Erne Larder Preserves, the Enniskillen-based producer of artisan ketchup, jams and sauces, has won significant business with McAtamney’s of Garvagh, one of Northern Ireland’s most successful butchery and deli businesses.

Erne Larder, founded and owned by chef Declan O’Donoghue, is supplying a range A Food NI member of handmade products he has developed using her own recipes, to the 12 shops in McAtamney’s network in counties Antrim and Londonderry.

The products listed by McAtamney’s are Irish Bacon Ketchup, Irish Bacon Jam and Irish Whiskey Jam. The ketchup and jam feature Irish Black Bacon developed and produced by Pat O’Doherty of O’Doherty’s Fine Meats, also based in Enniskillen and a winner of several major awards for outstanding taste.

Declan, commenting on the latest contract for his ketchup and preserves, says: “I am thrilled to be listed in McAtamney stores because it’s a marvellous boost for my small business. It gives great visibility and the opportunity to reach a very wide base of shoppers with my original products.” He has also supplied Lidl stores in Ireland.

He is also now supplying products to the impressive The Dairy café, butchery and farm shop at Gleno, near Larne

Father of two, Declan (36) decided to step back from the often gruelling work as a head chef to set up his own food enterprise, Erne Larder Preserves in 2016. The ketchup and bacon jam are products unique to Erne Larder.

“My objective was to produce unique products using new generation and traditional flavours for sale initially at markets in Fermanagh and further afield,” he explains.  He launched the initial range of products at markets across the country.

Feedback from shoppers at the markets was positive and encouraged him to press ahead with his plans.

As well as the bacon jam and ketchup, Declan has also created other jams and sauces including a lemon curd based on a recipe from his grandmother and a fiery jalapeño sauce.

McAtamney’s has a long and successful history in the butchery business dating back to 1933 when the first shop was established in Kilrea.

A family run business, McAtamney’s is headquartered in Garvagh and has grown one shop at a time taking pride in growing the business at a pace that never compromises on quality or service. There are now 12 shops across Northern Ireland employing over 100 fully trained master butchers.

Two gins inspired by the Mountains of Mourne have been selected as finalists in The Gin Guide Awards.

Both launched in September, 2018, they are made in the Mourne Dew Distillery in Warrenpoint, Co Down. They are Kilbroney Premium Irish Gin (ABV 42%) which is a finalist in both the London Dry Gin and the Contemporary Gin categories

And Rostrevor Ruby Red Gin (ABV 40%)is infused with strawberry, raspberry, mint and rose petals has a vibrant red colour and floral notes. It has reached the final in the Flavoured Gin category in the prestigious awards. Mourne Dew is a Food NI member company.

Master distiller Donal Farrell says: “To be shortlisted as a finalist in one of The Gin Guide worldwide award categories is an honour, but to make it into three different categories is just amazing!

“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!”

Mourne Dew drinks are distributed by GDK Drinks in Warrenpoint, Co. Down.

Inspired by their natural surroundings, the 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.

Portrush-based Irish Black Butter has been listed by two of Ireland’s most prestigious food retailers. The company, founded and managed by Alastair Bell, is now supplying its unique sweet/savoury spread to high-end Avoca and Fallon & Byrne stores in the Republic.

Avoca has around 10 stores on the island of Ireland, including a hugely popular outlet in Belfast city centre, while Fallon and Byrne has a network in greater Dublin. Both retailers also operate successful gourmet restaurants.

The latest business in the Republic follows an earlier deal with Sheridans, the leading Irish cheesemongers which is distributing Irish Black Butter, a Food NI member, there.

The listings strengthen the market position in the Republic of Irish Black Butter, developed by entrepreneur Alastair Bell, and launched in 2018 under the ‘New Taste of Ireland’ identity.

The spread features ingredients such as Armagh bramley apples, treacle, brandy and spices and has been created with the advice and guidance of top chef Paul Clarke, managing director of multi-award winning En Place Foods, also based in Northern Ireland.

The product, now also selling in Britain and attracting strong interest from niche food stores in the US and Germany, has proved an outstanding success with delis and farm shops throughout Northern Ireland. It’s now available in over 100 stores and  also at Belfast International Airport and Dublin International Airport.

The company, a Food NI member company, has been actively involved in promoting the spread at major trade shows in Britain and the Republic during the past six months.

Mr Bell, commenting on the latest listings, says:

“The new business with Avoca and Fallon & Byrne is an immensely exciting development for Irish Black Butter in the Republic, a target market for us. Both businesses operate gourmet food halls especially in the Dublin area. The business provides access for us to an affluent customer base interested in different and richly flavoured products. I am grateful for Sheridan’s continuing support in the Republic. It’s a tremendous endorsement of our innovative product by two respected food retailers and of our overall reputation as a producer of a quality and outstandingly tasty product.”

Melting Pot Fudge in Belfast, a UK leader in handmade fudge, has extended its popular vegan range in response to a growing market opportunity.

The family-owned and managed business has added honeycomb and coconut flavours to its existing and successful five-strong vegan range.

Owned by entrepreneurial sisters Cathy Johnson, Dorothy Bittles and Jenny Lowry. Melting Pot specialises in award-winning handmade fudge. The trio started the small business as Blackthorn Foods in 2004.  The company is a Food NI member.

Melting Pot is the brand chosen for the hand crafted fudges which have won UK Great Taste Awards and are distributed throughout Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield.

The company produces high quality handmade fudge products in open pots in the traditional way to an old family recipe. The fudges are produced in small batches, hand beaten, hand cut and then wrapped.

Jenny Lowry says the new honeycomb and coconut flavours reflect the growing market demand for vegan foods and the popularity of the existing range that includes traditional butter, classic chocolate, cranberry and white chocolate and Madagascar vanilla. “The new honeycomb and coconut flavoured fudges have been created in response to market research and feedback from customers,” adds Jenny.

The range of vegan, soya free and gluten free fudges was introduced by the company in 2015.

Melting Pot also manufactures an extensive range of gluten free flavours. All  flavours are natural. For example  a real Jamaican rum  is used in its  rum & raisin fudge and not a flavouring.

The fudges are available in a selection of pack sizes, ideal for the gift market, trade, wholesale, retail and corporate customers. In addition, the company makes a range of own label fudge and bespoke flavours for many recognised customers.