Northern Ireland’s Mash Direct, a UK leader in convenient potato and vegetable products, has launched an innovative house-style salad range with a selection of crunchy and deliciously fresh salads.

After 15 years of pioneering healthy and convenientvegetable side dishes such as mashed potato, champ and potato croquettes, the family owned farm business in Comber has been carefully crafting the perfect summer time salads which have exclusively launched in Northern Ireland.

Mash Direct sales director Lance Hamilton say:“Creating this new range has been a very exciting journey for everyone at the farm. We wanted to explore a gap in the market and create a premium salad range with a fresh and bold mix of vegetables with extra crunch.

“Our salad range offers consumers a perfect accompaniment for the BBQ season. We are very excited about this launch and can’t wait for customers to try them.

“Now that the summer season is upon us, customers are looking for more freshly prepared salads to complement summer time meals,” he adds.

The Home Style Salad range consists of three new products including Home Style Potato Salad, Crispy Apple and Kohlrabi Salad and Home Style Coleslaw.  

Mr Hamilton continues: “With a desirable mix of minimal preparation and maximum flavours they are the perfect complementary accompaniment for the summer BBQ platter.”

The Hamilton family have farming expertise stretching over six generations and is passionate about growing the highest quality heritage varieties of vegetables for their gluten free product portfolio.

The drive throughout the company has led to exceptional service levels and innovation which sets it apart in the marketplace. The company now has 21 Great Taste Awards and is the UK Brand leader of the vegetable accompaniments sector within the food manufacturing industry.

Mash Direct’s salad range are retailed at £1.50 and are stocked in Sainsbury’s, Spar, Eurospar, Vivo, Supervalu, Centra, Mace, Nisa and Independents throughout Northern Ireland.  

 

Hillsborough’s The Parson’s Nose, a Food NI member, is extending its award-winning menu with the addition of afternoon tea just in time for summer.

 The decision by the gastro-pub, owned by award-winning Balloo Inns Group, to introduce an afternoon tea follows the recent re-opening of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens after a five-year-long and £24 millionrefurbishment.

 Ronan Sweeney, managing director of Balloo Inns, says: “We are already seeing more visitors to Hillsborough since the re-opening of the castle in April and what could be more fitting after a tour around Northern Ireland’s official royal residence than an afternoon spent enjoying an elegant tea in historic, romantic Hillsborough. Indeed, rumour has it that King Edward and Mrs Simpson would row across the private lake from the castle to our pub for secret afternoon trysts!”

 Available from Thursday through to Saturday from 12-4pm, The Parson’s Nose Afternoon Tea menu includes a selection of gastro-pub sandwiches, freshly baked scones and exquisite pastries.

 Mr Sweeney adds; “As a team, we are really looking forward to sharing the Afternoon Tea experience with customers. Our incredible chefs have been working hard on the menu, as we wanted to offer something elegant but with a gastro-pub twist. With everything served on vintage china and the beautiful view overlooking our beer garden and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens lake, I think we have created a very unique setting for a special afternoon.”

 There will be a superb savoury selection for diners to enjoy, including the Parson’s Chicken & Bacon Club with Parmesan Crust, Hot Smoked Salmon Crumpet with Horseradish Crème Fraiche, and a Goats Cheese & Peperonata Open Sandwich.

 As well as a selection of freshly baked buttermilk scones, guests will also be treated to an assortment of delicate pastries including Chocolate and Passionfruit Delice, Pâte a Choux with Orange Chocolate Cream, mini Lemon Meringue Tarts and a Pistachio & Chocolate or Raspberry & Coconut macaroon selection.

 The Parson’s Nose is part of the Balloo Inns Group, which also comprises Balloo House in Killinchy and Poacher’s Pocket, Lisbane.

 

Tourism Events Scheme 2019

Taste the Island Tourism Events Scheme 2019 Launching Friday 14th June 2019.

Tourism NI have developed a scheme for festivals and events to support the Taste the Island celebrations in 2019.

The scheme has been designed to identify proposals that celebrate Northern Ireland’s food and drink whilst encouraging regional and seasonal spread of visitors.  Northern Ireland has an existing calendar of food and drink events that are relevant to Taste the Island and this scheme will examine the opportunities for new or elevated events that will motivate visitors to travel during the Taste the Island timescale, 1st September- 30th November 2019.

All applicants wishing to apply are invited to attend an information session to hear about how new and existing events can make food and drink the star of the show across September, October and November 2019.

The information session for the Taste the Island Events Scheme will take place at Tourism NI.

Date:                     Friday 14 June 2019
Time:                     10.00am
Location:              Tourism NI Offices, Linum Chambers, Belfast BT2 7ES

To confirm your attendance please contact Tourism NI Events Team on eventsunit@tourismni.com or call 028 9044 1656.

If you are unable to attend and require further information, please contact the team to discuss.