When it comes to food, Derry-Londonderry has quickly cemented itself as the
culinary capital of Northern Ireland. With its rich history, stunning natural landscapes,
and a food scene brimming with passion and creativity, this city in the North West
offers an authentic taste of the region like no other.
If you’re planning a visit, February is the perfect time to explore Derry during Love
LegenDerry Food Month, funded locally by Department of Agriculture and Rural
Affairs Regional Food Programme This annual celebration brings together the best
of the region’s culinary talents with a jam-packed programme of events. From tasting
menus to cheese tours and oyster festivals, the month-long celebration showcases
the city’s unique flavours and the passionate people behind them.
As the meeting point of the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way,
Derry serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the wider region’s culinary
offerings. Just a short drive from the city, you’ll find everything from traditional Irish
farmhouse cooking to innovative fine dining experiences.
Pack your appetite! Here’s why Derry is the ultimate destination for food lovers.

1. A Culinary Heritage Steeped in Tradition
   Derry’s food story is deeply intertwined with its history. As one of Europe’s oldest
   continuously inhabited settlements, the city boasts a culinary heritage that reflects its
   agricultural roots and coastal bounty. Local producers and chefs take pride in
   showcasing these traditions while adding their own modern twist, making the dining
   experience here both nostalgic and innovative.
2. The Home of Lough Foyle Native Oysters
   Seafood lovers, rejoice! Derry is home to the world-renowned Lough Foyle Native
   Oysters, which have been harvested in the region for centuries. These oysters are
   prized for their unique flavour, shaped by the waters of the Foyle Estuary. Whether
   you try them fresh at an Oyster & Stout Festival or paired with a craft beer at the
   Walled City Brewery, this delicacy is an absolute must-try.
3. LegenDerry Food Network: A Community of Excellence
   Derry’s vibrant food scene is powered by the LegenDerry Food Network, a
   collective of passionate chefs, producers, and restaurateurs who are redefining the
   region’s food identity. This collaboration ensures that visitors can experience the very
   best of locally sourced produce, whether at Michelin-recognised restaurants, cosy
   cafés, or bustling food events and markets.
4. Unique Food Experiences
   Derry offers food lovers a range of immersive and unforgettable experiences:
    Derry By Fork Food Tour: Explore the city’s culinary history while sampling
   iconic dishes and modern twists crafted by the city’s finest chefs.
    Dart Mountain Cheese Experience: Delve into the art of cheesemaking in
   the heart of the Sperrin Mountains with tastings of award-winning cheeses.

 Seafood Supper Club: Dine aboard ‘Big Decky,’ bus overlooking Lough
Foyle, with a menu celebrating the region’s freshest catch.
These events not only showcase Derry’s exceptional produce but also immerse
visitors in its culture and stories.

5. Innovative Craft Beer and Spirits Scene
   Derry’s drinks scene is as innovative as its food. Local breweries, like the Walled City
   Brewery, are crafting unique beers such as the city’s iconic Foyster Stout. For those
   seeking something stronger, the recent launch of Snifter, a brandy ball-flavoured
   poitín, highlights the city’s adventurous spirit in distilling.
6. Local Produce That Tells a Story
   From the verdant pastures of the Sperrins to the fertile waters of the Foyle Estuary,
   Derry’s natural larder is second to none. Artisan producers such as Dart Mountain
   Cheese, Tamnagh Foods, and Foyle Bia Mara offer products with provenance,
   quality, and an unmistakable taste of place.
   Why Visit Now?
   Derry is more than just a food destination—it’s a community of passionate people
   bringing the North West’s flavours to life. With its mix of tradition and innovation, rich
   history, and breathtaking landscapes, the city offers a truly unique gastronomic
   experience. Whether you’re savouring oysters by the Foyle or embarking on a
   guided food tour through its historic streets, Derry will leave you craving more.
   For full event listings, visit www.legenderryfood.com/events.
   Or explore Visit Derry for things to see and do, accommodation. Plus, for places to
   eat and drink ww.visitderry.com.

Now in its third year, Love LegenDerry Food Month* has firmly established Derry-
Londonderry as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts. This February, the
historic city and its surrounding district will once again celebrate its exceptional
culinary heritage with a month-long programme of unique events and experiences.
From artisan cheese tours to seafood festivals and innovative dining experiences,
the vibrant offerings aim to entice food lovers from across the UK, Ireland, and
beyond to explore the North West’s thriving food scene.
With a backdrop of stunning landscapes, a rich heritage, and passionate producers,
this food destination offers an immersive experience that celebrates authentic local
flavours and the artistry of its chefs and artisans.

Taste the Flavors of the North West
The highlight of the month is a Taste of LegenDerry Media Event on 20th February,
where food critics, writers, and influencers are invited to indulge in a six-course
tasting menu created by the city’s top chefs. Each dish will be paired with locally
crafted drinks, and guests will have the opportunity to meet the artisans behind the
region’s standout products. A special unveiling will take place at the event with the
launch of Walled City Brewery’s latest innovation, “Snifter” brandy ball poitín,
promising a unique taste of Derry’s inventive spirit.

Derry By Fork: A Culinary Heritage Tour
Food enthusiasts can join the brand-new Derry By Fork food tour, a guided journey
through the city’s historic streets, sampling iconic dishes crafted by its most
celebrated chefs. Stories of the city’s culinary past and present will add depth to this
immersive gastronomic experience, perfect for locals and visitors alike.

A Celebration of Seafood and Stout
Seafood lovers will find paradise at the Oyster & Stout Festival on 7th–8th
February. Hosted by the Walled City Brewery, this unique event pairs Lough Foyle
Native Oysters with a diverse selection of local stouts, including Tabasco and
Chocolate Chipotle varieties. The festival will also feature live music and fresh
seafood dishes, creating an atmosphere brimming with flavour and fun.
For those seeking an exclusive dining experience, the Seafood Supper
Club aboard ‘Big Decky’ offers breathtaking views of Lough Foyle while savouring a five-course menu spotlighting the freshest local catch, curated by Pyke & Pommes and Moores on the Quay.

Artisan Experiences in the Sperrins
Travel into the heart of the Sperrin Mountains for an intimate look at Derry’s award-
winning artisan cheese scene. The Dart Mountain Cheese Experience offers tours
through the cheese maturing rooms, a lesson in the craft and science of
cheesemaking, and tastings of handmade cow and goat cheeses, perfectly paired
with local chutneys.

Romantic Dining and Unique Experiences
February’s month of romance provides the perfect backdrop for exclusive dining
events, including Wild & Fired Dining Brook Hall Estate. Couples will enjoy a
curated menu featuring wood-fired grilled steaks and other locally sourced
delicacies, paired with fine wines and served in the enchanting setting of the estate’s
historic walled garden.

A Region Poised for Culinary Greatness
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr,
hailed the initiative: “Love LegenDerry Food Month celebrates the innovation and
passion of our chefs and producers, while inviting visitors to discover the incredible
food heritage of the North West. From artisan cheese and seafood festivals to
unique tours and dining experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy. I
encourage food lovers everywhere to join us in February and experience the best of
what our city and district has to offer.”

Plan Your Food Adventure
For full event listings, visit www.legenderryfood.com/events.
Or explore Visit Derry for things to see and do, accommodation. Plus, for places to
eat and drink ww.visitderry.com.

Abernethy Butter, Northern Ireland’s multi-award-winning handcrafted butter, will
soon be on sale at Marks and Spencer’s (M&S) popular network of food halls here
and in the Republic of Ireland.
High-end food specialist M&S has become the first food supermarket to offer the
luxury butter that’s preferred by many of the UK and Ireland’s top chefs, including
celebrities Heston Blumenthal, Marcus Wareing, and acclaimed food stylist Nigella
Lawson.
The deal to supply M&S food halls across the island is a major breakthrough in sales
of the hand churned and hand rolled butter for entrepreneur Peter Hannan, the new
owner of the innovative small business, and his team in Moira.
The company has just listed a special date and rum butter for Christmas season.
Peter, the founder and managing director of Hannan Meats, one of the UK and
Ireland’s leading producers of premium beef, pork and lamb for local and export
markets, acquired Abernethy Butter in March, after founders Will and Allison
Abernethy decided to retire and placed the artisan enterprise on the market.
Commenting on the M&S deal, Peter, one of the UK’s most successful and
respected business leaders, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this
significant listing with such a respected and pioneering food business as M&S.
“The deal moves our superb butter range on to another level with premium food halls
and provides an opportunity for more people here and in the Republic to enjoy a
genuinely world class and outstandingly tasty Northern Ireland product.
“The M&S listing is also an important boost for our efforts to pinpoint and develop
opportunities that we’ve identified in Ireland, in Britain and especially further afield for
this excellent creamy butter.
“Abernethy Butter is a wonderful range, and we are investing extensively to ensure
greater recognition and success for the product in key markets.
“I am convinced that Abernethy Butter has enormous growth potential especially in
Britain, the Republic of Ireland and abroad. Our production has already doubled in
the past three months from the additional sales, and is likely to double again in the
next six months,” adds Peter.
The unique butter was developed and launched by Will, a Dromara, Co Down farmer
and former nurse Allison Abernethy in 2005. Over the years, the distinctive patted
rolls of butter have built up something of a cult following, with listings in Harrods and
Fortnum & Mason in London, and a number of awards including an impressive string
of coveted UK Great Taste ‘stars’.

Production is currently being relocated to new premises in the Moira area, a 12,000
square foot facility on the site of a former pub/restaurant, and ramped up to meet
high demand for the butter.
Peter sees Abernethy Butter as one of the main operations in an artisan food hub
he’s planning for the complex. It will eventually offer scope for visitors to see the
butter being made by hand.
In addition to Abernethy Butter, Peter has a role with Ispini Charcuterie, also based
in Moira and an award-winning producer of cured meats that have won a host of
awards for outstanding taste.
His other food business interests include En Place Foods in Cookstown, an
innovator and producer of award-winning products for the catering/hospitality sector,
and CRAIC Foods in Craigavon, a producer and marketer of sauces, chutneys and
jams for retail. Both companies have also won UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann
awards. CRAIC also provides wholesale and distribution for other artisan food
producers here. Peter is in partnership with chef/businessman Paul Clarke in both
these enterprises. Paul has also contributed to the development of Abernethy Butter
products.
A director of Food NI, the local independent food promotion agency, Peter also
assists the growth of other artisan companies through the Meat Merchant in Moira, a
hugely popular butchery and deli venture, and through his extensive international
network of food contacts.
M&S has 22 stores in Northern Ireland, including Simply Food outlets in central
Belfast, Forestside and Sprucefield, and a further 18 in the Republic of Ireland. The
network now includes an ultra-modern M&S Simply Food Hall in Belfast’s recently
opened Grand Central travel hub.
The first M&S store to be developed in a local travel complex, it opened last
Wednesday and is operated by SSP Group, which already manages 54 M&S Simply
Food stores across the UK.
The Grand Central store, which sells freshly-baked pastries, salads and sandwiches,
as well as ready meals, wood-fired pizzas and confectionery, represents a further
substantial by the retailer in the local economy.
The ongoing investment, furthermore, includes sourcing innovative food and drink
from a growing number of local artisan producers.
Other listings of local food artisans this year include: Irish Black Butter, Portrush;
Corndale Charcuterie, Limavady; Burren Balsamics, Armagh; Melting Pot Fudge,
Belfast; and Natural Umber Apple Cider Vinegar from Dungannon.

Lidl Northern Ireland has procured more than half-a-billion pounds (£530 million) from local suppliers and business partners across Northern Ireland last year, according to its latest report. For the first time, the report includes £56 million worth of services procured by the retailer in Northern Ireland.

The report also reveals that the retailer procured goods from more than 60 local agri-food suppliers, including Gilfresh, Wilson’s Country, Dale Farm, Moy Park, Crust & Crumb, WD Meats, Foyle Foods and more. £69 million of these goods were sold in Lidl stores across Northern Ireland, with over £404 million shipped outside the region to Lidl’s expansive network of stores in Great Britain, Europe and internationally. £19 million increase YOY in support for more than 60 local agrifood suppliers

Ivan Ryan, Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland said:

“Each year, our Impact Report highlights our longstanding commitment to supporting our entire network of local suppliers – both established and aspiring – to grow and develop by showcasing the very best of their produce at home in Northern Ireland, and in thousands of our stores across Great Britain and Ireland and as far as Romania, Greece and Cyprus.

“This year, we are also pleased to showcase our valued business partners who make our business what it is behind the scenes and are very much seen as an extension of our business in Northern Ireland.

“As we approach the end of our 25th year in Northern Ireland, I am extremely proud of the ever-growing contribution Lidl Northern Ireland continues to make to the local agri-food industry through our supplier partnerships and initiatives such as Kickstart.”

Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland, said:

“Our market-leading growth in Northern Ireland over the past 25 years is testament to our long-established business model focused on investing in our local supplier network and bringing high quality, locally sourced fresh produce at great value to more than half-a-million shoppers across the region each week.

“Our sustained business performance allows us to continue investing in expanding our local supplier network as well as our network of stores in the region which, currently is at 42 stores, and will see further significant growth in the next 12 months.

“In parallel with our ambitious plans to expand our footprint across Northern Ireland, we will grow our support for local farmers, growers and producers as we continue to champion the region and promote its unrivalled food and drink credentials through our global store network.”

The Impact Report launch coincides with the publication of Lidl Northern Ireland’s financial results for the 23/24 period which recorded turnover of £496 million. Much of this has been re-invested locally to support Lidl’s ambitious expansion plans including a new flagship store in Boucher Road in Belfast which opened in September and future store openings in Carryduff and Stewartstown.

As the retailer marked its 25th anniversary in the region this year, a major economic report revealed that it contributed a record £360 million into the local economy in 2023 – doubling its annual economic contribution over the past five years – and supporting almost 7,000 jobs right across the region. Lidl Northern Ireland has powered through almost a quarter of a century with its high-quality, low-price proposition, and has firmly embedded itself as a local brand committed to supplying fresh, home-grown produce at outstanding quality and value.

For more information, please visit lidl-ni.co.uk

For more information on the Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, visit:

lidl-ni.co.uk/kickstart

Craigavon’s Karri Kitchen has teamed up with Henderson Group, Northern Ireland’s
biggest food wholesaler and retailer, to launch an innovative range of convenience
meals, the Made to Share Pots.
The vibrant, flavour-packed pots are designed to bring people together, making it
easy for families and friends to enjoy healthy, delicious, Southeast Asian-inspired
meals, right at their own tables, according to Shera McAloran (35), the director and
joint founder of the progressive company, a specialist on South East Asian flavoured
meals, with husband Chris, an experienced Armagh businessman.
 Shera, who is originally from Indonesia, continues: “The Made to Share Pots serve
up to four people, making them perfect for gatherings or simple weeknight dinners
when you crave something hearty and satisfying. Each pot comes ready to heat and
share, filled with protein, fresh veggies, and our signature spices.
“We’re launching with three crowd-pleasing favourites: the multi-award-winning
mango chicken curry – sweet, savoury, and bursting with tropical zest; Mongolian
beef stir fry – bold, smoky, with just the right hint of heat; and chicken tikka masala –
creamy, spiced, and oh-so-comforting.
The new meal pots have been developed by Shera, who also worked in hospitality in
Australia, using distinctive and flavour-rich family recipes from her homeland.
The handy pots are an extension of existing meals that she’s created successfully
from her own recipes and are already on sale in leading local supermarkets including
Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and, most recently, ASDA in Northern Ireland. The
products are now on sale in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and
have also attracted interest from supermarkets in other parts of Europe.
Karri Kitchen has become a remarkable success story and great local role model for
other smaller food companies since its formation in 2019.
The developing business with supermarkets is the outcome of the small
manufacturer’s strategic approach. It has also won major quality and taste awards
for its range of meals.
Early in the enterprising couple’s business journey, they saw the opportunity to sell
convenience meals to large retail chains. “With the increased demand for healthy
and convenient meals, we recognised the importance of expanding our distribution
channels to reach a wider customer base. The new convenience pots have been
developed with Henderson Group as an integral part of that strategy,” she adds.

“In 2021, we decided to expand our business into more supermarkets, driven by the
increasing demand for our healthier products and a chance to scale our business.
Our aim was to provide healthy meal options to a broader consumer base.
“To achieve this, we focused on building relationships with new retailers and
wholesalers through strategic networking, product demonstrations, and highlighting
the potential for mutual growth,” explains Shera.
The collaboration with Henderson Group on the new convenience products is
significant in that it gives Karri Kitchen access to the most extensive network of
grocery stores across Northern Ireland.
“At Karri Kitchen, our philosophy centres on food that’s meant to be shared, food that
gathers everyone around the table. We wanted these pots to embody that spirit of
togetherness, while also providing a convenient option for busy customers who want
to enjoy healthy, flavour-packed meals.
“Our customers can easily pair these pots with oven-baked chips, rice, or noodles to
create their perfect meal – and have some fun with it, too!
Shera grew up cooking alongside her mother in the home kitchen on traditional
Indonesian dishes that were rich in flavours, high in protein, colourful and depended
on fresh vegetables, meats, rice and a variety of fruits.
“My passion for good and protein-rich food is firmly rooted in those days,” Shera
explains. “I’ve carried this focus on fresh and local ingredients into the dishes within
the expanding Karri Kitchen portfolio,” she adds.
“I would like to say thank the team at Food NI for their support throughout the year.
It’s been truly rewarding to be part of Northern Ireland’s food scene, sharing my
Southeast Asian heritage while creating flavours that resonate locally. I look forward
to continuing to grow our culinary community together,” adds Shera, a mum of one
son.
Henderson Group operates a network of retail outlets, wholesale and catering
operations. Henderson Retail currently owns and operates 107 Spar and Europspar
stores in Northern Ireland. Karri Kitchen’s new meal pots will be available from these
outlets. Many of these are petrol forecourt sites, affiliated with the major oil brands.
Henderson Retail is one of the leading players in the UK independent market and
Northern Ireland’s largest independent fuel site operator.