Three Food NI members have been awarded all of the Speciality Food Magazine
Regional Stars prizes for Northern Ireland. They are Alana McKeever from Long
Meadow Cider, Patrick Black from Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt and Michelle Wilson
from Crawford’s Rock Seaweed.
The project is designed to uncover the businesses most passionate about sharing an
authentic taste of their region with food lovers far and wide. 25 were chosen across
Britain.
Alana McKeever from Long Meadow was singled out for the tree to bottle philosophy
of her family’s apple juice and cider business. Their food tourism experience was
also praised.
Patrick Black from Clandeboye Yoghurt was recognized for the company’s
commitment to sustainable farming and production models and an “honest taste of
County Down”. The brand was founded by Lady Dufferin in 2008 using milk from the
estate’s pedigree herd.
Michelle Wilson’s family have harvested seaweed from the same bay in the Mournes
for more than 300 years. They resolutely stick to wild seaweed, never cultivated, to
retain the quality of their range and the health of the region’s ecology. Visitors can
bathe in the waters and cook and eat the seaweed and local catch.
Well done to all!

Northern Irish independent alcohol brand, Wavey Ice, has announced a new partnership with local distributor, Anzac Drinks, enabling a wider reach across the island of Ireland.

Until now, Wavey Ice has primarily led with an e-commerce approach via their online store, shipping to homes across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Due to phenomenal growth in the past year, the company has decided to embark on its first official route to retail
distribution at scale with this new deal.

Based in Ballycastle, Anzac Drinks is a family-owned business which has been supplying trade across NI for over 30 years.

Laura Davis, CEO of Wavey Ice commented, “With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and local production, we’re committed to growing the brand from our base in NI and bringing Wavey Ice to more retailers, bars, and fridges across the island of Ireland and
beyond. Anzac Drinks’ strong track record, retailer relationships, and market knowledge made them the ideal partner for our next phase of growth, and we’re excited to see Wavey Ice in more locations across the country, bringing a fresh twist to the drinks
industry on the island.”

Built by a passionate, local team and developed in Hillsborough, County Down, Wavey Ice has quickly grown into one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting independent alcohol brands. As a bold and fresh product range, which continues to expand, the range includes
nostalgic alcoholic ice pops, ready-to-drink cocktails with sought-after flavours, and two non-alcoholic premium options.

The brand also offers a range of ‘Melted?’ vegan gummies, packed with vitamins and antioxidants designed to clear brain fog and boost recovery.

In March this year, Wavey Ice also launched their new tropical and vibrant Pineapple Vodka, made with premium Irish vodka.

Wavey Ice’s core, flavour-packed alcoholic ‘Sips’ range will now be more widely available, with Anzac Drinks initially stocking their most popular flavours; Pornstar Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri, Tropical Rum Punch, Espresso Martini and Orange & Vodka, available
for both on and off-trade outlets.

As well as bold and playful products, the brand does not cut any corners on quality. From their HQ and production facility in Hillsborough, the team has developed two award-winning Sips since launching in 2022.

In 2023, the non-alcoholic Mango & Pineapple Mojito was awarded Silver at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. Whilst, just last month, the Pornstar Martini Sip was awarded Bronze at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in the RTD & Pre-Mixed Cocktail
category, being the only RTD or mixed spirit drink from the island of Ireland to be awarded this year.

Karen O’Neill from Anzac Drinks added, “It’s fantastic to be the new distributor of Wavey Ice, such a fun and innovative brand with premium products, who are also passionate about being locally run. We look forward to distributing their products to many locations
across NI thanks to the new partnership.”

Food NI member RL Produce Limited, one of Northern Ireland’s leading fresh
produce growers, is delighted to announce the launch of its new baby leaf
brand, Lyttle Leaves, now available across Northern Ireland in selected Tesco and
Spar stores. This exciting new brand represents a bold new step for the Lyttle family

Rooted in decades of farming expertise and inspired by changing consumer food
habits and the demand for fresher, more sustainable produce.
The concept for Lyttle Leaves was developed by Alexander Lyttle, son of Roy and
Sheila Lyttle, founders of RL Produce Limited. Alexander’s vision was supported by
his sister, Lindsay Curran, who brings more than 15 years of experience as an
Industry Manager for Food NI, promoting and supporting Northern Ireland’s vibrant
food industry.
Grown on the fertile soil on the shores of Strangford Lough, just two miles from
Tesco Extra in Newtownards, Lyttle Leaves offers a range of premium baby leaf
salads – Spinach, Rocket, and Baby Leaf Mix. The leaves are gently harvested daily
during peak season and packed unwashed, preserving their natural crispness,
flavour, and ensuring they last much longer than washed leaves in the customers
fridge.
Unwashed leaves not only help extend shelf life, keeping salads fresher for longer,
but also have significant environmental benefits – reducing water usage and cutting
down on food waste both during production and in consumers’ homes.
“Today’s shoppers want more than just fresh produce – they want produce that’s
grown responsibly, tastes great, and supports a healthier planet,” said Alexander
Lyttle. “With Lyttle Leaves, we’re proud to offer a product that delivers all of that while
staying true to the values our family farm was built on.”
RL Produce Limited has been a trusted supplier to retail and food service in NI for
almost 30 years, providing fresh leeks and scallions to customers across the region.
Over the decades, the business has grown steadily, earning a reputation for quality
and reliability. RL Produce holds all the relevant industry accreditations to the highest
standards, ensuring that every product meets stringent requirements for food safety,
sustainability, and ethical farming practices.
Lyttle Leaves builds on the strong foundation laid by RL Produce Limited, which has
experienced continued growth and investment in the Northern Ireland agri-food
sector. The launch of Lyttle Leaves marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter
for the family business, blending tradition with innovation to meet the needs of
today’s consumers.

Lyttle Leaves products are now listed with North Down Group for food service
customers.
For more information about the range, the farm, recipes, and their commitment to
sustainability, visit www.lyttleleaves.com

The Wild & Fired Cookery School, located in Derry~Londonderry, N.Ireland, has been awarded a prestigious accreditation for their exceptional teaching standards and facilities, from leading regulatory body, the Independent Cookery Schools Association (ICSA). This is a first for the industry as it also recognises their sustainability credentials and exceptional outdoor cookery experiences.
The Wild & Fired BBQ Cookery School, is based in the stunning surroundings of the Historic walled gardens of the ‘carbon positive’ Brook Hall Estate in County Derry. Offering a unique and immersive outdoor cooking experience that celebrates the art of barbecuing with a wild twist. Founded on the principles of sustainability, creativity, and connection to nature, the school specialises in teaching techniques that harness the raw power of open flame and smoke to produce mouthwatering dishes.
The BBQ School caters to all levels, from beginners eager to learn the basics of grilling to seasoned enthusiasts looking to refine their skills. Participants have the chance to master the art of cooking over various types of sustainable woods and charcoals, gaining insights into different smoking methods that imbue food with rich, complex flavours. The courses cover a wide range of cuisines, including prime cuts of meat, seafood, vegetables, and even wild game—showcasing the school’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and often featuring ingredients foraged from the surrounding estate.
The outdoor setting creates a relaxed atmosphere, encouraging attendees to connect with nature while learning essential skills. Under the guidance of owners Emily and Norman McCorkell and expert chefs and local foraging specialists, guests discover how to create impressive dishes, from perfectly grilled steaks to smoky seasonal vegetables. The school also emphasises environmentally friendly practices, including waste reduction and eco-conscious sourcing.
ICSA accredited cookery schools undergo rigorous assessments to ensure consistent delivery of excellence in cookery skills and training alongside equipment levels and facilities, as well as other criteria such as adhering to strict standards of environmental sustainability and continued support for local farmers, suppliers and seasonal produce.
Accreditation from a recognised industry body such as ICSA is also vital for aspiring chefs to be able to choose their cookery school to further their professional careers within the hospitality industry and other related culinary professions. Aspiring domestic chefs can also gain new transferrable skills to improve their culinary knowledge and applications in their home kitchens including knife skills, world food courses and nutritional understandings for both young and old.
James Day, Director of Operations at not-for-profit ICSA, said: “The quality of cookery classes at Wild and Fired BBQ Cookery School are second-to-none. The rural setting, natural surroundings on the banks of the estuary and the clear dedication and raw passion of both Emily and Norman are exceptional. The in-depth knowledge of the team, matched by the pureness and quality of ingredients and facilities are a breath of fresh air in themselves.
“During their rigorous 6-hour assessment, I was personally impressed by Norman’s knowledge of fire cooking, applying the principles of heat and smoke, underpinned by the utilisation of sustainable fuels, which was complimented by Emily’s cookery skills and enthusiasm for bringing out the best in quality, local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Including cooking mussels from the estuary and meats from within the Brook Hall Estate from 30 miles away from Brook Hall Estate. The lucky student guests received unrivalled hospitality, tuition, attention to details and an amazing BBQ banquet afterwards under their all-seasonal canopy.
NEW Green Award. Wild and Fired BBQ School is the first recipient of the new ‘Green Outdoor Experience Accreditation’ award created by ICSA to showcase the growing number of dedicated, inspirational and unique outdoor experience providers, which focus on delivering and teaching sustainability, seasonality and sourcing locally.
“Teaching standards are key to an ICSA-accredited cookery school. High levels of teaching provided by the Chef Tutors and their team are essential. As an organisation ICSA recognises sustainability across all our member schools. This new award champions those who go the extra mile in delivering the best of the outdoors, in an outdoor environment. There is no school more worthy of this award than Wild and Fired BBQ School. We are delighted to award the team our coveted ‘ICSA Green Outdoor Experience Accreditation Award’.
Emily McCorkell, joint creator and owner of Wild and Fired BBQ Cookery School, alongside her partner Norman commented, “Joining the ICSA is a natural extension of who we are and what we stand for. Our life experiences have shaped a way of living that celebrates quality, community, and good food — values we’re proud to share and uphold. We’re honoured to be recognised alongside such an inspiring network of talent and passion, and we look forward to building meaningful relationships grounded in the shared values and high standards of the ICSA.”

The flourishing local craft beer and whiskey distilling scene will be brought under one roof for a brand new food and drink festival, Sip and Savour at ICC Belfast on Saturday 16 August.
Celebrating the skills and unique stories of distilleries and breweries from across the region, Sip and Savour will provide the opportunity to sample some of the best beers and spirits the region has to offer. There will be opportunities to “meet the maker” and hear their colourful tales of trial, error and triumph in the pursuit of the perfect process and the ultimate blend.
The festival will also feature a tasty selection of top local food from Hospitality Belfast, as well as a programme of live musical entertainment.
The new event will see the exhibition space at ICC Belfast transformed with sipping and tasting stations and areas to sit and soak up the music and craic with friends and family. It promises to be a highlight of the summer’s weekends in the city.
The event is organised by ICC Belfast as one of the first in a series of new consumer events designed to provide new attractions at the venue for visitors and locals alike.
Charlie McCloskey, Director of Events and Customer Experience at ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall explained the origins of the event, saying,
“When hosting international delegates at our large conferences and conventions we’re really proud to promote the array of brilliant local craft beers and to share the historical origins of a growing number of local distillers. We wanted to find a way to showcase them all together, so we’ve created Sip and Savour as our own flagship event. We’ll be combing the finest local tipples with top class food and entertainment – perfect for a summer Saturday get-together.”
Peter McKevitt, Head of Entertainment at ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall said,
“I’m very pleased to reveal that our lineup will include McConnell’s Irish Whisky, Bullhouse Brew Co, Copeland Distillery and Hinch Distillery and something special from the experienced hands at Bushmills Irish Whiskey too. More will be revealed in the coming weeks. We want to keep the numbers manageable for the tasting experience, so we expect the tickets will be highly sought after.”
Tickets are now on sale from www.waterfront.co.uk with two sessions at 1pm and 5pm. Tickets are £42 plus booking fee and include tastings and food provided by ICC Belfast’s partner, Hospitality Belfast. The event is strictly for guests aged 18+ only and ID must be presented on entry.

Ballylisk Cheese of Armagh, a FoodNI member company, has won three major
awards for its creamy Triple Rose brand cheeses in the UK’s most prestigious
competition.
The family business in Portadown gained two golds and a bronze in the unique
British Virtual Cheese Awards for two creamy cheese, Triple Rose and Single Rose.
Triple Rose gained gold and Single Rose bronze in the White Mold Cheese
category. The second gold was for Triple Rose in Artisan Cheese – Made on the
Farm of Cow’s Milk.
The awards aim to create a sustainable, inclusive and transparent cheese awards
that support and celebrate British the diversity and quality of cheesemakers, from the
grassroots up. They seek “to nurture talent to help promote a sustainable and
thriving industry to consumers”. Another objective is to generate publicity, awareness
among consumers and a route to market for entrants.
​Using creamy milk from pedigree herds on Armagh farms, Ballylisk was also recently
the winner in the fiercely competitive Farmhouse Cheese category in the Artisan
Cheese Awards that attracted entries from across the British Isles. Ballylisk gained
several other medals for its quality cheese at the showcase. The company was
named a winner in the dairy category of Euro-Toques Ireland.
Euro-Toques celebrate Ireland’s culinary heritage and is a community of chefs and
cooks supporting small and artisan food producers and sourcing the best quality
ingredients available locally and in season.
The company, now one of Ireland’s leading cheese producers, recently secured
business with Marks and Spencer on the island of Ireland and expects to be listed by
the high-end retailer in Britain soon.