WORLD Book Award winner Emmett McCourt celebrated his international achievement today with local partners and city representatives at a homecoming reception hosted by Guildhall Press & Creggan Enterprises.

McCourt’s publication, Feast or Famine, a Cultural Food Journey of the North West of Ireland (Guildhall Press)achieved Best Culinary Travel Book at the Gourmand World Awards in China.

Garbhan Downey, Guildhall Press, said: ‘This is a highly-significant and much-deserved award. Emmett’s book, and the international recognition it has received, has the potential to open up new tourism markets for the northwest of Ireland. Derry, Tyrone and Donegal have always been immensely proud of their heritage – Emmett’s success has provided us with a new opportunity to celebrate and build on that heritage.

As publishers, Guildhall Press are delighted that this book shows the global reach of our work. We would like to thank all our team for delivering such an excellent product, our funders who make this work possible and, of course, our driver Emmett for his determination to bring his work to the world.’

Colleagues, family and City representatives attended the homecoming reception at Hive Studios, Ráth Mór and joined the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion in congratulating Emmett on his achievement. Speaking at the Hive Studios, Mayor Cllr Elisha McCallion said she was hugely proud:

“This is a real coup for Emmett and for the local food industry. The Feast or Famine publication has done a lot to profile our city and region’s cultural food heritage and we are hugely proud that Emmett’s work has been acknowledged at the Gourmand World Cookbook awards.”

Leo Murphy, North West Regional College Principal and Chief Executive added to the congratulations saying:

“On behalf of the staff and students at North West Regional College, I wish to offer my heartiest congratulations to Emmett and his project team on achieving this prestigious award.

“We have been delighted to partner the Feast or Famine project which has not only developed this region in culinary terms, but has also supported the teaching and learning within our own School of Hospitality and Catering regarding the origins and history of local produce, recipes and ingredients.

“As a Lecturer in our College, we are very proud of Emmett’s achievement”.

The 20^th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards took place in Yantia Wine Region, China with over 205 countries represented.

The awards were established by Mons Edouard Cointreau to acknowledge those who “Cook with Words”, and are the largest and most respected awards in the global food, wine, food TV publishing world.

Northern Ireland had three winners. Emmett McCourt achieved first place for Best Culinary Travel Book, Michelle Shirlow CEO Food NI/Taste of Ulster achieved first place for their Taste of Ulster Guides and Noel McMeel came third for his book “The Irish Pantry”.

Emmett McCourt, Director of the Irish Food Heritage Project thanked everyone who had supported him on his journey to becoming a Gourmand Award winner saying:

“This is an amazing achievement for everyone involved in the concept, development and publication of the book – Feast or famine.  I had an amazing experience in China and I am a committed Cultural Food Ambassador for the city and region. I believe this award will bring significant international attention and value to the city and I am proud to have had this opportunity to showcase the best of what the city and region has to offer”.

The Irish Food Heritage Project and the publication of Feast or Famine, has recovered age-old recipes, revived traditional cooking techniques, and rediscovered long-forgotten Irish food treasures.

Feast or Famine takes you on an historical cultural food tour of Derry and Donegal and explores what makes this region such an abundant source of food and drink.

His publication –Feast or Famine – shares the cultural food story of the North West Region.

The Irish Food Heritage Project and the publication Feast or Famine are supported by Guildhall Press and North West Regional College.

The project receives support from Derry City and Strabane district Council, DARD NI Regional Food Programme, Old Library Trust, Flogas Ireland, Glens of Antrim potatoes and Great Game Fairs of Ireland.

Emmett’s personal cultural journey to China was supported by many local organisers, providers and individuals making it possible for Emmett to travel to China to collect this award.

More details about the Irish Food Heritage Project and the Feast or Famine publication please visitwww.feastorfamine.ie . Feast or Famine publication is available directly from the publishers Guildhall Press atwww.ghpress.com,