Finnebrogue Artisan, a Food NI member based inDownpatrick, won a national supply deal with Asda to produce 10 special Christmas lines, which will be available in its 578 UK-wide stores.

Six of the 10 products have been created especially for this Christmas, including a range of vegan products – stuffing balls, cocktail sausages and a vegan Wellington centre piece.

Other new products for this year include pork & red onion cocktail sausages, pork, sage & onion balls and the BBC Good Food & Good Housekeeping award-winning pigs in blankets festive feast stuffing centre piece.

Due to shopper demand, Asda has brought back four lines produced last year by Finnebrogue such as pork, sage & onion stuffing, pork cocktail sausages, sausage meat and bacon & chestnut stuffing.

The deal builds on Asda and Finnebrogue’s existing relationship, which has seen the family business supply sausages to the retailer since 2014.

John Cowen, Finnebrogue’s account manager for Asda, said: “We’re pleased to grow our long-standing relationship with Asda through the development of products for this year’s extra special Christmas range.

“We pride ourselves on innovation and are confident customers will love these new festive products and flavours, which cater to everyone at the Christmas table.”

Asda’s NI regional buying manager Emma Swan added: “We work alongside suppliers to create innovative, affordable, delicious and high-quality products, and this year’s Extra Special Christmas accompaniments from Finnebrogue are no exception.”

Mash Direct’s Tracy Hamilton Awarded MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the Northern Ireland agri-food sector

The award was made in recognition for Tracy’s “unwavering commitment growing and developing food and drink companies across Northern Ireland as well as championing diversification and diversity in agri-food”.

In the early 2000s, Tracy worked tirelessly with her husband Martin to create the Mash Direct brand on the family farm in Comber.  She has since worked to share this knowledge and best practice amongst start-ups for those aiming to set up small food and drink businesses across the region.

Over the years Tracy has worked tirelessly in sharing her knowledge and best practice in food, farming and sustainability through various bodies which led to her becoming the first woman to sit on the Board of NIFDA (Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association) as well as serving as a Visiting Professor at the Ulster Business School at the University of Ulster and a Director of Food NI for ten years.  She is also a Director of the Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust, sits on the Committee of the Irish Tree Society and is the Vice President for Ireland of the International Dendrology Society.

Speaking about her award, Tracy said “This is an incredible honour, I am in total disbelief. I feel very fortunate to be recognised and feel that this award belongs to the Northern Irish Agri-Food Sector as a whole and the incredible enthusiasm and hard work of all involved.”  

Tracy has won numerous entrepreneurial and agricultural awards for her contribution to agri-food including:

 

Hong Kong shoppers will soon be able to enjoy the unique flavours and outstanding quality of Glenarm Shorthorn meat from Hannan Meats in Moira, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland.

They will be able to buy the multi-award winning meats from iconic UK grocer Fortnum and Mason (F&M) which has just opened a two-storey shop at Victoria Dockside in Tsim Sha Tsui. The store, F&M’s first shop in Asia, is also an integral part of the high-end K11 Musea Mall in an affluent part of Kowloon.

Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats,which is based at Moira in county Armagh, announcedF&M’s decision to list the company’s much acclaimed Glenarm meats in the Hong Kong store, which opened in October. He continues: “We’re thrilled and excited to be featured in the new store, part of a major international expansion plan being implemented by Fortnum and Mason, the UK’s outstanding retailer of premium quality products.

“The decision is also a significant extension of the very close relationship we’ve enjoyed with F&M for over a decade and involves a range of premium Glenarm meats – aged in our unique complex of Himalayan Salt Chambers – that have been successful in the retailer’s popular store in London’s Piccadilly.

“A substantial consignment of our products is already on its way to Hong Kong and we look forward to supportingF&M with a series of in-store presentations there during 2020. It’s also our first retail business in Asia.

“The new store in the upmarket Musea Mall in Kowloon is an ideal location for all our products and we expect to do good business there over the next few years,” adds Mr Hannan.

Hannan Meats is now the most successful company in the UK Great Taste Awards, including winning two Supreme Champion titles for Guanciale and Glenarm Shorthorn Ribs. The company has also won Blas nahEirean Irish National Food Awards, British Charcuterie Awards and British Sausage Awards.

Hannan Meats, in addition, is supplying its award winning Himalayan Salt Aged Glenarm Shorthorn Ribs, Glenarm Shorthorn Sirloin, beef fillets, bavette, beef cheeks, T-Bones, Cote de boeuf steaks, lamb striploins and lamb racks, guanciale, ribs, chuck and brisket burgers to the hotel and restaurant at Le Portetta, one of France’s premiere ski resorts.

The 4-star ski resort is located at the slopes of Courchevel Moriond and features a luxury hotel, lofts and mountain lodges. The resort is famed for the quality and variety of its food.

Respected UK chef Angela Hartnett, who runs the kitchens at Cucina Angelina at La Portetta, was instrumental in the significant business with HannanMeats. She specialises in Italian influenced mountain food there.

 Mr Hannan adds: “I was delighted when Angela approached me to supply her excellent restaurant. Angela has enjoyed our meat in Britain over many years, and we’ve formed a tremendous friendship with this outstanding chef who appreciates premium quality ingredients especially our meat.”

Carnbrooke Meats in Dromara, suppliers of consistently high quality bespoke cuts of meat, poultry and game into Northern Ireland’s leading hotels and restaurants and their own retail outlet, paid £1,700 for an eye catching winner at the Hilltown Mart Christmas Show and Sale. Carnbrooke Meats is a Food NI member company.

Show judge Nigel Matchett choose as Housewife’s Choice a grade E3 heifer, aged 17 months, from a Newtownards farm. Sponsored by Joseph Walls, the Housewife’s Choice class drew a strong entry with the winner ideal for a butchery business built on farm quality assured produce.

Carnbrooke Meats founder and managing director Jason Hamilton, a butcher with over three decades’ experience, leads a team of 30 servicing high end clients including Hastings Hotels and leading restaurants including Michelin star winners Muddlers, Deanes and Ox .

“Customers also travel from all over NI to our artisan butcher’s shop in Dromara,” explained Jason. “An outlet offering extra touches of service as you buy the quality cuts of meat top chefs prefer.”

“In a decade we have built a sound reputation for an ability to supply every conceivable cut and preparation of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, duck and deer .

“Carnbrooke works with local producers, such as the Mourne Lamb Group, to source quality stock. Paying farmers for every kilo of lamb supplied provided the quality and specification matches our needs. Why only pay to 21 or 22kg when every kilo can be used? That does not make sense for us or our suppliers.

“Pork also comes off a farm within a very short distance of our EU approved premises. Mostly from John Ferguson at Begney Hill, Dromara. Beef is procured from Northern Ireland farms as our customers demand and deserve the best. Our rural community has produced top quality food for generations so why would anyone look elsewhere for the best available?”

At Carnbrooke Meats, the team of master butchers can cut orders to a customer’s exact specification. Having a purpose-built dry-ageing chamber on-site means you can order how long you want it to be hung.

Carnbrooke commercial director Jacqueline Hamilton, who recently joined her husband in the business after a 20-year career working with farmers and vets, adds: “Offering prime cuts from this award winning Housewife’s Choice heifer to our customers, be they chefs or families demonstrates Carnbrooke Meats is the prime supplier of local meat with traditional taste and values.

Belfast One and Cathedral Quarter BID have joined forces again to exclusively announce that Belfast Restaurant Week will return with more than forty restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars participating, from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 February 2020.

Speaking about Belfast Restaurant Week 2020, Clare Maguire, Managing Director of Belfast One, said: “With two highly successful Belfast Restaurant Week events under our belt in 2019, we are thrilled to be bringing Belfast Restaurant Week in February 2020. The event will run again during lunch and dinner service and we’re even bringing back the hugely popular Big Belfast Brunch at the weekend. It’s a cliché to say that it will be ‘bigger and better’ but we have every confidence that the food offering from our award winning City Centre restaurants will not disappoint.’’

Gareth Neill of Cathedral Quarter BID said: “Belfast’s food and drink scene is unrivalled and a huge driver for the City Centre. We are excited to be planning the return of Belfast Restaurant Week in February as it allows us to showcase and shine a spotlight on owners, chefs, and staff that make it the Belfast experience. The diversity of menus on offer and enticing price point allows people to try something new and get out and explore the City. We are incredibly proud to see this grow year on year.”

Belfast Restaurant Week is organised and delivered by Belfast One and Cathedral Quarter BID across BT1 and BT2 and returns from 17 to 23 February2020.

www.belfastrestaurantweek.org www.facebook.com/belfastrestaurantweek2020;

www.instagram.com/belfastrestaurantweek20; www.twitter.com/BelfastRW20.

A choice of two limited edition hampers have been launched by a group of artisan producers, based on the shores of Lough Neagh, who have come together to create the perfect accompaniment to any festive feast this Christmas. Led by Lough Neagh Partnership, the group, who have developed the hampers in a bid to encourage people to shop local, includes producers like Brambleberry Jams, Bakehouse, Crosskeys Inn, Harnett’s Oils and Hillstown Brewery.

Speaking about the new Christmas Hampers, Gerry Darby, Strategic Manager, Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “The Christmas Hamper collaboration is a first for local producers within 10 miles of the shores of Lough Neagh and is a tangible example of the commitment of Lough Neagh Partnership in working with local artisans to help bring their innovative ideas and creations to the wider public.”

Eimear Kearney, Marketing Manager, Lough Neagh Partnership, added: “We welcome thousands of international visitors to the area every year who enjoy our wonderful array of food products and by creating these hampers we are able to send them a taste of Lough Neagh produce when they are back home in their own country this Christmas.”

The Lough Neagh Artisan Group are currently receiving support under the Agri-Food Co-operation Scheme which is managed by Countryside Services Ltd on behalf of DAERA. The scheme is part of the NI Rural Development Programme and is part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Mandina Fulton from Countryside Services explains the benefits of the scheme: “The Agri-Food Co-operation Scheme offers individual producers the opportunity to work collaboratively with others to bring a project idea to fruition, whilst availing of funding to help develop their skills and market the product or service. Support measures such as social media training, marketing mentors, promotional material and study tours are offered under the scheme. We are delighted to see the progress made by the Lough Neagh Artisan group and wish them well with the launch of their hampers.”

The Gourmet Hamper is bursting with a range of festive goodies from Horny Bull Stout, Harnett’s Rapeseed Oil, Salted Caramel Sauce, Spiced Beetroot Relish, Bakehouse Christmas Cake to Crosskeys Mini Whiskey and Whiskey Glass.

The Luxury Hamper includes Horny Bull Stout, Squealing Pig IPA, two flavours of Harnett’s Oil, Salted Caramel Sauce, Spiced Beetroot Relish, Bakehouse Christmas Cake, Crosskeys Whiskey Marmalade, Crosskeys Mini Whiskey and Whiskey Glass, Ditty’s Oatcakes and Antrim Honey.

Packed in a delightful wicker hamper, the Gourmet Hamper is priced at £44.99 and the Luxury Hamper is priced at £64.99. The perfect addition under any Christmas tree this season, they can be bought from Hillstown Farm Shop, 128 Glebe Rd, Randalstown, Antrim, BT41 3DT, or online at: https://www.loughneaghtours.com/lough-neagh-hamper/

Further information on the Agri-Food Co-operation Scheme is available at www.countrysideservices.com