Blackrock couple bite the bullet

Dublin People 06 Nov 2015
Ruth and Stephen Deasy from The Bear Market, who will participate in the first annual Bite Food Festival in Dublin’s RDS from November 19-22.

A BLACKROCK couple who literally had to wake up and smell the coffee to avoid emigration will be showcased at the first annual Bite Food Festival which takes place in the RDS between November 19 and 22.

Newly-qualified architects Ruth and Stephen Deasy decided to give the recession a bear hug and embrace the biggest career change they ever imagined – sowing the seeds for the hugely popular Bear Market coffee shop. Ruth and Stephen Deasy will relay their story of success at the major new food festival, which is expected to attract over 20,000 people to view the best of Ireland’s food and drink producers. Bite 2015 will feature top chefs and food experts as well as a huge range of producers, who are there to sell, sample and educate people about their unique products.

A must for all food lovers, Bite 2015 will also feature tastings and demonstrations from chefs such as Donal Skehan and Domini Kemp as well as free cooking classes led by Lynda Booth of the Dublin Cookery School for adults and children alike. The newly-married couple have built-up a hugely-popular artisan coffee shop out of necessity, which is aimed at giving customers a uniquely different high-end experience on the Main Street.

Now in its second year, they are searching for another premises in Dublin to expand the Bear Market enterprise.

“When we graduated in 2009, there was no work here and we didn’t want to emigrate because of our close family ties,” said Ruth.

“We named it the Bear Market as a slap in the face to the recession. Our family and friends were initially worried for us but it has worked.

“We now offer a huge range of worldwide coffees in addition to an array of milk types and tea experiences, all of which can be washed down with my mam Mary Hussey’s gluten-free pastries and cakes.”

Presented by the organisers of the National Crafts and Design Fair, in association with Spar and Eurospar, the Festival promises to be Ireland’s first and foremost interactive food expo, with attractions for all the family.

“Bite 2015 is aimed at promoting Ireland’s vastly expanding artisan food and craft drinks sector, letting people with an interest in food experience just how much quality that we have in the field to the plate industry,” said festival organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.

“We will have Ireland’s tallest chocolate sculpture, the country’s smallest distillery, traditional foods with a contemporary twist, rare breed meats, organic products and much more.”

Bite 2015 takes place at the RDS Main Hall from November 19-22. Full details and booking can be found at www.bitefoodfestival.ie

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