Prep House, the leading Northern Ireland producer of sauces,mayonnaise, dressings and marinades, has created a new product for one of Ireland’s top retail groups.

Based in Crossgar, Co Down, Prep House, a family enterprise with extensive and developing business in both Northern Ireland the Republic, was commissioned by Musgrave NI to create a new sour cream and chive dip.

The commission is the latest for Prep House’s new product development from a leading retailer, according to Prep House’s operations manager Barry Fitzpatrick.

“The creation of innovative products is among the most important services that we offer existing and potential customers in retail and foodservice,” he continues. “Another important element in our NPD approach is a commitment to source as many ingredients as possible from other food manufacturers in Northern Ireland.

“There are many superb products from smaller companies here which we are keen to support because of the provenance they guarantee. In addition, sourcing locally means lower food miles which is in line with our focus on sustainability.

“The new sour cream and chive dip is a good example of this approach. We were able to source set sour cream from Farmview Dairies, a producer of milk, cream and cheese,nearby in Castlereagh. And we linked up with the award winning Clandeboye Estate for quality natural Greek style yoghurt for the sauce. It’s a very rich flavour which has gone down well with the client,” adds Mr Fitzpatrick.

The new sour cream and chive dip is available in 170g tubs.

Prep House has enjoyed exceptional growth to 23 people, including 18 in the modern factory, from the three on the payroll in 2015

Sales have more than tripled since then. In addition, the company has invested almost £1 million in creating a state-of-the-art factory and new product kitchen. Recent customers also include Aldi, a leading German retailer in the Republic.

The family business has received support from business development agency Invest NI to help grow the business in the Republic and develop innovative products through a new development kitchen.

Awards for taste and quality for Prep House have also followed from the UK Quality Food and Drink, Great Taste Awards and the Blas na hEireann Irish National Awards. Judges have acclaimed original sauces and dressings including Irish Seaweed and Sweet and Chill.

Distiller of the award-winning Shortcross Gin has released a first pink gin, the first of its kind to be distilled in Northern Ireland. With no added sugar or additives, it’s sure to blossom across Ireland and the UK this summer as it rolls out among popular retailers and bars. Shortcross is a Food NI member company

Rademon Estate Distillery celebrates another 5th anniversary milestone by unveiling the latest edition, Rosie’s Garden Gin, inspired by Rosie, the mother, of co-founder Fiona Boyd Armstrong. Showcasing an array of botanicals and fruits including strawberries, raspberries alongside lavender and camomile, the pink gin stays true to the heritage of Shortcross Gin, remaining juniper led.  

Head Distiller, David Boyd-Armstrong says: “We chose to vapour infuse the lavender and camomile on our new copper pot still so that we could draw out the delicate flavours and aromas of these botanicals without them competing or being hidden by the other botanicals in the gin.”

Taking inspiration from their home, Rademon Estate, Managing Director, Fiona Boyd Armstrong made clear that:“Provenance is hugely important to us, for Rosie’s Garden Gin we sought inspiration from my mum, Rosie, always tending to the fruits and herbs in her 18th century walled garden.  We started back in summer 2017, picking fruits and botanicals from the walled gardens to see how best we could craft a gin that links to the heritage of our home.”

The gin is unique to the marketplace as the only pink gin distilled on the island of Ireland that has no added sugar. Mr Boyd Armstrong adds: “Rather than follow the path of the sugar rich, low flavour products occupying the fruit and flavoured category, we wanted to create a gin that would lend itself to be enjoyed as a gin and tonic, or crafted into the perfect cocktail.”

The perfect summer sipping gin does exist! And it’s already flying off the shelves in Tesco, SuperValu and selected off-licenses in Belfast. Rosie’s Garden Gin is perfectly served as a classic Gin & Tonic and as a refreshing cocktail. The distillery team recommends the following serves…

Method: Fill glass with ice, add Rosie’s Garden Gin, mix with Tonic, to garnish add a sprig of Mint and/or Strawberry.

Team Shortcross recommend a Rosie’s Road for their signature cocktail serve:

Ingredients:

• 35ml Rosie’s Garden Gin  

Northern Ireland’s leading craft distillery and the producer of the multi award-winning Shortcross Gin, Rademon Estate Distillery has made a big impact in the burgeoning craft spirits market since its launch.  Founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong, Rademon Estate Distillery is located at the couple’s historic family estate just outside Crossgar, Co. Down.

You can visit the inspiration behind Shortcross Gin by attending a tour and soaking up the views (and gin) of Rademon Estate Distillery with a Shortcross experience. Meet the founders, Fiona and David, enjoy a tutored neat tasting, immersive Gin & Tonic Masterclass and a guided tour through the Still House with Head Distiller, David. Not forgetting a pre or post tour cocktail from the Shortcross bar.

Rademon Estate Distillery is Northern Ireland’s leading craft distillery and the producer of the multi award-winning Shortcross Gin. Shortcross Gin was the first gin to be distilled in Northern Ireland

Founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong, Rademon Estate Distillery is located at the couple’s historic family estate just outside Crossgar, Co. Down.

Rademon Estate Distillery’s multi award winning Shortcross Gin has won several high profile awards since its launch in 2012. The distillery has won over 30 high-profile industry awards, with the most recent highlight being a Silver medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This competition is considered to be the pinnacle of awards globally for the drinks industry.

Rosie’s Garden Gin is available to purchase from the distillery shop and all leading bars, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland and from independent off licences, Tesco priced at RRP = £25.00 (50CL)

Chef Will Brown (Schoolhouse, Comber, Co Down) and Indie Füde (Comber, Co Down) have been asked by The Royal Academy of Arts in London’s Piccadilly to cater for their Summer End of Summer Party on July 20th. Will Brown follows on from Tom Kerridge who was last year’s chef at the Academy’s “Summer Lates” party.

Wëëker is a high-end street food concept by renowned Northern Ireland chef and restaurateur, Will Brown (Indulge x Will Brown). It features ingredients from his home in Northern Ireland (or “Norn Iron” as the locals say), partnering with Irish food experts and neighbours Indie Füde (Independent Food Co.), to source and deliver unique and outstanding food and drink that represents their luscious green pastures, bountiful coast lines and world class producers.

The menus for the Summer Party event in London will feature all Northern Ireland food and drink producers including Broughgammon Farm, East Coast Seafood, Frazer’s Farm, Clandeboye Yogurt, Lecale Harvest, Ispini Charcuterie, Ballylisk of Armagh, Mike’s Fancy Cheese, Dart Mountain Cheese, Peninsula Kelp Co, Ken’s Raw Jersey Milk, Cavanagh Eggs, French Village, Bullhouse Brewery, Lacada Brewery, Symphonia Gin, Shortcross Gin, Belfast Artisan Gin Co, Boatyard Spirits, Copeland Gin and Kilmegan Cider.

The team are also working with Northern Ireland businesses including Steve’s Pallet Creations, Greenman Packaging , Artist Andy Laird, Motis Logistics, Comber Farmers Mkt, Food NI, Oranga Design, Minuteman Press and Tribal Clothing

They will bring across an oyster bar from Lecale Harvest, a Gelato Bar from Licked and a drinks bar from Neill Wine. There will be a fully compostable dining option, supported by Green Man in Bangor.

The menu will include Six Native Irish Lecale Oysters served on ice with red shallot vinegar, slice of lemon and Yardsman Wheaten Bread,  Basil-injected Burrata, accompanied by summer confit Tomato and grilled Sourdough Toast , Strangford Crab Roll with pickled Cucumber, crispy Dulse Chips and Trout Caviar , Broughgammon Cabrito Kofta’s with Beetroot Slaw, Sumac spiced Yogurt, and Pita Bread, Slow-Rise Doughnuts with Irish Strawberry and foraged Meadowsweet and a Trio of Irish cheeses served with Gin Chutney and Fennel Crisp Breads with the extra option of an Irish Charcuterie Platter.

 

The event is supported by Invest NI and the charity partner is Mencap NI .

This coincides with Northern Ireland recently being awarded the title of the World’s Best Food Destination 2019, and the upcoming all-Ireland Taste the Island Campaign.

“Wëéker are really honoured to partner with Mencap NI, we are all about local and Mencap NI is a local charity that that is close to the hearts of both our lead chef, Will Brown, and our local food purveyors, Indie Fude. We are so excited by this prestigious event and believe we can bring a sense of pride, for not only the produce of Northern Ireland, but to all the people of Northern Ireland also” said Johnny McDowell from Indie Fude.

“We will be joined by the Mencap NI team on night in London to help raise much needed funds for Northern Ireland people with learning disabilities through collections in the Royal Academy of Arts on the evening, and also through our live artist, Andy Laird, who will donate from his takings on the night to Mencap NI. It’s going to be weeker!”  

Tasty Foods, a leading producer of convenience foods, including pies and sauces, for major retailers in the UK and Republic of Ireland, has launched a range of healthy, low calorie ready meals under Clean & Tasty, a new and eye-catching brand.

The Clean & Tasty meals have been created from original recipes developed by the Belfast-based family business, according to commercial director Conor Daykin.

Mr Daykin continues: “The new range consists of five ready meals perfect for those seeking healthy and nutritious lunches or dinners. The key features of the new range in attractive and specially designed packaging are that all meals are low in fat and low in calories while being high in protein.

“All the meals are produced in our certified Grade* BRC factory in Belfast from the highest quality ingredients all sourced from our long established network of Northern Ireland suppliers. This means we have total control over all aspects of production from recipes from our own and highly experienced new product development kitchen team,” adds Mr Daykin.

The innovative range is: Chicken Tomato and Red Pepper Pasta; Turkey Chilli and Rice; Beef Fajita Pasta; Curried Chicken Fried Rice; and Chicken Curry and Rice.

“The new Clean and Tasty range, already on sale and doing good business at Musgrave stores, Tesco Northern Ireland and Spar Northern Ireland, is based on our experience of doing business with and supplying major supermarket chains over the past 30 years.

“Supermarket buyers and shoppers both recognise that Tasty Foods is totally committed to quality products which are outstandingly tasty and nutritious,” adds Mr Daykin. “Our aim with the launch of the new Clean and Tasty range is to expand sales to leading retailers in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland,” he adds.

Tasty Foods has received assistance from business development agency Invest NI towards to growth of the business especially the new product kitchen and the exciting new range.

Based on strong family values of consistent quality, taste and value, Tasty Foods also supplies other food products to major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, ASDA and Musgrave.

Long Meadow, Northern Ireland’s award winning cider processor, has won business from Ballymaloe Foods in the Republic for its apple cider vinegar.

Based on a successful apple farm near Portadown in Co Armagh, Long Meadow has supplied its cider vinegar for Ballymaloe Food’s popular balsamic vinaigrette products.

Established in 1990 by Yasmin Hyde, Ballymaloe Foods has developed into Ireland’s most successful and respected artisan producer of sauces, relishes, chutneys and other innovative foods. The business, which is based at Little Island, near Cork, has close links with the internationally renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School.

Catherine McKeever, commercial director of family owned and managed Long Meadow, says: “We were thrilled when Ballymaloe approached us to supply our apple cider vinegar for use in one of its successful products. It’s a marvellous boost to be working with such a prestigious artisan manufacturer in the Republic, a target market in which we’ve been seeking to develop business.

“The contract for cider vinegar is particularly timely as it came following our decision to invest in a new processing plant which has increased production capacity of a product which is being regarded as providing health benefits,” she adds.

Pat and Catherine McKeever founded the cider business in 2013 with son Peter in a farm diversification project to develop a range of cider and juices from apples grown on the family farm at the heart of Northern Ireland’s famed ‘Orchard Country’.

The McKeever family has been growing apples for more than 50 years on the Armagh farm and had been encouraged to branch out by the feedback from cider enthusiasts across Northern Ireland and from a host of awards including UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann – Irish National Food Awards. The company also won the Innovation Award for the apple cider vinegar at the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Councils business awards.

Long Meadow Cider, the multi-award-winning producer of ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar in Northern Ireland, has achieved SALSA – Safe and Local Accreditation as step towards greater sales in supermarkets and other major retailers. The company is a Food NI member.

The family-owned and managed business, located at the heart of Northern Ireland’s ‘Orchard Country in Loughgall, is implementing a major growth strategy to accelerate sales of its ciders, juices and apple cider vinegar in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield.

SALSA is a food-safety standard written by experienced food safety experts to reflect both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of best practice & of professional food buyers.

SALSA certification is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to an auditor that they are able to produce safe and legal food and are committed to continually meeting the requirements of the SALSA standard.

Managing director Pat McKeever, who started the business with son Peter and other family members in 2013, commenting on the SALSA accreditation, says: “SALSA is a tremendous endorsement of the quality and safety of our business, processes and products.

“Indeed, we’ve scrutinised all aspects of our business and made a number of changes to increase efficiency and productivity. It’s also an important measure of the premium quality of our ciders and juices.

“SALSA accreditation positions us to meet the food safety and transparency requirements of multiple retailers that we’ve been talking to about listing our products,” he adds.

The company, based on family-owned orchards, has won a series of major awards for its products including UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann Irish National Food Awards.

“In addition, Long Meadow gained a major marketing award in a competition for Northern Ireland’s smaller food companies organised by the George Best Belfast City Airport.

Long Meadow has a heritage in apple growing stretching back three generations in county Armagh and has already won business from delis, independent retailers, restaurants and bars in Northern Ireland and in the Republic.

Long Meadow ciders and juices are processed exclusively using pure pressed apple juice. The company does not use concentrates, chemicals, or added water. Small batches are produced using a unique and slow fermentation process for greater flavour. The popular apple cider vinegar is also natural, it is unfiltered, unpasteurised, free from sugars and additives and contains “The Mother”.

Food Stories, the Belfast-based producer of popcorn and fruit crisps, has won business from Spain’s HiperDino supermarket chain. HiperDino is now selling the company’s Cloud Corn branded popcorn to shoppers at its supermarkets and hypermarkets on the Canary Islands and through its on-line shop.

HiperDino has listed two Cloud Corn popcorn varieties – Sweet and Salty and Sweet Chilli BBQ – from Food Stories, now a leading Northern Ireland exporter of snacks. The popcorn is gluten-free, high in fibre, suitable for vegans and made only from the finest natural ingredients.

Founded in 1996, HiperDino is part of Dinosol Supermercados, the biggest retailer on the holiday islands, which was established in 1978 as a family business by brothers Jose Abraham and Andres Dominguez. The group also operates a chain of smaller shops and is collaborating with BP on a series of forecourt stores.

Michael Heaslip, founder and managing director of Food Stories, commenting on the new business in the Canaries, says: “I was thrilled when the HiperDino buying team decided to list our popcorn following extensive taste testing.

“They loved the flavours, lightness and quality of our popcorn and will now be carrying in their hypermarkets in what is another important export success for the company”.

“It is a marketplace that is often forgotten and attracts around 10 million visitors, mostly from the UK, Ireland and other parts of Europe, annually in addition to a population of over two million. The islands are extremely popular as a year-round holiday destination for visitors from the UK and Ireland,” he adds.

Mr Heaslip says the business with HiperDino was brokered by their distribution partner in Spain but the role Invest Northern Ireland played was invaluable. “Invest NI’s guidance and practical support in pinpointing and lining up potential distribution contacts and knowledge of the market have helped us make this first step into the Spanish market. This support facilitated the discussions which led to what is our first
contract in the Canaries,” he continues.

Mr Heaslip established Food Stories, which currently employs four people in Belfast, in 2014. The popcorn range was launched by the company in March 2018 using original recipes created by Mr Heaslip, who was previously involved in artisan food distribution.

Cloud Corn was the first branded product under the Food Stories identity and is available in three varieties – Sweet and Salty, Sweet Chilli BBQ and Salted. The company has also developed a range of fruit and veggie crisps, a variety of which was listed for the prestigious innovation award at the recent SIAL food show in Paris.

Mr Heaslip formed Cloud Corn to develop opportunities he had developed in international markets from the significant growth in popcorn. As part of his focus on exports, Mr Heaslip decided that all the nutritional information on the packaging should be in six languages – English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch and Italian. The latest export deal follows the company’s success in supplying its snacks to Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden.