Lacada Brewery Limited, a co-operative business with almost 290 members, has grown from strength to strength since it first began trading in October 2015. Four years on, it has established itself as one of Northern Ireland’s leading breweries, winning several awards along the way, including Best New Product in the 2017 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, and a coveted 3 Stars in the 2018 Great Taste Awards.

The brewery, situated in the centre of Portrush, currently employs 8 people and distributes its own products. Northern Ireland enjoys the lion’s share, although some has been exported to England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Denmark.

It is seeking to raise £250,000 through new investment to realise an ambitious expansion plan, expected to take up to 3 years to fully complete.

Chairman, Director, and Head Brewer, Laurie Davies outlined the first phase in the expansion, stating “We’re initially seeking to upgrade and improve our equipment. We have reached the stage where sales have outgrown our initial capacity. This investment will see the brewery capable of doubling production, allowing us to confidently enter new markets, and with improved equipment, develop new products”.

According to the share offer document, Phases 2 and 3 would see the brewery potentially moving to its own bespoke premises with potential to add a tap room and restaurant

Laurie went on to say: “When we first set up and had the idea to begin a co-operative, it was because we wanted to bring something to the community. We wanted to leave a legacy. Lacada has become much more than just a Brewery, it’s a brand. It employs local people. We have tourists from all over the world visiting the Brewery. We established the Portrush Beer Festival, which is now in its 4th year and an attraction in its own right, and we would like to increase that tourism offering in the future.”

The share offer is open to everyone. The minimum amount of investment is set at £100 and the maximum at £20,000. Shares within the co-operative cannot be transferred and any potential investor will not be able to withdraw their investment for 3 years. Whilst community shares can’t be withdrawn for any higher than their purchase value, investors could see dividends in the future if the membership so decides.

Rodger Doherty, one of the co-operative’s initial investors and now Director and Company Secretary, said: “Five years ago, I saw an article in my local newspaper about a Brewery seeking investment, and on a whim I thought, ‘Why not?’. Five years later here I am Company Secretary. I never thought I would get any benefits from investing, but Lacada is not just a Brewery. Due to its co-operative nature it is a family.  Over the last 4 years I have learnt new skills, I have met many people both within and outside of the co-operative, people I now class as friends.”

If you want to find out more about investing in Lacada Brewery then visit their website, www.lacadabrewery.com.

Holmes Bakery, which is based in Portadown, has won business with Shoprite, the Isle of Man’s retail leader, for a range of home baked products.

Holmes is supplying 10 lines to Shoprite, which has nine supermarkets specialising in food throughout the island since 1972.

It’s a family business which has won UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann, the Irish National Food and Drink awards for its handcrafted products such as butter shortbread and flakemeal biscuits.

Among the 10 lines supplied to Shoprite are almond slices, caramel fingers and salted caramel pecan, all of which are hand baked at the Northern Ireland company’s modern bakery.

Gillian Castles, sales manager for Holmes Bakery, commenting on the latest business won outside Northern Ireland, says: “The business, our first with Shoprite, is the result of a direct approach to see if they’d be interested in listing our products.

“There was a positive response to us for samples which we were delighted to supply for taste testing. They were impressed by the quality and above all the home baked tastes from the products.

“I was delighted when an order for 10 lines subsequently followed. They’ve been in the stores for a number of weeks and are selling well. With repeat orders following soon after on a regular base.

“We look forward to developing a close relationship with this important and progressive retailer and we have been in discussions for additional seasonal listings for the stores.” adds Mrs Castles.

Holmes has been baking a comprehensive range of biscuits, traditional Northern Irish traybakes and seasonal products since 1937. 

The company, which has been assisted by Invest NI to develop the business and grow sales outside Northern Ireland, already supplies leading retailers including Spar, Asda, Ocado, Applegreen, various independent retailers and delis in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland over many years.

 Mourne Dew Distillery has won a gold medal in the Irish Gin Awards for its Rostrevor Ruby Gin.

Based in Warrenpoint in Co Down, Mourne Dew Distillery launched its first gins in 2018. Rostrevor Ruby Red Gin (ABV 40%) is infused with strawberry, raspberry, mint and rose petals. It has a vibrant red colour and floral notes.

Mourne Dew’s Rostrevor Ruby won gold in the Speciality Gin of the Year category. Symphonia Number 2 Apple Gin from Benburb also won bronze in this section.

Master distiller Donal Farrell says: “We’re delighted that the judges know what our loyal customers already know: that our locally made Mourne gins are up there with the best in the world!”

Inspired by their surroundings, the Mourne Dew gins have captured the very essence of the Mournes; employing the help of an ethnobotanist, who scours the mountains, foraging local edible botanicals. This has allowed them to build up a library of very special tinctures using a low temperature, vacuum distillation process to gently extract the flavours from the delicate flora.

The distillery hand produces everything on site; from distillation and bottling to labelling and packaging. The label artwork is designed by the well-known, Irish artist Kathyrn Callaghan. The logo takes its inspiration from Bronze Age Gold Lunulas (neck collars) which are believed to have been made using gold from the Mourne Mountains. 

The Irish Gin Awards showcase and celebrate the quality and flavours of the island’s distilleries.

Leading catering and facilities management company, Mount Charles has won an £9m catering and hospitality services contract with Griffith College, Dublin.

The deal, worth £1.25m per annum, will see the family run firm deliver diverse foodservices at Griffith College Dublin’s main seven acre campus, in the capital.

Mount Charles will provide catering, food retail and hospitality services to 5,000 students and staff situated in their main Dublin campus during the academic year, and also a significant summer school business too.

Established over 45 years ago, Griffith College offers over 170 programmes which are internationally recognised at both postgraduate and undergraduate degree level, complemented by a wide range of professional, short term and corporate training educational solutions.

Mount Charles has invested £180,000 in refurbishing and transforming the dining facilities across the college’s main estate. Internationally inspired menus, innovative retail brands and casual dining offers have transformed the catering provision, which will be managed by a dedicated culinary team.

Trevor Annon, Chairman and Founder of Mount Charles said the new contract win was testament to the company’s expertise in providing “healthy, fresh and affordable food in modern facilities with a professional service, that meets the diverse needs of both the student body and university staff.

“Our success has been down to the relationship building strategy and the market research our Dublin based senior management team has carried out on student and staff preferences, to deliver the exciting, locally sourced, value for money food offers that they want,” he said.

Ronan Fenelon, Director of Griffith College Dublin said: “We are delighted to have awarded our campus wide catering contract to Mount Charles – our feedback from our clients has been excellent.”

This latest contract win comes a year after Mount Charles announced £8m in major contracts wins with the Public Appointments Service, Ordinance Survey Ireland, Abbey Theatre, National Aquatic Centre and Custom House in Dublin.

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.