Princesshay hosts bug eating challenge

Princesshay, in conjunction with conservation charity Paignton Zoo, is hosting a bug eating challenge from 11am-3pm on Friday 4 July to launch the start of its Summerdine restaurant promotion.

Visitors to Princesshay Square will be tempted to try mealworms, locusts, crickets and weaver ants with stickers and certificates awarded to the brave. There will also be giant summer games including jenga and connect 4 and free face painting for families to enjoy throughout the day.

Princesshay is offering a free day out for a family of four to Paignton Zoo and a range of other UK leisure attractions, when diners spend £45 three times at any of its al fresco and family friendly restaurants between 7th July and 21st August.

Paignton Zoo’s Hayley Gibson says, “This challenge comes with a serious message. The global population could reach 8 billion by 2025 - current food production techniques are simply not sufficient. We need to feed the world without destroying the environment, habitats and species.

“Around two billion people - 80% of the world’s population - regularly eat insects. They are good for you and more efficient to farm than cattle. In fact we already eat many invertebrates - squid, prawns and mussels. We want to help people overcome their squeamish attitude towards eating terrestrial invertebrates – because this is the future of food!”

All nine of the Princesshay restaurants are participating in the Summerdine promotion, providing delicious summer menus and seasonal flavours including pan Asian tastes from wagamama and Japanese delights from Yo! Sushi; modern European dishes from Strada, Café Rouge and Carluccio’s; relaxed dining in Coal Grill & Bar, Giraffe and Nandos and proper hamburgers from Princesshay newcomer, Bryon.

Wayne Pearce, Princesshay Centre Director, explains: “Paignton Zoo is just one of the fantastic locations for a family day out up for grabs through the Summerdine promotion at Princesshay restaurants. While I don’t expect any of our restaurants to be offering locusts on their menus any time soon, we hope visitors will give the bug eating challenge a try and perhaps even get a taste for the food stuff of the future.”

National attractions include Legoland, Thorpe Park, Flamingo Land, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sea Life, Drayton Manor, Chessington World of Adventures, Oakwood Home Park and Harry Potter. Local days out feature Woodland Leisure Park, Exmoor Zoo, Watermouth Castle, Paignton Zoo, Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park, Plymouth Aquarium and Coombe Martin Wildlife Dinosaur Park.

For more information about Summerdine and to register for vouchers for more summer offers from Princesshay restaurants and stores visit www.princesshay.com/dine