Ian Orr to appear on BBC Saturday Kitchen Live this St Patrick’s Day

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Ian Orr, the multi award winning Chef Patron of Browns Bonds Hill Group, will feature on BBC Saturday Kitchen Live on St Patrick’s Day, Saturday 17 March at 10.00am.

Starring alongside presenter Matt Tebbutt, Ian, whose restaurant was awarded Best Food Tourism Experience in Northern Ireland for 2017, will be cooking an Irish themed dish to tempt the taste buds of this week’s celebrity guest, Amanda Redman.

Speaking ahead of his Saturday Kitchen appearance Ian said: “I’m really looking forward to cooking on Saturday Kitchen this St Patrick’s Day, this will be my second time on the show and it’s a real privilege to be invited back.  I’ll be showcasing one of our signature dishes from the restaurants using some fantastic local produce”

“I’m used to cooking live in front of an audience in my restaurants at my regular cooking demonstrations and at the various events I appear at across Northern Ireland, I’m determined to do well on the omelette challenge this time. I want to see my face on that board!”

It will be a busy weekend for Ian “after the show I’m performing another live demonstration at a special St Patrick’s Day event in Borough Market in London, the event has been organised by Food NI in conjunction with Tourism Ireland, and I’ll be entertaining a number of food writers and bloggers during the afternoon”

Ian Orr opened Browns Bonds Hill with Marcus Roulston in 2009. The restaurant has twice been named Best Restaurant in Ulster by Restaurants Association of Ireland and has won the coveted title of Best Restaurant in Derry~Londonderry from Restaurants Association of Ireland for nine consecutive years. It is across the Foyle from its sister restaurant Browns in Town which has been awarded for customer service excellence by Restaurants Association of Ireland. Their portfolio includes Ardtara Country House Hotel in Upperlands, which has been awarded for customer service excellence by Restaurants Association of Ireland and named AA Guest Accommodation of the Year in NI 2017 and Browns On The Green and Barnhill Bar & Grill in Letterkenny. They also offer bespoke outside catering with Browns Anywhere.

Browns Bonds Hill has been named in Sunday Times Ireland 2017 Top 100 Irish Restaurants and in Business Post Top 101 Great Irish Restaurants 2017.

Ian Orr appearing live on BBC Saturday Kitchen Live, BBC One, Saturday 17 March at 10.00am.

The Humble Comber Spud Hits the Big Apple

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Mash Direct launches in the USA!

Fresh, mashed potatoes grown on a farm in Comber will be available in the US for the first time ever this month when a 6th generation Irish farming family, Mash Direct, brings its range of locally-grown vegetable side dishes to shelves in New York.

Farmed on the shores of Strangford Lough, the traditional Northern Irish foods will be available to purchase in time for St. Patrick’s Day at Key Food, Food Emporium, Brooklyn Fare and SuperFresh.

It’s the first time that the taste of fresh Northern Irish produce will be available for customers to purchase in US grocery stores. The potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cabbage and more are grown by the Hamiltons, a 6th generation Comber farming family.

Martin Hamilton diversified his farm back in 2004 to create Mash Direct, offering healthy, gluten-free, vegetable side dishes that have the taste and texture of quality, Irish homemade food.

The company has come from humble beginnings of selling traditional Mashed Potatoes and Champ in St. George’s Market to exporting its range of over 40 products on a global scale.

Made with traditional local butter and containing no artificial flavourings or preservatives and being gluten-free, it’s easy to see why the vegetable dishes have proven to be popular with the American taste-buds.

Speaking ahead of the US Launch, Mash Direct Director, Jack Hamilton:

“Everybody knows that Comber is famous for potatoes and for the first time we are able to supply them fresh to New York. There is such a great variety of Irish-produced whiskies and stouts across the USA, but no one in the market is bringing fresh Northern Irish dishes to American plates. We wanted to bring the unique richness of Irish soil and six generations of farming knowledge to the shelves.

Eight of Mash Direct’s products (including family favourites such as Potato Croquettes, Mashed Potato and Potato Rosti) will be listed to go into Key Food supermarket stores, throughout New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania from this week.

KILKEEL SIGNS UP NEW INTERNATIONAL FISHING PARTNER AS HARBOUR EXPANSION PLANS TAKE SHAPE

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Caption: Kilkeel-based Seasource, the fishing and fish processing to marine and offshore services group is led by Davey Hill (left) and Alan McCulla (right)

A London-based international fishing company has announced its intention to invest in Kilkeel Harbour and base six of its vessels in the County Down port.

Hooktone Group which is owned by the Hermida family and operates in ports around the world, manages a fleet of some 20 vessels and has now become a member of the Kilkeel based Seasource, also known as the Anglo North Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (ANIFPO). 

The firm says Kilkeel is ideally positioned on the western flanks of the Irish Sea to grow its north European business sustainably. If plans for a state-of-the-art outer harbour are realised in the next few years, both the company and Sea-Source say Kilkeel will be a major north European marine hub employing up to 2,000 people.

Speaking on behalf of the company Maria Hermida says the partnership with Seasource is a strategic move for the firm and part of a growth strategy she has been working towards for some years.

“Hooktone Group has been operating from various ports in England and Scotland as well as internationally for three decades and we have watched Kilkeel and Seasource develop their plans and grow the business sustainably and in the long term,” says Ms Hermida.

“We are keen to work with Sea-Source because we share the same objectives. Also, our boats are geared for different species of fish so we will be bringing additional benefits including increased quotas to the port as well as new experience and knowledge adding to Kilkeel’s wealth of expertise.”

Alan McCulla, chief executive of Seasource, says the partnership represents a significant expression of confidence in Kilkeel Harbour and its potential for significant growth.

“We are delighted to welcome Hooktone Group to our collective. The firm’s investment in the port shows that success engenders success and we are particularly pleased to have attracted the group here particularly when they could have chosen any number of other UK ports.

“The decision to make Kilkeel one of their strategic bases is further proof that the fishing industry when sustainably and responsibility managed is potentially a substantial employer and generator of significant economic growth.

“Hooktone Group brings a wealth of experience and skills which we are keen to learn from.”

Kilkeel has maintained its position as one of the top UK ports, attracting some of the largest landings of langoustines in the country. Growth in hake,monkfish, megrim and ling landings is expected when Hooktone Group begin consigning some of their landings there later this year.

Mr McCulla says the investment by Hooktone group is a signal that post-Brexit Northern Ireland is already starting to define itself positively and that more partnerships with international groups can be expected.

Plans for the £35 million outer harbour which would provide 21st century facilities to develop the fishing and offshore marine services sectors, as well as a leisure sailing marina are currently being promoted by Kilkeel Strategic Partnership as a key economic infrastructure development which would enhance the growth of neighbouring maritime communities Ardglass and Annalong as well as Warrenpoint. Davey Hill who leads Seasource Offshore says the expansion is critical to the survival and success of the port. “Kilkeel Harbour has been operational since 1853. For us to continue creating jobs and developing the marine economy, we quite simply need a modern, larger port from which to operate.”

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.