30th Annual Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards

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In their 30th year, the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards are an opportunity for companies within the Northern Ireland food sector to shine a light on their successes and achievements. An integral part of the annual GroceryAid Ulster Grocers’ Ball, the awards will take place at the Culloden Estate and Spa on April 27, 2018

From producers to suppliers, wholesalers to individual retail outlets, the diverse range of award categories allows both well-established and up-and-coming companies to enjoy valuable media exposure and branding across this prestigious event, as well as ongoing editorial coverage throughout the year in Ulster Grocer magazine.

The awards are always hard fought with each category well represented and, as a result, are widely regarded as the highest marketing accolade businesses can achieve in the sector. The Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards are recognised as a mark of professionalism and raise the profile of companies, not only winning in their category, but also for those short-listed.

 

Stars in our Eyes

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The stars are shining even more brightly in Northern Ireland with Deane’s EIPIC and OX holding their Michelin stars for the third consecutive year. Both restaurants have only been open for a few short years and both give centre stage to local ingredients.

Those named in the Michelin Guide are considered to be among the world’s best eateries. Anonymous inspectors travel the globe to grade the restaurants, always paying the bills.

The Bib Gourmand is presented to those establishments which offer “good quality and good value cooking”. These awards have been held again for 2018 by the Bar and Grill at James Street South, Deane’s at Queens- both in Belfast, the Old  Schoolhouse Inn in Lisbane and Wine and Brine in Moira- both in County Down.

Taste of Ulster CEO Michele Shirlow said

“These are massive achievements for our members who work so hard to provide the best eating experience possible for domestic visitors and tourists alike.

It is difficult to get a star and sometimes even more difficult to retain it.

“The role of local producers and their strong relationships with chefs has played a big part in these restaurants’ success. Well done to all of them.”

President Michael D. Higgins meets Team Ireland ahead of World Butchers’ Challenge in Belfast

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President Michael D. Higgins met with the TOP butchers representing Ireland at this year’s World Butchers’ Challenge – including four who stem from Northern Ireland – ahead of the World Class competition taking place at the Titanic Exhibition Centre from 20 – 21 March.

Chosen to be part of Team Ireland are Eamon Etherson of Etherson’s Family Butchers, Portrush; Ian McKernaghan of Lisdergan Meats, Fintona; Colly Donnelly of J. MacMahon’s Butchers, Cookstown and Stephen Millar of Millar Meats, Irvinestown who will join Garrett Landers and Stephen Cooke, of Garrett’s Butchers in Limerick.

Headed up by CEO of Butchery Excellence International and Team Ireland Manager, Rhonda Montgomery from Ballygawley, Team Ireland were welcomed to a Presidential reception with over 50 delegates – including Team Ireland sponsors Kerry Group, McDonnells Queen Street and Spice O’Life Ltd – to meet with President Higgins.

 Rhonda Montgomery comments:

“It was a great honour to travel with Team Ireland to Áras an Uachtaráin and met with the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.  What an incredible opportunity for the whole team to step back from the months of preparation and training, and to receive formal acknowledgement ahead of representing their country at the World Butchers’ Challenge 2018.

 “The competition taking place at Meat@IFEX will allow our butchers to demonstrate their extraordinary skills and knowledge, and indeed for Northern Ireland and Ireland, to showcase the quality of our produce on a World Stage.   The competition will be tough with the international teams eager to showcase their own skills, but I am very confident in Team Ireland, as individually, each butcher brings a new skill to the table.”

The World Butchers’ Challenge 2018 which will take place during Meat@IFEX – an adjoining event to IFEX, Northern Ireland’s premier food, drink, retail and hospitality event –  is set to be the biggest yet, with Team Ireland competing against squads from 11 other countries in the hopes of being named ‘Best Butchers in the World’.

Visited by thousands of people from the food service and hospitality sectors, the show will be expanding its visitor base, with the World Butchers’ Challenge expected to attract over 250 butchers from around the globe.

 

In the above photo are; Eamon Etherson of Etherson’s Family Butchers, Portrush; Team Ireland Captain, Garrett Landers, of Garrett’s Butchers in Limerick; Team Ireland Vice Captain, Ian McKernaghan of Lisdergan Meats, Fintona; President Michael D. Higgins; Colly Donnelly of J. MacMahon’s Butchers, Cookstown; Stephen Millar of Millar Meats, Irvinestown and Stephen Cooke, of Garrett’s Butchers in Limerick

BelFeast Food and Drink Festival for the Cathedral Quarter

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Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th March.

BelFeast is an exciting new Food and Drinks Festival for Belfast. The Festival will showcase everything that’s great about Northern Ireland’s fabulous food and drinks industry. This unique event is supported by Belfast City Council and will be delivered by CQ Trust and the team behind Culture Night with the support of Food NI. The new three day festival will take place between 23rd and 25th of March and will be based in and around the Cathedral Quarter.

BelFeast promises to be a fresh and exciting addition to Belfast’s rapidly expanding menu of world class fare sure to tempt visitors from near and far to sample a taste of Northern Ireland and the Cathedral Quarter

The event will shine a spotlight on Northern Ireland’s outstanding food and drinks industry from the farmers and artisan producers who offer a dazzling variety of choice to the restaurants and chefs who combine local ingredients to create mouth-watering meals and memorable dining experiences.

Destination Food and Drink will also celebrate the unique role that food plays in our lives, encouraging people of all ages to get involved and to learn more about what they eat and where it comes from.

As well as working with local restaurants, cafes and bars BelFeast will bring the streets and spaces of the Cathedral Quarter to life with special events like an Artisan Food Market, Street Food Village, Tours and Talks, while our Food Theatre will feature demonstrations from some of the finest chefs, food writers and creators in the UK as well as showcasing some of the emerging and established stars of the local food industry.

Finally the programme will be topped off with a smattering of arts and cultural offerings from some of Northern Ireland’s best musicians at the festival stage, live street theatre featuring both local and international artists and a selection of performances from local community groups, choirs, musical ensembles and more.

40th Anniversary All Ireland Game Fair- Fine Food Festival

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To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the All Ireland Game Fair we have combined the NI and ROI Great Game Fairs of Ireland into one potentially huge All Ireland event. We already have booked several new attractions; organised a superb range of competitions with an unrivalled prize fund including very special 40th anniversary trophies to be won outright, and planned a huge all-Ireland marketing campaign. This year the show is at Shane’s Castle and is running from the 23rd to the 24th of June.

SPECIAL FOOD NI PROMOTION

We have some very special Fine Food attractions but would like the widest representation of quality fine food producers and thus are offering FoodNI producers an unrivalled promotional package. This includes a 3m x 3m stand space in a quality framed marquee for just £190 (normal cost £300) PLUS a bonus for those companies booking by the 3rd March of a FREE 60mm x 80mm advert (value £115) in the pre-Fair Fine Food Feature in the Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine (100,000 plus readers per issue).

For more information and to book a space see here – Food Festival Booking Form

2018 Great Taste Award Entry now open

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1 February General entry – open to all

Members’ Fortnight ended automatically at midnight on 31 January
Normal rate of entry will now apply to all
Entry for Great Taste is capped at 12,500
ENTER EARLY to avoid disappointment and missing out

16 February Closing date  If entry cap is not already reached before this date

March to mid-June Delivery Instructions calling for products

Download notifications sent via email

20 March Judging begins in London & Dorset

8 June Judging ends

Late June 3 star products re-called for judging

4 July  3-star Judging Day

Early August Results and Feedback

 

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