An unmissable foodie celebration is coming to the Causeway Coast and Glens this autumn.

Taste Causeway 2019, presented by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and the Taste Causeway Collaborative Growth Network, promises a month filled with foodie experiences and festivals, which celebrate the producers, makers, chefs and hospitality providers who make the Causeway Coast and Glens a stand-out food destination.

Kicking off from October 4^th, it’s a time to come together with family, friends and visitors to savour and enjoy the exceptional food and drink which the region has to offer through an eclectic mix of theme nights, workshops, tours, taster menus, pop-up supper clubs and artisan markets in a range of coast and countryside locations.

Looking ahead to the series of events, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Sean Bateson said: “Taste Causeway is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the exciting foodie culture of the Causeway Coast and Glens. In recent years, the emergence of a strong network of local producers and a progressive hospitality industry who see the value in doing things differently has helped to shape this area as food tourism destination. Through Taste Causeway 2019 we want you to experience this for yourself and be a part of this exciting celebration.”

Kerrie McGonigle, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Destination Manager added: “We are delighted to reveal our best ever Taste Causeway programme and take our place in the ‘Taste the Island’ campaign initiated by Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland. We’re grateful to all our partners who have contributed to such a creative and varied programme of food and drink events, and we look forward to sharing this with you all.”

Sharon Scott, Lead Facilitator with the Invest NI Taste Causeway Collaborative Growth Network said: “We are excited to collaborate with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on this month long food and drink celebration. It’s a very exciting time for us, with Taste Causeway recently named runner-up in a search for Ireland’s best Foodie Destination. This was a huge honour for us and such recognition indicates the high calibre of foodie themed events which will be showcased throughout October.”

Gary Quate, Food and Drink Experience Development Officer at Tourism NI added: “We are pleased to support the Taste Causeway event which will showcase the vibrant restaurant scene as well as the wide range of superb local produce the area has to offer. As a result of Tourism NI’s Taste the Island Event Scheme, Taste Causeway has grown from a week-long celebration to a three week showcase of fabulous food and drink.  It is fantastic to see the NI food and drink sector fully embrace the initiative and I would encourage visitors to discover why Taste Causeway and Causeway Coast and Glens were voted 2nd for ‘Foodie Destination of the Year’ by the Restaurant Association of Ireland.”

Across the Causeway Coast and Glens, there is a memorable foodie experience to suit you, using the very best of fresh local and seasonal produce, complemented by fine wines our local craft beers and world-famous whiskey.

Pick up a brochure from your Visitor Information Centre or for full programme details and ideas on what to do and where to stay during Taste Causeway 2019 go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com.  For full information on the local food and drink scene in the Causeway Coast and Glens go to www.tastecauseway.com and follow @tastecauseway for news and stories about the events throughout October.

Taste Causeway 2019 is supported by Tourism NI.

Cloughbane Farm has secured a new listing with Ocado to stock its Cloughbane Little Farm products.

The Little Farm range of children’s meals was developed to meet the nutritional needs of a growing child and includes Mince & Veggie Mash, Chicken & Veggie Mash, Mac & Cheese and a Veggie Bake.

County Tyrone based Cloughbane Farm has worked with Ocado since 2013 and currently supplies a selection of branded products across the chilled pre-prepared meal solution category including lasagne, cottage pie and fish pie.

The business, which is based on the Robinson family farm in Pomeroy, now employs almost 50 people and has experienced 25% revenue growth since 2013. The new listing provides additional export credentials for the growing business Lorna Robinson, Managing Director of Cloughbane Farm explains,

“We’re delighted to expand the range of Cloughbane Farm products available online through Ocado to include Little Farm meals, which is also our first GB listing for the range.

“Providing children with wholesome, nutritious meals is something I feel very passionately about – as a businesswoman but also as a grandmother. At the ‘ping’ of a microwave, families are provided with a home cooked meal made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and free from artificial additives and preservatives. We are confident Ocado customers will love the range as much as we do!”

Penina Kahtan, Buying Manager at Ocado added, “We are thrilled to stock Cloughbane Little Farm meals as we know how much our customers value choice when it comes to choosing nutritious and convenient options for their children.”

The Cloughbane Little Farm range is now available online at www.Ocado.com.

Thirteen local artisan producers here will see their homemade and handcrafted products on the shelves of EUROSPAR community supermarkets this month, as Henderson Wholesale adds them to their local supplier roster.

 A champion of local produce, Henderson’s team sources over 75 percent of their fresh food from local farmers, growers and producers, and has now extended their reach to include smaller, innovative artisanal suppliers as part of a long-term business strategy.

 The strategy will aim to add Northern Ireland’s ‘hidden gems’ to their wholesale business, providing suppliers an opportunity for team expansion and business growth by supplying to hundreds of stores and supermarkets across the country thanks to Henderson’s distribution network, which operates from their warehouses in Mallusk. 

 Celebrated foodies including Broighter Gold, Just Live a Little, Suki Tea and Finnebrogue will see their products alongside Kennedy Bacon, Ditty’s Bakery, Irish Black Butter, Orchard Smokehouse and Erne Larder.

 Businesses dreamt up in local kitchens such as Hollah Preserving and Peppup Sauce will also join Clandeboye Yogurt and Cavanagh Free Range Eggs in the range which exceeds 50 products.

 All of the producers are award-winning, with many gaining recognition from the covetable Great Taste Awards, and for some, this is their first major wholesaler listing.

 Gareth McAnlis, Fresh Foods Development Manager at Henderson Wholesale, says this not only elevates their retailer foodie credentials but helps local artisanal suppliers expand; “It’s a well-known fact that we have some of the world’s best food crafters in Northern Ireland, and it is important that wholesalers such as ourselves draw on our local roots and ensure we’re helping smaller companies succeed in a busy marketplace.

 “The Fresh Team at Henderson’s meet food producers from across the country who have innovative products to put to market but are struggling with that first step. As a local wholesaler and retailer, we have the operations and logistics in place to help, and make it happen for them.”

 Portaferry company, Just Live A Little will see their range of granola added to the artisanal line up. David Crawford, who founded the company with wife Jill, said; “To partner with one of the biggest wholesalers and retailers in Northern Ireland enables us to grasp an opportunity for growth.

 “Hendersons has proven their commitment to local and we’re proud to be part of their local supplier roster and sit on the shelves of their local stores. Extending our stockist list is a valuable part of our business, so knowing we have the potential to reach so many stores in Northern Ireland is exciting and we’re looking forward to progressing.”

 The range of 53 artisan products includes preserves, granola, free range eggs, sauces, smoked meats, bacon, cooking oil and butter, which wouldn’t typically be found at a local community retailer.

 Gareth continued; “Shopping is all about choice, so instead of a shopper having to go to several places to get their everyday essentials or a unique product, we’re bringing everything under one roof. We’re continuing to listen to our shoppers and the increasing consumer demand for niche products that deliver on taste and quality.”

 The range will be available in 28 EUROSPAR supermarkets across Northern Ireland initially, then introduced further throughout 2020.

 The campaign will be supported with an integrated marketing roll out across Henderson’s brand platforms, and retailers will get their first taste of the range at their annual retailer conference next month.

Morelli’s, Northern Ireland’s famous ice cream family, has just launched an edible ice cream tub as part of its commitment to waste reduction and the conservation.

The Coleraine-based company’s new Eco Tub is an edible ice cream tub made entirely of wafer. 

The new tub has a biodegradable and compostable sleeve which takes only 10 days to fully decompose. 

Daniella Morrelli-Kerr, a director of Morelli’s, says the company decided to launch Eco Tub in conjunction with their local wafer and cone supplier to help reduce waste. 

“With ice cream tubs now overtaking cones, we hated the thought of this type of packaging littering the landscape and so we believe we have helped to create the most environmentally friendly way to enjoy a Morelli’s ice cream,” she says.

Eco Tub was launched at the Tesco Taste Fest 20th-22nd September at Custom House Square. The tubs will be available at Morelli stores soon.

Burren Balsamics, Northern Ireland’s award winning producer of balsamic vinegars, has announced significant business deals in Britain from its extensive marketing activities there.

The family business, based at Richhill in county Armagh, has started supplying its fruit infused balsamic vinegars to the House of Commons gift shop as well as high-end food retailers Partridges in London and Fenwick in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Partridges has listed two products – award winning Armagh Bramley Apple and Blackberry and Thyme, both made with locally sourced fruit. Armagh Bramley Apple balsamic vinegar won Gold at Blas na hEireann, the Irish National Food and Awards, as well as 2 stars in the Great Taste Awards. Blackberry and Thyme was the Best Artisan Product at Blas in 2017.

The House of Commons is selling a gift pack of three Burren vinegars – Bramley Apple, Blackberry and Thyme and a Balsamic Vinegar – under its own branding.

Susie Hamilton Stubber, who runs the business with development chef Bob McDonald, commenting on the latest business in Britain, says: “We are thrilled to add such prestigious and quality conscious clients to our growing portfolio of high-end customers in Great Britain, a market we’ve been targeting for some considerable time.

“Our growth strategy has involved taking part in major trade shows and other high profile events such as the recent Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire and the Abergavenny Food Festival,” she adds.

“The business with the House of Commons, for instance, came from our participation in the Top Drawer show in London. Our agreements with Partridges, one of the most prestigious retailers of premium food products in London, and Fenwick came through our distribution network.

“All three deals will be immensely important as we continue to develop our business in Great Britain, a significant market for us outside Northern Ireland. We recognised some time ago that we had to grasp marketing opportunities in Britain by engaging in as many events as practicable, representing a very substantial investment in time and finance for a small business,” adds Susie, an experienced chef who set up the business in 2014.

“It’s really very exciting to see a bundle of our unique balsamics in a House of Commons branded gift box,” she continues.

As well as developing a range of balsamic vinegars, Burren Balsamics is also focusing on creating other delicious artisan products such as jams and chutneys from wholesome leftovers of the vinegar production. The recycled products are the outcome of the company’s strategic focus on achieving zero waste.
Among the recycled products created is a balsamic chutney from PGI Armagh Bramley apples for Ballylisk of Armagh to accompany its unique Triple Rose, a triple cream cheese from milk sourced from the dairy’s farm in Co Armagh.

Leftovers of Burren’s blood orange and cardamom balsamic vinegar have been used to create an original marmalade.

The third product so far in the zero waste range is the onion jam which uses the onions left over from the 2 star Great Taste Award roast onion black balsamic. It also goes really well with cheese.

“It makes sense to us to use up the leftovers. They are high-quality ingredients. They taste amazing and we love experimenting so it’s a no brainer!” says Susie.