The greatest problem was in the Food Hall, sponsored by The Impartial Reporter where a number of food manufacturers displaying chocolate-based confectionery found it was beginning to melt in the heat inside the specially constructed marquee. One of them had to relocate to another part of the showgrounds although Tomas Poil of Man of Aran fudge was limiting the number of bars of his exotic sweets on display to avoid them twisting in the intense heat.

    The Food Hall however was a wonderful example of local entrepreneurs creating foods for niche markets.

    At the official opening of the Food Hall on Tuesday evening, Mrs. Joanna McVey, managing director of The Impartial Reporter complimented Fermanagh Farming Society for bringing so many food companies together. As Chairman of the Rural Development Council, she had seen many new innovative companies emerge as part of the diversification programme on farms and she was delighted to see one of them at the County Show, Erinvale Skin Care which produces healthy cosmetic products from goats milk.

    Mrs. McVey encouraged the public to support the many small businesses based on farms or in rural areas.

    The judging of the food displays was undertaken by Bernice McMullen, economist with the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland. Using criteria of taste and presentation, she gave the first prize to Erin Grove Preserves, a company begun by Jayne Paget of Garvary under the Women in Agriculture programme less than two years ago. With the assistance of her husband, Mark, they produce jams and marmalades in 11 varieties and up to six chutneys as well as special Christmas products. Her produce is marketed through monthly country markets in Enniskillen and Dungannon as well as local shops.

    The runner-up prize went to Cherry Tree Bakery, Lisnaskea, now operated by Ashley and Glen Charles. It has been in production since 1970 started by their parents, Mr.and Mrs. Norman Charles. They used the County Show to launch several new products, a new lemon cake and a new strawberry cake. The prizes were sponsored by the Killyhevlin Hotel.