– Exclusive whiskey and cheese pairing masterclasses will roll out this winter –

Bushmills® Irish Whiskey is collaborating with renowned cheese affineur and founder of The Cheese Tasting Company, Ned Palmer, to host a series of whiskey and cheese pairing masterclasses across Ireland in November and December. The exclusive events will bring the 2019 #BlackBushStories campaign to a close, following a busy calendar of immersive consumer experiences throughout the country.

‘Black Bush & Cheese’ will take place in Belfast at The Pug Lounge in Pug Uglys on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November. The events are a first in Northern Ireland for the London-based cheese expert and will see Ned showcasing his favourite Irish cheeses as he joins Bushmills Brand Ambassador, Lauren McMullan, to introduce guests to the arts of both whiskey and cheese tasting.

The masterclass will explore the similarities between the crafts of Irish whiskey distillation and cheese making, uncovering the significance of the maturation process in each and how this reflects in their respective flavour profiles. Alongside this, guests will explore a selection of complementary pairings of Bushmills’ best loved whiskeys with artisan Irish cheeses and will have a go at creating their own pairings.

Inspired by the supreme craftsmanship, passion and care that goes into creating Bushmills Irish Whiskey, #BlackBushStories celebrates those who challenge traditional thinking in their fields and live outside the box. For Ned, a chance cheese tasting over twenty years ago led to a passion project that has developed into a career that he truly loves, building up an unrivalled rapport with dairies and artisan cheesemakers across the country to become a true master in the world of cheese craft.

The collaboration forms part of the immersive event series which tells the stories of independent, spirited and extraordinary talent and aims to inspire others to follow their own passions, whatever they may be.

To register for ‘Black Bush & Cheese’ and to hear more about Ned’s story, visit blackbushstories.com. To join in the conversation and keep up to date with the #BlackBushStories series, follow Bushmills Irish Whiskey on social media @BushmillsIRL.

Just weeks after announcing expansion plans and a major recruitment campaign, Genesis bakery in Magherafelt has unveiled new products, new recipes and a whole new look. Formerly known as Genesis Crafty, the company has dropped the ‘crafty’ and changed its strapline to Genesis – Baking it better since ’68.

Belfast design agency, Thought Collective, was commissioned to manage the rebrand, which follows the announcement that Genesis is investing over £750,000 in the business and recruiting an additional 35 staff.

The new identity is also being supported with an improved, expanded product offering, as Paul Allen, executive chairman, Genesis explains:

“We have been listening to customer feedback and have introduced a fresh, bold contemporary new look for the Genesis brand range. Our customers love our products’ traditional credentials and with new eye-catching packaging, they will be able to see exactly what they are getting.

“Our extensive customer research also led us to develop new recipes, with an increased shelf life and even better taste. The range, which includes delicious wheaten bread, pancakes, scones, soda bread, hot cross buns, coconut and iced fingers, brioche rolls and baps, has been rolling into stores over the last few weeks. A revamped cake range is also planned for the new year which will see new lines sitting alongside the company’s established favourites.”

JP Lyttle, commercial director, Genesis, explains how the rebrand fits within the company’s wider business strategy:

“We are committed to maintaining our high-quality standards and developing innovative product ranges. It is this strive for excellence that has assisted us in winning a range of significant new contracts over the last 12 months. We have successfully reasserted Genesis’ position as an established industry leader and this refreshed identity, supported by an extensive sampling campaign, new creative point of sale, digital, consumer and trade PR, will undoubtedly further build market share.”

Mr Lyttle continues: “Genesis is also driving innovation in terms of our packaging. The company is currently trialling recyclable film across the range with a view to having 100% recyclable packaging by early 2020.”

Sam Bell, creative director with Thought Collective, the Belfast design agency which managed the rebrand, adds: “Genesis is well established for creating quality products; a clear leader in the sector. Thought Collective’s job was to turn that position into a tangible brand. ‘Baking it better since ’68’ was conceived to encapsulate the company’s heritage as well as its vision for the future – it’s the rally cry for a team of innovative master bakers. Strategic copywriting, along with succinct naming and powerful typography have delivered strong foundations for the brand as we move towards phase two.”

Genesis products are sold in more than 700 stores across Northern Ireland. The brand has an impressive 50-year heritage and the use of premium ingredients ensures customers get a fantastic product each time they buy a Genesis branded product. The bakery also produces a range of bread and cakes for many of the UK’s largest and most prestigious retailers including Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

The company currently employs more than 350 staff in its Magherafelt premises with further recruitment scheduled in the next 12 months to keep pace with the level of ongoing expansion that the business is experiencing.

Irish Black Butter in Portrush is in line for its first sales in the Middle East.

The Co Antrim-based producer of a unique savoury/sweet spread and a peanut butter version has been approached to supply its products, including the multi award winning Irish Black Butter, to a foodservice operation in gas-rich Qatar on the Persian Gulf.

Irish Black Butter founder Alastair Bell explains: “I’ve had a number of approaches recently following my success on winning three starts in the Great Taste Awards and from my appearance on Dragons’ Den.

“These have included interesting opportunities from a foodservice operation in Qatar with successful business in the country and also a request for samples from a retailer in Boston.

“I am immensely encouraged by the strength of interest in Irish Black Butter in the international marketplace. These and other approaches I’ve had are currently being explored and will be sending samples.

“I’ll then be seeking to follow up the contacts with a view to doing business in these exciting markets. Qatar in particular will be home to the FIFA World Cup in 2022,” he adds.

Mr Bell established the company in November 2017 to create a novel spread using Northern Ireland’s PGI rated Armagh Bramley Apples. The product, which also includes cider, treacle and a touch of brandy was influenced from an apple spread he experienced during a visit to Jersey.

The product was described by Mr Bell as a “New Taste of Ireland’ for visitors to the island as well as local consumers.

Irish Black is now on sell in Britain as well as in the Republic of Ireland with independent retailers. Upwards of 100 delis and independent food stores on the island of Ireland currently stock the butter.

The product has also won UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann food awards over the past two years.

Dale Farm Ice Cream sales at Grand Opera House up 20% YOY.

Dale Farm, the largest UK farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has announced record ice cream sales at the Grand Opera House, home of the country’s most loved pantomime.

The official ice cream supplier to the venue, Dale Farm saw the ‘performance’ of ice cream soar by 20% in 2019 compared to last year.

This is Dale Farm’s fourth consecutive year of its sponsorship of the annual festive pantomime. A record 60,000 tickets have already been sold for Beauty and the Beast starring May McFettridge, who celebrates her 30th Christmas season taking to the stage.

Looking forward to another busy season, with ambitions to increase sales again this year, Caroline Martin, Head of Corporate Marketing at Dale Farm said:

“Dale Farm is delighted to return as sponsor for this year’s pantomime, a star-studded performance of Beauty and the Beast. Northern Ireland has a special place in its heart for ice cream which, like the pantomime, holds nostalgic memories for many, such as enjoying a Dale Farm Vanilla Cup at the interval.

“Our ice cream category is a hugely important part of our business and sponsorships such as the Grand Opera House, help us promote our brand to more 90,000 people and ultimately drive sales for our business, owned by 1,300 hardworking farmers.”

The Guild of Fine Food’s annual Shop of the Year awards, an accreditation scheme which recognises and promotes excellence in independent retail, has announced its finalists for 2020. Among the 36 independent retail outlets named, Indie Füde, a deli based in Comber, has been shortlisted in the Delicatessen & Grocer category for the third consecutive year.

Having had a written entry reviewed by a panel of respected industry experts, Indie Füde, which sells small batch artisan products made in Ireland, will now undergo two further rounds of judging; an announced visit from one of the judges and a mystery shop carried out by Insight6. Shop of the Year 2020 will reach its exciting finale on Monday 9 March when the world of fine food gathers at Fodder Farm Shop and Café in Harrogate to find out the winners of each category, immediately following Fine Food Show North, the Guild of Fine Food’s trade-only exhibition held at the Yorkshire Event Centre.

From overall shopping experience and financial performance to staff training opportunities and environmental initiatives in place, the panel of judges, which includes Edward Berry of The Flying Fork, Stuart Gates, former managing director at Fortnum & Mason and senior buyer at Harrods, award-winning retailer Tracey Colley and food writer, Patrick McGuigan, will rate, score and provide feedback on every aspect of the shops before agreeing on an overall category winner. A Newcomer Award will be given to a worthy category entrant that has been trading for less than two years and any entrants considered to be leading the way with new ideas will be put forward for the Innovation Award.

Facts and figures about Shop of the Year 2020:

• Shop of the Year recognises and promotes excellence in independent retail
• Previously forming part of the Great Taste accreditation scheme, Shop of the Year is now a standalone accreditation, offering independent retailers a recognised stamp of approval from industry experts
• Shop of the Year is judged by a panel of experts with a proven track record of success in independent retail
• Insight6 provides valuable feedback, through the eyes of the customer, in an unannounced visit to each finalist
• There are five categories:
o Delicatessen & Grocer
o Specialist Cheese Shop
o Farm Shop (farmer owned)
o Food Hall
o Specialist Food or Drink Shop