Ulster Bank has recently produced a new and important briefing on how the various Brexit outcomes could impact on individual businesses here. The bank has agreed that we should assist Food NI member companies by putting it on our website for information.

It is based on an assessment by NatWest, Ulster Bank’s parent company, on the probabilities of various Brexit outcomes in the near-term. It comes from discussions with customers.

These revolve around Deal, no deal or extension and relate to the various Brexit timelines (e.g. the 31st October 2019 EU exit deadline).

Basically No deal = Bad (sterling weakens & BoE slash interest rates to 0.1%).
Conversely, Deal = Good (sterling strengthens & BoE may not need to lower interest rates at all).

Extension = somewhere in between.

Where are we now?

With the UK Parliament passing legislation requiring the UK Government to seek an extension to Article 50 in the absence of a Deal, a No deal scenario by 31 October looks very unlikely (2%). Equally, the prospect of a deal looks increasingly unlikely. Following the Brexit plan revealed in the last 24 hours, the odds of a deal between the UK and the EU look even slimmer.  That leaves Extension (to 31 January 2020) as the most likely outcome in October with a General Election being slotted in before then (late-Nov / Early Dec 2019).

Stand back from the noise…nothing to see here

Boris Johnson’s “two borders for four years” Brexit plan was recently unveiled. It has been met with considerable criticism. This has nothing to do with business / economic interests and everything to do with politics.

Extension then Election

Needless to say what details have been revealed, the outlook suggests that the proposed plan is unlikely to be agreed to by the EU. The latter are not going to compromise ahead of a General Election. Similarly, Boris Johnson’s interests are best served by being seen to present a deal that the EU has spurned.

Fermanagh meat specialist, O’Doherty’s Fine Meats, is hosting Fermanagh’s Black Pudding Festival in Enniskillen. The festival, which started at the beginning of October, will be running until the 28th of October with lots of things happening around the Island town. 

O’Doherty’s business development manager, Fintan O’Doherty says: “It’s a celebration of Black Pudding from all around the world, and it gives the people of Enniskillen and further afield a unique opportunity to try some of these wonderful flavours, and even the chance to win some fantastic prizes.”

As part of the festival, O’Doherty’s is also running a Black Pudding Cooking Competition which is free to enter and open to the general public. 

All is needed is to submit a recipe that uses black pudding, and the top five recipes will be invited along to present their dish in front of a panel of judges. 

Managing director, Pat O’Doherty adds: “Year on year this competition has gained momentum with the foodies of Ireland and the UK. We even had several international entries last year from France and Germany.” 

The grand finale of the Black Pudding Festival will take place in Magee’s Bar, Enniskillen on the 28th of October. The night is open to the general public and free snacks will be provided whilst the Black Pudding champion of 2019 is crowned. 

You can submit your black pudding recipes by email to mail@blackbacon.com or by post to 3 Belmore St, Enniskillen BT74 6AA. 

Double delight for team Deanes with the publication of the Michelin Guide for Great Britain & Ireland 2020.  Deanes EIPIC has retained its Michelin Star and Deanes At Queens has once again been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

It’s the fifth year in a row that EIPIC, based in Deanes flagship premises in Howard Street, has won the prestigious Star.  The announcement was made at a ceremony in London today which was attended by Restaurateur Michael Deane and Deanes EIPIC Head Chef Alex Greene.  Michael Deane said “We are all absolutely delighted to win the Star for the fifth consecutive year and also retain our Bib Gourmand. It’s a true reflection of the dedication to high standards and the dogged hard work of the team at Deanes”.

Michael Deane himself is now celebrating his nineteenth Michelin Star over twenty-three years in four different venues. “There are many award ceremonies these days” he said “which people must find very confusing, but Michelin is globally recognised as the one truly objective judge of the quality and standard of restaurants”

He continued, “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Chef Alex Greene who’s been at the helm of Deanes EIPIC for two years now.  He and his team have continued to consistently deliver the quality experience that our customers have come to expect and which they appreciate.”  

Alex began his cooking career in the Michelin Starred Deanes in 2007 and from there went on to work in Petrus by Gordon Ramsay, Claridge’s by Gordon Ramsay and The Cliff House in Ardmore, all Michelin Starred establishments.  

Michael Deane added “It’s also wonderful that our city of Belfast can now boast another Michelin Starred restaurant.  We congratulate Chef Gareth McCaughey at The Muddler’s Club which now sits alongside Deanes EIPIC and OX making our city a culinary destination for the increasing numbers of visitors who are coming here.”

Michael Deane also paid tribute to Deanes At Queens Head Chef Malachy McCafferty for the team’s repeated success at Deanes At Queens with the award of the Michelin Bib Gourmand signifying what Michelin describe as “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.”