BRC accreditation and new look for Scott’s Onions

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Scott’s Crispy Onions, a Food NI member, has achieved BRC accreditation and refreshed its branding to grow sales in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Based near Coleraine in Co Londonderry, Scott’s has become the leading supplier of convenient crispy onions to retailers and caterers on the island of Ireland and is keen to develop new opportunities identified in Great Britain.

Managing director Richard Scott says the rebrand has given its product range of ready to eat crispy onions “a bolder, fresher and eye catching presence on the shelves of supermarkets, independent grocers, delis and butchery businesses in existing markets and to assist us in the GB marketplace in particular. It gives our products a wow factor which should attract shoppers”.

“Achieving BRC accreditation for all our systems, processes and products is an immensely important stage in our development and will enhance our efforts to grow business with major retailers in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

“The Republic has grown to 40 percent of our sales since the launch of Scott’s Onions as a standalone company in 2013,” he adds.

The new branding, designed by Belfast consultancy Part II, which provides expert brand creation and marketing services to food business throughout the UK and Ireland, represents an £80,000 investment and covers all aspects of the small business, including corporate information, website and vehicle livery.

The company has four flavours of crispy onions – Original, Steak, Smokey Bacon and Sweet Chilli – in 90g retail packs and 1.6kg tubs for caterers. The crispy onions developed from the wholesale fruit and vegetable business started by Sydney B Scott, Richard’s father, in 1955.

Scott’s Crispy Onions is the brainchild of Richard and his team. They realised the growing popularity of tobacco onions in Northern Ireland hotels and restaurants and decided to develop a product that was more convenient for chefs and home cooks than having to fry onions.

Five years on and working from a new purpose-built factory with 16 people, Scott’s Crispy Onions has expanded to four flavours of ready to eat onions. The company’s clients in Northern Ireland include all the main retail and foodservice distributors and are available in most, good convenience stores and butchers across the country.

The innovative products are increasingly winning significant business in the Republic.

Scott’s Crispy Onions are now sold in the Republic of Ireland in SuperValu, Centra, (both under own brand), Spar and shortly in Tesco Ireland outlets. In addition, the company has its own representatives in Dublin and Tipperary who most butchers throughout the country.

Rachel Allen headlines this year’s ‘LegenDerry Food Festival’.

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The impact of a food festival can greatly increase tourism and ultimately boost the local economy, raising the profile of local businesses and up and coming chefs and food products. The award winning LegenDerry Food Festival will be doing just that, with the expectation of over 30k visitors to the Guildhall square in the city centre over the forthcoming St Patrick’s weekend on 17th and 18th March.

Recent government figures published, state that tourism spend is nearly £3m per day to N.Ireland, and Derry & Strabane District Council is aiming to secure some of that to boost the city centre by attracting visitors to this free food event for all the family. Located under the Guildhall and in clear sight of the renowned Peace Bridge, the LegenDerry Food Festival is free to attend and will be held outside with great local food producers specialising in using local produce, with lots of animation and fun for the kids to enjoy.

The main attraction for so many of those visiting the event will be Irish celebrity chef Rachel Allen, known for her work on television and as a writer. Rachel has supported the LegenDerry event in the past and is back again on Sunday 18th March with her first demonstration at 1pm. The event starts at 12 mid-day and goes on to 6pm when Rachel will be providing a great opportunity for visitors to hear first-hand those special techniques which makes Rachel such a leader in the industry.

One of the few well known female chefs in Ireland and in the UK, Rachel has opened her own restaurant in Cork, teaches in the infamous Ballymaloe Cookery School, and still has time to make appearances on radio, television, write over a dozen cookery books and bring up three children. Asked what is so special about LegenDerry Food Festival to attract her back for a second time, Rachel stated, “When I was asked if I would demonstrate at this year’s event, I jumped at the chance! This is such a great food festival as it provides an opportunity to showcase local produce as well as local new talent who may not be as well known yet. It gives them a springboard into the public arena which they may not otherwise secure.

“The location is continually developing and is turning into such a vibrant hub for tourists and industry. The food industry is expanding very quickly as we are now starting to realise the importance of eating well and just feeling better about ourselves, that’s what I aim to bring to the LegenDerry Food Festival event.

“I will be providing two demonstrations for the public to experience the importance of eating local produce and just how simple I keep my recipes for everyone to enjoy. I will be giving hints and tips on what to look out for when cooking that all important meal and on following a simple recipe guide. I am looking forward to being there on the Sunday afternoon of the St Patrick’s weekend, as the audience will be amazing.”

The LegenDerry Food Festival is part of the larger Spring Festival programme of events for Derry and Strabane District Council. Detail on the programme and a list of food producers and entertainment on offer over the two days is available on www.derrystrabane.com/food The LegenDerry programme is supported by Tourism NI and DAERA’s NI Regional Food Programme and organised by Derry and Strabane District Council.  @islandskypr

Guides Taste the Greatness of our food

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Food NI, Northern Ireland’s food and drink promotion body, has revised and
relaunched its popular Taste the Greatness Guides.
The two guides, launched at a special breakfast with Hastings Hotels in the Culloden
Estate and Spa, to around 200 food and drink producers and hospitality operations
from across Northern Ireland, are Taste the Greatness Producer Guide 2018 and
Taste the Greatness Restaurant Guide 2018.
The Producer Guide lists hundreds of food and drink producers and provides
essential information about food and drink companies here and their products and
services.
The objective is to encourage potential buyers, such as supermarkets, grocery
stores, delis and farm shops to list local products, as well as assisting collaboration
between smaller companies in particular.
The Restaurant Guide provides essential information and contact points for most of
Northern Ireland’s restaurants, cafes and hotels. It has been produced by Food NI to
support the work of Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland in signposting great places to
dine and snack in Northern Ireland.
Taste the Greatness refers to the Food NI strategic action plan to help to accelerate
the growth of Northern Ireland’s food and drink and hospitality sectors.
Michele Shirlow, Food NI Chief Executive, commenting on the two guides, says:
“Food and drink is now recognised as among the most important influences on
decisions by potential tourists about a holiday or short break destination. They are
also influenced by the food and drink that’s readily available.
“Our two Taste the Greatness guides provide the information they need about the
premium quality and outstanding taste of our food and drink and also pinpoint where
they can go to find superb meals and experience authentic food and drink, created
by our talented and innovative chefs using the best locally sourced ingredients.
“We also use both guides on our presentations at major events such as the RUAS
Balmoral Show at Balmoral Park, at Borough Market in London, and Speciality and
Fine Food Show in London to showcase the quality of our products. Both are also
used by Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland in marketing activities here, in Great Britain,
the Republic of Ireland, the US and further afield.
“Our unique Producer Guide has, encouraged retail buyers to list local products
including those from smaller companies and to promote collaboration between
producers in key areas such as new product development,” adds Mrs Shirlow.

Jean-Christophe Novelli set to sizzle at opening of IFEX 2018

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IT has just been announced that multi-Michelin star award-winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, is set to officially open this year’s largest food, hospitality and retail exhibition –  IFEX 2018.

Taking place from the 20th – 22nd March at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Jean-Christophe will fly into Belfast to open the doors of IFEX and Meat@IFEX – the new sister event to IFEX.

Ahead of the April opening of his Novelli at City Quays restaurant at the AC Hotel by Marriott, Jean-Christophe will travel to IFEX to meet some of the country’s biggest food companies and artisan producers. Jean-Christophe will also meet with many of Northern Ireland’s student and industry culinarians who are taking part in ChefSkills – the competition where many of NI’s most-awarded chefs were first recognised.

Speaking ahead of opening the show, the celebrity chef added: “I am thrilled to be returning to Belfast to officially open IFEX, an event that supports the growth of the hospitality and foodservice sectors across the region.  Northern Ireland is fast-becoming world-renowned for its hospitality offering, and IFEX plays such a pivotal role in the development of skills and securing future business for the 200 plus exhibitors who are participating at the show.

 “I’m excited to visit the Great Taste Market, the International Street Food competition and to see chefs in action at ChefSkills.  Ahead of the opening of our new restaurant, Novelli at City Quays, myself and my executive head chef Jim Mulholland also be on the lookout for new local products and suppliers.”  

 IFEX 2018 is bigger than ever, with the event growing in size thanks to the addition of a sister show – Meat@IFEX. This continued investment and expansion demonstrates the growing appetite for the food and hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.  Meat@IFEX will host the World Butchers’ Challenge attracting hundreds of competitors and exhibitors from across the world. 

 Running across the three days and at the heart of IFEX is Salon Culinaire – Northern Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition, including IFEX Northern Ireland Chef of the Year, which is supported by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

 IFEX is a melting pot for all elements of the food, drink, retail and hospitality industries. Connecting producers and suppliers to distributors, and those in the foodservice and hospitality trade.

 A trade only event, IFEX 2018 is taking place from Tuesday 20th March to Thursday 22nd March at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast. The show opens daily at 10am and runs until 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and to 4pm on Thursday. If you’d like to attend, simply register for your free ticket at ifexexhibition.co.uk

Good Food and Good Company at The LegenDerry Food Festival

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The LegenDerry Food Festival is a free family event, held over two days on the 17th and 18th March as part of the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations, running from 12 mid-day to 6pm, there will be lots of entertainment and music for the younger ones to enjoy.

With over 20 food choices to experience, ranging from the sumptuous artisan cheese specialist Dart Mountain Cheese making distinctive flavours from local ingredients, great with their local chutneys and relishes, to the award-winning Morelli’s for their Italian recipe ice-cream with an addition of hot waffles and the new Affogato with a shot of Lavazzo espresso which will be great during the recent cold weather we are experiencing!

MC for the weekend will be television chef and writer Brian McDermott, who will also be launching his new book during the final day of the food festival Sunday 18th March. With a guest appearance by Rachel Allen, known for her television appearances all over the world, Brian was asked about his expectations for the forthcoming food festival which is part of the larger Spring Festival designed by Derry and Strabane District Council.

“I will be concentrating on making sure that everyone who is taking part will be in the right place at the right time!” says Brian.  He continued, “I love to coach and mentor young and new talent, helping them continue with their passion in either cooking or becoming a food producer. The LegenDerry Food Festival is becoming a unique experience as local businesses and restaurants are coming on board, and the recipes you experience at the event you can find when you go to eat out, which is fantastic.”

When asked about his new book, Brian said, “My book launch in N.Ireland will be at the Food Festival as I wanted to ensure LegenDerry visitors had the opportunity to read it first! It is 100 recipes collected over 25 years and called the ‘Donegal Table’ using produce from my local area. It’s about bringing the origins of cooking the evening meal back to basics, like my granny used to do.

“With recent health scares in the media about eating so much processed food, my book concentrates on cooking fresh, cooking local and making cooking fun again.  I have two teenage girls who are also getting involved and loving it! Especially when some of the recipes are one pot wonders and ‘food craic’, which are all about the social element of eating.

“The city has developed an amazing food base and the LegenDerry Food Festival is a key part of that. I attend over 30 food events each year, and this one is a huge favourite of mine because of the food offering, new talent, producers and of course the visitors who come to it.

“We are continually interfacing with the public at the event, and the attractions of additional tourists is enhancing the local economy and the hospitality industry. The boost is evident with the creation of new jobs and the support it gives to highlight local industry to come back again this year as I have so much self-assurance in what this award-winning event delivers. It is a strong region, improving platforms for food and I am looking forward to the two-day programme. There is so much to see, taste and experience and of course it is for all the family of all ages.  It is jam packed!

The award winning LegenDerry Food Festival is part of the Spring Festival Programme supported by Tourism NI and DAERA’s NI Regional Food Programme and organised by Derry and Strabane City Council. For more info go to www.derrystrabane.com/food   @islandskypr

Fane Valley Support UFU Efforts for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

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Fane Valley are delighted to be able to present a cheque for £3000 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland in association with Ulster Farmers’ Union’s pledge to raise £100,000 for this local life saving service.

In the picture above: Victor Chestnutt, UFU – Deputy President; Grace Williams, AANI Area Fundraising Manager and Trevor Lockhart, Fane Valley – Chief Executive are celebrating the news that sales of the Ulster Farmers’ Union 2018 charity calendar through Fane Valley Stores have raised £3000 for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.