Food NI member Copeland Spirits in Northern Ireland has become the first local gin brand to be listed with German discounter, Aldi. The brand’s ‘Rhuberry’ flavoured gin is currently listed in the supermarket chain’s stores in Ireland.

 Copeland Spirits, based at Saintfield in county Down, was established in 2016, following a successful crowdfunding campaign by founder Gareth Irvine.

The range now boasts two permanent lines, ‘Rhuberry’, which will be carried by Aldi Ireland and ‘Raspberry and Mint’. Both flavours feature herbs and fruits grown in Northern Ireland, championing the produce and skill of local farmers.

 The ‘Rhuberry’ flavour is a collaboration with Finlay’s Farm Balloo and showcases the quality of rhubarb and blackberry, both grown locally and carefully selected. With a 37.8% ABV, this gin defies the perception of flavoured gins in that it has all of the flavour of a liqueur, yet offers all of the artisan quality of a premium gin.

 Commenting on the new listing with Aldi Ireland, founder of Copeland Spirits, Gareth Irvine said: “Our range aims to provide the consumer with gins that excite but it’s us who are the most-excited at the minute. To be listed in Aldi Ireland, after such a short time in business is both a testament to our unique offering and the quality of NI produce.

 “It’s incredible to represent the local gin scene across Aldi Ireland’s stores and share a taste of Northern Ireland with consumers. Our gin is more than just a gin, it’s a bottling of Northern Ireland’s great outdoors and a celebration of our local produce and skilful farmers.

 “Copeland Spirits began as a crowdfunding campaign and now we’re a local a crowd favourite. It’s both rewarding and motivating to experience the level of support we have from the Northern Ireland consumer and we look forward to continuing to surprise and excite with further new listings, new flavours and more.”

 

 

Food NI member Abernethy Butter, a multi-award-winning producer of handcrafted butter, is now supplying the five-star Claridge’s Hotel in London.

Based at Dromara in rural county Down, Abernethy has won business with the prestigious hotel in London’s Mayfair for its creamy handmade butter crafted from fresh cream sourced from a local grass-fed dairy herd.

Established by husband and wife team Will and Allison Abernethy in 2005, the small company is now among Northern Ireland’s most successful artisan producers.

Abernethy is also helping to drive interest in real butter in Britain, the company’s primary market outside Northern Ireland and one in which it is now experiencing significant growth.

Allison Abernethy, commenting on the company’s latest success in Britain, says: “We were delighted to receive the order for our original butter from such a prestigious and globally respected hospitality business as Claridge’s Hotel in London. It was a marvellous boost.

“Winning business from Claridge’s, one of the world’s best hotels, is hugely important for us in Britain. It moves our business to another level in a market in which we’ve also been honoured by endorsements from leading chefs such as Heston Blumenthal and Marcus Wareing,” adds Mrs Abernethy.

Abernethy Butter products, which now include smoked butter and dulse (Irish seaweed) and sea salt butter have also been praised by broadcasters Nigella Lawson and James Martin.

Will Abernethy, a former farmer, makes and rolls the fresh butter by hand. The products have won a series of Great Taste Awards for quality, outstanding taste and provenance.

Claridge’s, an art deco icon and a byword for timeless elegance, has been at the heart of hospitality excellence in London since the 1850s.

Favoured by royals, Claridge’s has almost 200 classy rooms and features the Michelin star Fera restaurant run by Simon Rogan

The Qrendi Potato Festival is a twinning project with Comber Earlies Potato festival. The Festival was held on Sunday the 27th of May in Qrendi, Malta’s potato harvest capital.

Now in its seventh year, the festival is popular among tourists and locals alike, offering visitors the opportunity to re-discover the rural aspect of the Maltese Islands.

The Festival is a wonderful event for the whole family which will enable visitors to savour potato-based traditional gourmet dishes, as well as the ever popular potato cinnamon ice-cream and potato cocktail.

 

£200,000 investment by Balloo Inns transforms award-winning gastro-pub

 4^th June 2018: Award-winning County Down gastro-pub favourite, The Poacher’s Pocket, has undergone a £200,000 renovation. The cosy new front bar extension in Lisbane near Comber will offer regular patrons and culture enthusiasts a traditional country-chic pub experience.

Opening up new offerings for Poacher’s Pocket visitors, the six-figure investment provides an extended space for the traditional front pub, seamlessly flowing from the dining restaurant.

The newly extended Poacher’s Pocket is at the heart of the community, welcoming locals and visitors alike for an authentic pub experience.  Already well known for a firm focus on local products, the bar offers hand-picked homegrown ales, artisan gins and a range of specialised whiskeys.

Live music will be a strong feature with mid-week open traditional sessions and regular weekend appearances from well-known singer songwriters, Ken Haddock and Matt McGinn. The snug booths, a traditional dark wood bar, antique brass furnishings and an inset wood burning stove also makes the relaxed setting ideal for private events.

The Poacher’s Pocket opened in 2013 and since then has won an array of accolades, including recently being crowned the Best Gastro-Pub in County Down at the Irish Restaurant Awards for the fourth consecutive year. The venue was also awarded the 2018 title of Best Wine Experience, to add to its ever-growing list.

In keeping with the stand-out style of the Balloo Inns Group which includes Balloo House in Killinchy and The Parsons Nose in Hillsborough, the latest investment showcases the group’s continued commitment to honing its craft and renowned hospitality offering.

Ronan Sweeney, Balloo Inns Managing Director and owner of The Poacher’s Pocket, said: “We are really proud of the latest works at Poacher’s Pocket.  The redevelopment enables more customers to enjoy a good night out, with space to continue their evening and to socialise. The combination of great food with entertainment such as live music sessions or the popular pub quiz, means we can create truly memorable experiences. Our happy customers are our main benchmark, but the national award success is also appreciated and is down to the dedication of our 120-strong team in the Balloo Inns Group.”

The redevelopment builds on The Poacher’s Pocket distinctive character, with York stone floor and dark wood paneling. It includes artwork from esteemed local artist Kathryn Callaghan, with the renovation design led by local commercial interior architect, Paul Haffey, providing acclaimed design solutions in the hospitality industry.

The Poacher’s Pocket continues to work particularly closely with talented Northern Ireland suppliers, with local flavours incorporated into its award-winning menu.  It also stocks local produce on the shelves of the adjoining artisan food and wine shop, The Poacher’s Pantry. The gourmet shop offers Poacher’s own soups, sauces and baked goods from the kitchen as well as products from award-winning Hannan Meats, JN Wines and local brewers and distillers.

Food is served daily at The Poacher’s Pocket from noon to 9.00pm (9.30pm at weekends), with The Pantry open from 9am.  For more information and to make a booking, call 028 9754 1589.