Three new sauces aimed at health conscious shoppers have been launched in Northern Ireland by PEPPUP, which specialises in original Italian pasta sauces and ketchup.

Based at Newtownards in county Down, the company, founded and managed by Dr Luca Montorio, has created a new range of Bolognese and dipping sauce following the growing trends towards clean food with strong healthy attributes.

Dr Montorio, a nutritionist originally from Turin, has developed sauces which are 100 percent plant based. “The two Bolognese sauces, available in Basil and Chilli flavours, have been developed to provide delicious homemade flavours from premium fruit and vegetables, including some organic ingredients.

“Both the Bolognese and Dipping sauces, are fat-free, with no added sugar, no preservatives, no allergens and are IBS-friendly.

“The new products are also suitable for gluten-free and dairy-free and also for vegan and vegetarian consumers with just 48kCal/100g,” adds Dr Montorio.

The Bolognese sauces are available in a family size 480g jar. The dipping sauce is available in a smoky flavour in 330g. The new products will be widely available through independents, delis, farm shops, butchers and multiples including Spar.

PEPPUP was formed by Dr Montorio and wife Liz in 2014. The initial products were ketchup and pasta sauce, which are now on sale in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The original products, featuring roasted tomatoes and peppers, are based on original recipes developed by Luca and influenced by his upbringing in Turin, where his parents still live.

PEPPUP’s initial products are selling successfully in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland through distributors and major retailers including Booth’s supermarkets in Lancashire and TK Maxx.

Dr Montorio has developed the unique recipes for his portfolio of authentic Italian sauces which have won multiple UK Great Taste Awards and Free From Ireland awards.

The company has been assisted by business development agency Invest NI to develop new products and its marketing activities.

Chocolatiers Shane and Dorothy Neary of Neary Nogs, a Food NI member company, recently took part in a major international chocolate congress in Madrid. They were the only chococlatiers from Ireland invited by the organisers of ChocoMad 2019 – Salon Internacionale del Chocolate.

The Northern Ireland chocolatiers had an opportunity to talk about their business and sample their unique bean-to-bar chocolates at one of the world’s most important event in the international chocolate calendar.

Shane Neary says: “We were thrilled to be invited as the only representatives from the island of Ireland to speak at such an important event. It was a tremendous business opportunity in that it gave us an unprecedented opportunity to increase awareness of our products to a very knowledgeable audience of chocolatiers, chefs and retailers.

The husband and wife team has just opened Northern Ireland’s first artisan chocolate factory and visitor centre in the Mournes, near Rostrevor. Visitors are able to view the bean-to-bar production process and then sample the freshly produced chocolate. The company is Northern Ireland’s only bean to bar chocolate producer.

They’ve already hosted a series of tours including one involving Tourism NI. The new chocolate factory is being included alongside a visit to the Killowen Distillery nearby, a producer of gin, poitin and eventually whiskey.

“Taking part in ChocoMad was a marvellous experience and a great opportunity to meet key influencers in our industry. We made a lot of great contacts and many business opportunities,” he adds.

Neary Nogs is Northern Ireland’s only producer of stoneground chocolate made from high quality beans from single estates especially in the Dominican Republic and Sao Tome.

The Co Down chocolatiers were among international names such Guylian, Valor and Simón Coll at the two-day congress. They were able to taste their chocolates along with more than 50 chocolate brands from 20 countries. The event focused on the ‘bean to bar’ trend and also showcased artisan chocolates from Venezuela, Norway, Italy, Mexico, Ecuador and, of course, Spain.

The company sources cacao beans ethically from Sâo Tomé, Dominican Republic and Ecuador.  It hand sorts the beans, roast, crack and winnow, stone grind and temper the chocolate.

​Neary Nogs began making chocolate in 2011 using a unique recipe from Dorothy’s family in the US. Since 2011, the small artisan business has won major awards, sold chocolate to Belgium, as well as in the UK, other parts of Europe and to New Zealand, Australia and the US.

Healthy snack brand, Forest Feast, is gearing up for the upcoming rugby season with the launch of a new range of limited-edition nut mixes – inspired by some of the great rugby nations from around the world.

Believe it or ‘nut’, savoury snacks have always been a staple favourite for sports fans, so Forest Feast has crafted four new, uniquely blended, nut mixes to satisfy these cravings. Each pack is full of bold flavours and will provide the fuel needed to power through a full 80 minutes until the final whistle.

Deirdre Burns, Trade Marketing Manager at Forest Feast, said: “At Forest Feast, we are a team of innovators who are inspired by food and cultures around the world, so our latest range is a ‘throw in’ of all our experiences of travelling the globe. We also know that almost 60% of 25-34 year olds are keen to ‘try’ new and exciting flavours, so our latest product range ‘tackles’ this growing demand and offers a diverse range of flavours to tantalise taste buds.

“So, while you ‘lock’ in the key dates in the upcoming season into your diary and make plans to watch the matches with friends and family, make sure you ‘mark’ your favourite flavour as this limited range will help you turn it up a ‘nut-ch’ while cheering on your favourite team.”

The range, which takes inspiration from flavours found in some of the greatest rugby playing nations, includes:

·       BBQ Haka: Sweet & sticky BBQ cashews and peanuts with crunchy peas, smoky almonds, honey mustard and onion sesame sticks

·       Steak and Stout: Flame-grilled steak flavoured peanuts and cashews with dry roasted peanuts and Irish stout flavoured almonds

·       Cheddar and Onion: Mature cheddar and onion peanuts and cashews with tangy cheese peanuts, cashews, almonds and pumpkin seeds

·       Teriyaki: Sweet and tangy Teriyaki peanuts and almonds with spicy sweet chilli nuts and seeds

Forest Feast, known as the original snack explorers, is a family-run business based in Co. Armagh and in its 23 rd year of operation. Forest Feast Limited Edition Nut Mixes come in 180g packs at a cost of £2.50 and are available in retailers nationwide from 16th September while stocks last – so hurry, there may be a ‘ruck’-us when stocks run low!

Food NI member The Echlinville Distillery in Co Down has unveiled its award winning Dunville’s VR 18 Year Old Port Mourant Rum Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey.

This cask strength (57% abv) limited release is from the first of eight incredibly rare casks from the lost Port Mourant Estate Distillery in Guyana – casks that previously nurtured an exceptional 41 year old Demerara Rum from the world’s last surviving double wooden pot still.

With four international awards already to its name, this Single Cask bottling is the jewel in the crown of the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey portfolio. It joins Dunville’s PX 12 Year Old Single Malt, Dunville’s Three Crowns and Dunville’s Three Crowns Peated, which have recently been relaunched with new look bespoke bottles and gift packs.

Joining the Dunville’s Very Rare range, the Rum Finish bottling is presented in an exquisite collector’s box, the contents of which have been carefully curated to reflect both Dunville’s rich heritage and the unique provenance of the rare rum casks in which the whiskey has been finished. In fact, the package includes a sample of the very same 41 year old rum that was disgorged from the Port Mourant casks before Echlinville refilled them with single malt whiskey. An exciting proposition for any whiskey or rum collector Dunville’s VR 18 Year Old Port Mourant Rum Finish Whiskey has already picked up four international accolades. It was named Best Irish Single Cask at the World Whiskies Awards and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible in 2018, Best Irish Single Malt 13-20 Years at the World Whiskies Awards 2019 and Irish Single Cask Gold Medal Winner at the Irish Whiskey Awards 2018.

Speaking about the launch, Jarlath Watson from The Echlinville Distillery said: “When Echlinville became the proud custodians of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, we made it our founding goal to revive restore Dunville’s it to its rightful place among the premier whiskeys of the world. This latest release perfectly realises that goal and encompasses Echlinville’s ethos of tradition meets innovation.”

Rare Rum Cask Finish

Jarlath continued: “Dunville’s VR 18 Year Old Port Mourant Rum Finish is the perfect marriage of mature Irish Single Malt and exquisite Caribbean Rum, having been masterfully finished in some of the last remaining casks from the famous Port Mourant Estate Distillery.

“Founded in 1732, the Port Mourant Estate Distillery produced some of the world’s finest Demerara Rums. Each of their casks was lined with rich dark molasses treacle before being filled with rum from their iconic wooden still.

“The 2015 bottling of an exquisite 41 year old Port Mourant Estate Demerara Rum presented us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to obtain eight of those exceptional casks, with a level of quality and provenance seldom seen in ex-rum barrels.

“From the moment we got our hands on these Port Mourant Estate casks we knew this whiskey was going to be very special indeed. The intensity of flavour that is so unique to these casks now resonates through the nose, palate and finish of our whiskey.

“Layerings of sweet molasses, dark muscovado sugar and vanilla give way to stewed fruits, apple strudel, candied orange, cinnamon and clove, before those rum casks take over with crème brȗlée, banana bread and those sugars that combine with the malt’s natural oils to coat the mouth quite sublimely with pure treacle molasses, perfectly defining this magnificent whiskey.”

Speaking about the proud heritage of the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey brand, Jarlath continued: “Originally produced at the Royal Irish Distilleries in Belfast, Dunville’s was among the world’s most iconic whiskey brands until production fell silent in 1936.

“As custodians of the Dunville’s name, we are hugely proud of the brand’s rich heritage – a heritage that is celebrated in the beautifully ornate box in which our rum finish whiskey is presented. Alongside a replica of an original Dunville’s mirror, the box also includes a book detailing the story of the brand from its birth in 1808 until its rebirth here at Echlinville and beyond.

“Today marks a new chapter in that story and we are very excited to see what lies ahead for The Spirit of Belfast.” Dunville’s VR 18 Year Old Port Mourant Rum Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey is available from The Echlinville Distillery and select retail outlets RRP £585.

White’s Oats in Tandragee, Co Armagh is now supplying over 800 Aldi stores across Britain with it’s a popular Toasted Oats product.

The company is a leading UK porridge and oat cereal brand. The Aldi listing is for its Toasted Oats, Apple and Cinnamon Crunch product.

White’s has started supplying the product, in 500g packs, to Aldi in one of the biggest deals it has secured in Britain. The company, part of Fane Valley Group, has been milling oats, sourced mostly Northern Ireland farmers, for 178 years.

White’s, best known for its iconic White’s Speedicook Porridge Oats, is the market leader within Northern Ireland and a major supplier to retailers in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and other international markets. White’s Toasted Oats cereals rank within the top 10 selling granola and oat cluster products.

White’s has been a supplier to Aldi in the Republic of Ireland for over 10 years and more recently started supplying porridge oats into Aldi GB. This most recent listing will strengthen White’s efforts in introducing new consumers to the brand outside of its domestic market.

Danielle McBride, Brand Manager of White’s Oats, commenting on the latest deal with Aldi, says: “Our partnership with Aldi has developed over the past decade resulting in significant growth and creating the opportunity to introduce our White’s brand to Aldi shoppers for the first time, via our award-winning Toasted Oats product.”

A favourite breakfast product with health conscious Northern Ireland consumers, White’s Toasted Oats has won many great taste awards.

“We are confident that the taste and flavour that consumers have come to love will resonate with Aldi GB shoppers. This an exciting channel for us and we hope this will be the first of many new listings for White’s in Aldi GB,” adds Danielle McBride.

She continues: “We have a strong heritage with equally strong health credentials which is something retailers and consumers increasingly value. In addition, our farming partnerships with growers along with its 178 years of milling expertise means we are perfectly placed to add real value to retailers and consumers through our unique offer.”

White’s was founded in 1841 in Tandragee, county Armagh, Northern Ireland by Thomas Henry White who came from a family of millers. White’s soon established itself as a reputable force in the oat milling industry, which enabled it to establish a strong reputation as an innovative and pioneering spirit. This was evident in the first patented wafer oat in late 1800s followed by the launch of Speedicook Porridge, a quick cooking flake in the early 1920s and which went on to became a trusted household name and a market leading porridge brand.

White’s, which in 2016 celebrated 175 years of milling, now has an annual turnover of £12 million, processing 26,000 tonnes of oats every year.  It is Northern Ireland’s only porridge and oat cereal producer and Ireland’s largest oat miller. But the company also has a global profile, marketing its products throughout Great Britain, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Spain, Russia and China.

White’s is part of Fane Valley, a local farmer’s co-operative, and works with a network of 30 local growers, some of whom have been supplying White’s with oats for three generations.

Danielle McBride adds: “It is the strength of our partnerships with local farmers that allow us to continually produce quality, award winning porridge oats and oat based breakfast cereals.  In addition, we have a growing network of organic oat growers outside of Northern Ireland. We are now developing strong partnerships with British organic farmers.

“Our milling process is unique in that it gives the oats a special character in terms of taste and texture, delivering a distinctively nutty texture and creamy taste – resulting in numerous Great Taste Awards from the Guild of Fine Food over the years.”

Erne Larder Preserves in Northern Ireland has listed for two innovative products by leading retailer Henderson Group.

Based in Enniskillen, Erne Larder, a small artisan enterprise run by chef Declan O’Donoghue, has begun supplying its original Irish Bacon Ketchup and Irish Bacon Jam to Henderson’s for the prestigious retailers Spar, Eurospar and Vivo stores throughout Northern Ireland. Erne Larder is a Food NI member company.

Erne Larder’s two products will initially be available in the 26 stores owned by the group, Northern Ireland’s biggest independent retailer and foodservice operation. Erne Larder will also have the potential to win business with the group’s 240 franchised outlets.

Mr O’Donoghue, commenting on its first major retail business, says: “This is a massive breakthrough for us as we approach the third anniversary of my decision to set up the company and the launch of Irish Bacon Jam, our very first product. It’s very positive and exciting for us and a tremendous endorsement of my artisan products.”

The initial approach from Henderson Group to become a supplier was made at this year’s Royal Ulster Agricultural Show at Balmoral Park when it took part in Food NI’s Taste the Greatness pavilion.. “We were thrilled to be asked to become a supplier in what is currently our biggest retail outlet,” Mr O’Donoghue continues. “It’s a marvellous boost for our business,” he adds.

The small company has also been part of a Lidl promotion for smaller food producers and has supplied its bacon jam and Irish whiskey marmalade to the discount retailer throughout Ireland.

The smoked bacon jam and ketchup are part of a developingportfolio of jams, relishes and pesto that Mr O’Donoghue has developed from his experience as a chef over 20 years in leading hotels and restaurants in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.

The successful smoked bacon jam followed approaches from hotel chefs for such a product for use in dishes and with cheese. ” I’ve always been interested in making my own food products and decided to start with a range of unusual jams and chutneys,” he says.

He adds: “The products are all based on my work in hotel kitchens to create dishes with deliciously different flavour profiles. “I love coming up with innovative food with different blends of flavours,” he adds.

A key element in his approach is a focus on locally-sourced ingredients. “There are so many excellent products available across Northern Ireland that can be used to create innovative and tasty products,” he adds.