Peter Hannan, the managing director of multi-award winning Hannan Meats in Northern Ireland, has been awarded an MBE by the Queen for his outstanding contribution to Economic Development.

Mr Hannan, commenting on the prestigious award, said: “It is a tremendous honour for me to announce that I have been awarded an MBE from the Queen for my contribution to Economic Development in Northern Ireland.

“Whilst this is a humbling personal recognition of my role in Hannan Meats and contributions to the wider food industry, I see it as a recognition of the very many people who have supported and encouraged me over the years.

“In addition to my family, I have received incredible support from very many people including the management and staff at Hannan Meats, our customers in both retail and foodservice throughout the UK and Ireland, industry bodies here and other local food companies.

“It really has been a team effort. Surround yourself with good people, and they’ll make you look great.

“Thank you sincerely to those who endure and surround me.

“I look forward to continuing to build on these friendships in the years ahead and playing a part in the continuing success of our wonderful and highly innovative food and drink industry.

“It’s an industry that’s well positioned in terms of enterprising and innovative people with superb products,” adds Mr Hannan.

Hannan Meats Ltd was founded in Moira, Co Armagh in 1989 by Mr Hannan on the back of a successful career in managing meats processing plants in the UK, Ireland and US.  It started as a catering butchery business for hotels and restaurants here.

Hannan Meats, which employs around 30 people, has since become a major supplier of premium quality beef, pork and lamb to restaurants and hotels throughout the UK and Ireland and further afield.

The company pioneered the use of Himalayan salt-aging meat to enhance flavours and textures.

It currently operates the world’s biggest Himalayan salt chambers and has won a series of international awards for the quality and taste of its beef, bacon and lamb.

In addition, the company pioneered the development of a novel sugar-pit process for enhancing the flavour of pork, ham and bacon.

This pioneering work has led to unrivalled success in the UK Great Taste Awards organised by the influential Guild of Fine Food.

Hannan Meats has won the Supreme Championship twice and more Great Taste Awards than any other producer in the UK. The progressive company works closely with local farms especially Glenarm in Co. Antrim on the development of the shorthorn herd.

Hannan Meats also operates the hugely successful Meat Merchant wholesale outlet in Moira Co. Armagh, which opened to shoppers in 2011.

In addition, the company through subsidiaries En Place Foods in Cookstown and Craic Foods in Craigavon has developed a range of sauces, relishes and vinegars to accompany its meats.

Hannan Meats, En Place and Craic Foods also work with other smaller food companies on the development of innovative products.

The Horticulture Forum and the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) have recently launched the Healthy Horticulture section as part of the 2021 Show.

This popular display highlights the importance of horticulture in Northern Ireland and showcases the range of benefits that it brings, from improving both your physical and mental health and welling as well as highlighting the importance of protecting our planet and the environment around us.

This year, Healthy Horticulture are delighted to welcome Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Rural Support-Social Farming to join them at the Show.

Exciting developments this year include the launch of Parful Produce promoting the best of local produce in NI as well as the creation of a new centre piece exhibit that is set to engage, inspire and educate visitors to the Show. 

As always there is something for everyone in the popular Horticulture marquee. Attractions returning this year include the competitive Fill Your Boots competition, the fun filled Kids Knowledge Trail as well as the Popular Mighty Spud. Furthermore, NI’s top horticulture producers and trade association’s representatives will be on hand to promote the benefits of horticulture from the green fingered hobby grower to the large scale producers.

Denise Kelso, Chair of the Horticulture Committee commented, “This year’s Show will run from Wednesday 22^nd September to Saturday 25^th September, that’s four action packed days of family fun.  Come along and visit us this year, whether you’re from the city or countryside, a first time visitor or repeat show-goer, we hope to see you there.  Tickets are now available to purchase online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk. Please note this year tickets are day specific only and must be purchased prior to the Show. Conditions of entry can be found online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk.”

The beautiful harbour village of Portavogie will host a celebration of delicious local produce as well as the Borough’s finest food and drink on Saturday 11 September (12pm-5pm) with the Tide and Turf themed seafood festival!

Running as part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s ‘Taste Ards and North Down Autumn Food Festival’, your foodie dreams will come true as you savour the seasonal tide and turf produce, with a chance to pick up delicious treats and meet great chefs.

There will be live cookery demonstrations in the Tide and Turf kitchens from our local Great British Menu competitors and South Eastern Regional College chefs. They will compete to win the coveted ‘Great Peninsula Menu’ title, and will demonstrate the best way to combine seasonal ingredients with fresh local produce to make some mouth-watering dishes that you can recreate at home.

Judging the chefs’ delicious dishes will be Great British Menu judge, Oliver Peyton, as well as chef Alex Greene, who scored a double win on the show in 2020. It will be a hotly contested affair!

If you fancy joining in with a foodie-based competition, why not sign-up on the day for the oyster eating competition? Just you, the clock, and six oysters – will you be able to set the fastest time?

There will also be an artisan food market and fantastic entertainment with music and lots of fun kids activities, including vintage funfair rides and Punch and Judy shows.

A free bus service will run from both Bangor and Newtownards to Portavogie during the afternoon. So take the stress out of travel, catch the bus and enjoy a food-filled day out for all the family!

Autumn Food Festival

Tide and Turf forms part of the wider Taste Ards and North Down Autumn Food Festival that includes weekly markets and delicious foodie experiences. The Festival runs from 4 September to 21 October, with Tide and Turf taking place on Saturday 11 September.

For more information, including a bus timetable, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com.

Northern Ireland’s only locally produced yoghurt, is in line for a major Great British Food Award.

The small company, a major supplier of yoghurt to retailers including major supermarkets and delis in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been shortlisted in the Dairy category of the awards which will be judged by Tom Rhodes, Masterchef champion in 2021.

The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 to celebrate the country’s finest artisanal produce, as well as the hard-working people behind the scenes. This year, the awards are bigger and better than ever, with lots of new categories and amazing celebrity judges. 

From dairy to cheese, artisan drinks to savoury preserves, The Great British Food Awards has a category for every company.

Every year, fresh new faces are added to the judging panel, each wielding a hefty influence in the realm of British food and drink. The Great British Food Awards provide companies with the opportunity to have your food and drink tasted by some of the UK’s most acclaimed chefs, critics and influencers.  

Based near Bangor in county Down, Clandeboye sources milk for its award-winning yoghurts from the estate’s own herd of grass-fed pedigree dairy cattle.

The company, which has won a host of UK Great Taste Awards, recently announced an £2 million investment to expand its yoghurt business and create 13 jobs. 

It is currently building a factory on the grounds of Clandeboye Estate, which will help it to increase the production of its yoghurt and grow sales in international markets.