food industry for radio.

Despite endless attempts to improve his culinary skills, he remains a below average cook which is why he loves and admires producers, chefs and restaurateurs.

He is a founding member of the Irish Curry Awards and sits on the Food & Wine Magazine Ireland Awards judging panel. 

The ticket price of £55 includes a glass of bubbly at the drinks reception plus a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic option per course.

TICKETS CANNOT BE EXCHANGED OR REFUNDED Once purchased, your ticket is your property and its value cannot be refunded to you, nor exchanged for any other ticket under any circumstances. Where an event goes ahead we accept no responsibility for tickets that are unable to be used due to circumstances outside of our control, for example bad weather and transport difficulties.

Should you have any queries, please email lisa.finnegan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk