Top chefs taste for artisan foods in the Mournes

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Chefs from several top local restaurants sampled artisan foods in the Castlewellan and Kilkeel areas of Newry and Mourne on a one-day visit organised by Food NI.

They were taking part in latest initiative to strengthen links between local artisans and chefs. Participating were chefs from OX, Saphyre and Fish City in Belfast, Yellow Door in Portadown, Linenhall in Banbridge and Holywood’s Rayenne House.

Also taking part in the latest trip organised by Food NI’s visionary Chefs’ Steering Group were representatives from culinary training programmes at Ulster University and the South Eastern Regional College in Bangor along with five students from the university’s Belfast campus.

The Food NI programme lined up meetings for the chefs at award-winning producers such as Whitewater Brewing Company in Castlewellan, Northern Ireland’s leading independent brewery, Rooney Fish in Kilkeel and its Millbay Oysters on Carlingford Lough.

They were briefed by Whitewater’s founder and managing director Bernard Sloan about the brewery’s processes and its range of beer which have won international brewing and UK Great Taste Awards.

The state-of-the-art brewery now exports to Japan, Singapore and many European markets. It most recently gained a major award at an international craft brewing competition in Budapest.

Andrew Rooney, commercial director of Rooney Fish, Northern Ireland’s leading exporter of fish and shellfish, and the founder of Millbay Oysters, which farms oysters on farms in Carlingford Lough, showed the chefs how to shuck oysters.

Millbay Oysters was last year named supreme champion in the prestigious Blas na h Eireann, Irish National Food Awards, as well as winning the coveted three-stars in the UK Great Taste Awards.

Millbay, now amongst the biggest oyster farms on the island of Ireland, exports to Europe. Rooney also sells crab meat and claws to China.

The group also enjoyed dinner at the Galley restaurant in Annalong which is owned by Aileen Chambers.

Food NI’s Christine Cousins says: “We are immensely grateful for the support artisan businesses are so readily providing to enable chefs to enjoy their products and see how these are being produced.

Major deal for Portaferry’s Peppup Sauces with TK Maxx UK

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Peppup, the Portaferry-based developer and producer of authentic Italian sauces, has won its biggest UK retail business.

The company, established in 2013 by Luca Montorio, is to supply its unique ketchup and pasta sauces to TK Maxx UK stores throughout the United Kingdom.

The contract, announced by Mr Montorio, a native of Turin but now resident in Northern Ireland, is a major breakthrough for the small business in Great Britain and was signed following the company’s participation with Food NI at the big Scotland Speciality Food Show in Glasgow in January.

The Food NI presentation in Glasgow was assisted by Invest NI. Peppup is also a Food NI member company.

Mr Montorio, commenting on the deal, says: “I was thrilled to hear that the TK Maxx buyer attended the show specifically to talk to me about becoming a national supplier.

“A significant contract followed, representing my single biggest retail order. I’ve begun supplying products to the TK Maxx depot for distribution to the network of stores across the UK. It’s great working with such a progressive retail brand.

“The buyer recognises that my sauces are all about flavour, with roasted peppers the main ingredient, and was impressed by their outstanding taste,” he says.

“Winning this business with such a prestigious store chain as TK Maxx is a marvellous boost for the Peppup range of products and, of course, for the business because it gives us a strong platform in Britain, a market I’ve been targeting for some considerable time. It demonstrates too that taking part in trade shows in Britain really does work for smaller food businesses. The Food NI team is immensely supportive of smaller companies,” he adds.

Peppup supplies a wide range of outlets in Northern Ireland and the Republic, including leading delis, independent retailers and farm shops, with its range of sauces. The company’s products have won UK Great Taste Awards for excellence.

The company also provides catering packs and has won significant business with restaurants in cafes in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

TK Maxx UK is part of the US TJX Group which has an international network of stores. It specialises in brand names, including clothing, housewares and gourmet food, at value prices.

 

 

Copeland Spirits to build new distillery in Donaghadee

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Copeland Spirits, a Food NI member, is o develop a distillery and visitor centre in Donaghadee. The company’s move marks its 125-year commitment to the area, its plans to develop its existing gin range and its ambition to move into new categories including whiskey.

Work on the 6,500 square-foot site has now begun, with the project due to revitalise what was a former community centre and cinema, unoccupied for approximately 20 years.

The £600,000 investment managed by Co. Down-based company, Urban Property Solutions, is expected to last for approximately six months with the official opening anticipated mid-summer 2019.

The new premises will include a visitor centre, events space and fully-operational gin and whiskey distillery supporting the brand to build on its current fruit infused gin portfolio and introduce new brand offerings from later this year.

The distillery will be in keeping with the original site by maintaining as many original features of the historic building as possible. Found on the main floor of the distillery will be a coveted 3.3 metre-high still made by the world-renowned German coppersmith, Arnold Holstein.

Earlier this year, Copeland welcomed their new Head Distiller, William Stafford, who will be responsible for the day to day distilling of gin, as well as future spirits such as the brand’s plans for whiskey.  Stafford’s extensive experience coupled with his passion to create unique blends of premium spirits will see The Copeland Distillery break new boundaries in the spirit industry.

Along with increasing production and operational roles to fulfil its ambitious category developments, the finished project will also create employment in additional sectors such as retail and events.

On completion, Copeland will move its operations from its current Saintfield premises to the Donaghadee site. With such a significant lease on the building, The Copeland Distillery intends to craft its lasting brand legacy from the site and become an integral part of the Donaghadee community. The brand will share the harbour town’s rich history throughout the visitor centre, attracting tourism to the area via the domestic traveller and also US, Chinese, European and Australasian visitors, where Irish craft continues to grow in popularity.

The significant investment not only highlights the brand’s on-going commitment to Northern Ireland but also its exponential growth since it was officially established just over two years ago by now 26-year-old, Gareth Irvine.

Irvine said: “Since our launch in 2016, establishing a distillery and bringing our production closer to the Copeland Islands has been our main ambition. We’ve worked incredibly hard over the last two years to make this a reality and now that planning has been approved and construction is well underway, it’s both rewarding and motivating to see the site being restored to its former glory as the hub of Donaghadee.

“We’re particularly excited to have partnered with Urban Property Solutions, to oversee the build. This outfit is incredibly trusted by the local community and it understands our vision to retain as much of the current building a possible, while also ensuring the Copeland Islands and adjacent lighthouse can be enjoyed.

“As a brand, we are incredibly committed to our heritage and we’re proud that our investment will create new jobs and bring additional tourism to this idyllic part of Northern Ireland.

“Our long-term ambition, strengthened by this announcement, is to create a world-class distillery, with a wide portfolio of spirits that offers the consumer, at home and abroad, a taste of Northern Ireland’s craftsmanship and history in the most authentic way possible. Establishing our permanent home in Donaghadee is the new start of this journey, and with a 125-year lease on the building we envisage being part of Northern Ireland’s future story for quite some time.

“We are incredibly excited to move into whiskey – an industry that is targeting global sales of 12 million cases by 2020 and with growing interest from new markets for us including Russia. The category offers more than enough potential for a new player and our distillery will bring something fresh, energetic and imaginative to it. Our flavoured range of 37.8 percent gins are already a huge success across Northern Ireland, wider UK, Ireland and Europe so we feel it’s the right time to bring something new to the market.

“With so much local history and heritage driving our journey, it’s very exciting to know that our new home, right on the harbour over-looking the Copeland Islands and surrounding waters, will be the starting point for every bottle of Copeland be it whiskey or gin, as it sails its way across the world,” he adds.

 

UTV’S RARE BREED CONTINUES WITH EPISODE 6 ON THURSDAY

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Rare Breed – A Farming Year was once again the most watched programme in Northern Ireland at 8.30pm last night with over 150,000 viewers tuning in, equating to a 27% share of the entire NI viewing audience.

 Rare Breed – A Farming Year continues on Thursday at 8.30pm UTV where our farmers are enjoying the lovely June weather, with some literally making hay while the sun shines!  For others, trees are topped, sheep are sheared, slurry is spread and orchards are opened to the public.

The summer heatwave means that the WILSONS in FERMANAGH can harvest a bumper crop of hay. Even a broken down tractor, and Robbie’s exams don’t stop the work, which is just as well, given that the harsh winter has meant that all the reserves are depleted, so a good crop of silage is needed for the following winter.  Cindy’s 85 year old father also lends a hand to bring in 244 bales of hay!

VICTOR CHESTNUTT is far from home in Bushmills this week, as he attends a dairy event in Hillsborough, finding out about fertilisers and the environmental impact of ammonia. He points how all those attending value finding out about the latest in fertilisation techniques and their environmental impact. He points out how all farmers want to be part of the solution.

The McGILLIGANs in DUNGIVEN are shearing the 600 strong flock, who are happy to get the wool off in the hot weather. Young Cahir is in the thick of it, helping gather up all the wool. He says, “It’s a mixture of hard work and good fun, but I like it!”

CARON McGEOUGH is slurry spreading in LOUGHGALL and happy at it. She loves her red tractor, and talks about her lifelong interest in the machinery.   She chats about the friendly competition between friends saying, “You always get a bit of craic……my tractor’s better than yours….”

Also in ARMAGH, the McKEEVERS have opened their doors to the public as part of the Open Farm Weekend Scheme, giving people from the town an opportunity to see how they operate and where their food comes from. Catherine talks of the value in getting people on site, “We do so many shows and functions, it’s lovely for people to come and see what we’re talking about – it’s fantastic!” she says.

In DUNDONALD, TONY JOHNSTON is shaping trees to ensure they grow to the proper shape for Christmas. The strong winds don’t help their work, but it’s the first chance he and his team have had to be out, as they have just finished a long contracting season.

This episode finishes off with ALEX LYTTLE in NEWTOWNARDS probably the only farmer looking for a bit of rain in the good weather. He’s irrigating the vegetables, using a tanker that was only used once last year, hoping that the vegetable leaves don’t go yellow in the sun. He says, “It’s been good for nearly too long, we’d just like to see a bit of rain.”

UTV’s Mark McFadden narrates the series, sponsored by Dale Farm, Rare Breed – A Farming Year continues on Thursday 21st February 2019 at 8.30pm on UTV.

National Ice Cream Award for Morelli’s and success for Maud’s and The Rinkha

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Northern Ireland’s famous family-owned ice cream brand, Morelli’s, has been named the best in the UK and Ireland at the 2019 Ice Cream Awards that took place in Harrogate, Yorkshire on Wednesday night.

 

The National Champion award is the most prestigious in the country. It is judged by industry peers and is awarded by the Ice Cream Alliance, the official trade body for the UK’s £1 billion ice cream industry.

 

Morelli’s won the coveted title for its Double Cream Vanilla ice cream alongside Gold awards for the same flavour in the Open Class and Best of the Best categories, as well as scooping Gold for its Strawberry ice cream.

 

These wins follow on from Morelli’s success at the 2018 Ice Cream Awards where the team received five accolades including Double Cream Vanilla being crowned the best vanilla ice cream in the UK and Ireland.

 

The awards were collected by Arnaldo Morelli, who heads up the family business from its headquarters on the North Coast, alongside his brother Marino, sisters Daniela and Tania, Production Manager, Eddie Johnston and Research & Development assistant, Christine Dixon.

 

Dedicating the wins to his late father, Guido, Arnaldo said:

“Papa Guido will be smiling with pride tonight. As a family, he taught us everything we know about ice cream and it’s fantastic to gain national recognition for the team’s hard work, passion and dedication to creating the best ice cream in the UK and Ireland. It doesn’t get any better than bringing trophies back to Northern Ireland and we look forward to celebrating with our ever loyal staff, suppliers and customers when we get home.”

Daniela Morelli, whose family has scooped the Nation Ice Cream Championship in Harrogate and won four other awards in the competition. Picture: Richard Doughty Photography

 

ICA President and Head Judge, Henry Nurkowski said:

 “Morelli’s Ice Cream was outstanding. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication by the family to produce a top quality product from the best available ingredients and to do it consistently. The Morelli family thoroughly deserves this award”.

 

The Morelli family has been making ice cream since 1911. They operate a number of family-owned retail outlets across Northern Ireland and several franchised units.

 

Northern Ireland’s Food Stories wins export business in Belgium

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Food Stories, the Belfast-based producer of premium snacks, has won its first business in Belgium!

 

The company, founded by Michael Heaslip in 2014, is now supplying its Cloud Corn popcorn and Pinkfinch fruit crisps directly to the OKay supermarket chain, part of the Colruyt based in Halle, near the German border.

 

The contract followed participation by Food Stories, a Food NI member,  at a major European food trade show.

 

Mr Heaslip, commenting on the new European business, says:

“It’s an exciting opportunity as we are dealing directly with the supermarket. Most smaller companies from the UK and Ireland tend to go through a distributor or an agent but we are trying to develop a few relationships directly with supermarkets in Europe. We met the buyer initially at a trade show in Paris in April 2018 and worked on the project for eight months before the launch of our premium snacks. We were thrilled to receive the order from OKay for our snack products. This is an exceptionally encouraging deal for us. They selected Pinkfinch and Cloud Corn to be included in their new healthy snacking assortment. And we look forward to working closely with management to develop sales with OKay. It also gives us a springboard from which to develop business within the wider Colruyt Group which is investing extensively in its business.”

OKay focuses on a value offering of fresh and quality products. As well as snacks OKay offers bread, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, prepared dishes and other convenience foods. but a broad range of other food products as well. The chain also takes pride in the excellence of its customer services.

 

Food Stories is now among Northern Ireland’s fastest growing smaller snack businesses. It currently exports to France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, Andorra and French Polynesia.

 

Colruyt Group comprises over 29,000 employees and a family of retail companies in three countries..