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.

Peter Rabbit™ Movie Teams Up with Mash Direct in New Competition

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Peter Rabbit, the mischievous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role in this Spring’s must-see movie, in cinemas March 16th, and family-run farm, Mash Direct have pledged to help him on his way with some carrots! Mash Direct are promoting the release of Peter Rabbit with giveaways, detailed on-pack, including a daily win of a ‘Grow Your Own Plant’ kit and the chance to win a luxury, holiday of a lifetime experience to a family farmhouse in France.

Mash Direct diversified their family farm back in 2004 to create healthy, gluten-free, vegetable side dishes that have the taste and texture of homemade food.  Peter Rabbit has teamed up with the most award-winning carrots on the shelves (Mash Direct have 19 to their name) so look out for promotional packs and social media competitions to win tickets to exclusive screenings.

Speaking with Director, Jack Hamilton: “Everyone has grown up with Peter Rabbit which makes us very excited about working with Sony Pictures as Peter Rabbit makes his hop to the big screen! We love our veg and want to help the nation to eat healthier and make better food choices. Our competition prizes will hopefully get people buying more vegetable products and get children interested in how plants grow with our fun prizes. Look out for our promotional packs in supermarkets near you, our billboards around the country and listen out for further details on the radio.”

Barbara Murphy of Sony Pictures, said: “We are delighted to team up with Mash Direct ahead of the release of Peter Rabbit this Spring. The promotion is the perfect way to engage families in healthy eating whilst giving them the chance to win prizes in connection with one of our most lovable characters.”

Peter Rabbit™ is in cinemas from March 16th 2018 and the Mash Direct on-pack promotion will run in supermarkets from 1st February 2018 until the 31st March 2018.

 

 

The mischievous little rascal Peter Rabbit has been causing mischief on the farm at Mash Direct.

Photo Caption Top:  

Pictured R-L: Jack Hamilton, Marketing and Exports Director Mash Direct, Clare Forster, Head of Marketing Mash Direct and Tim Acheson, Digital Marketing Executive Mash Direct promoting the launch of the new Peter Rabbit Movie in Cinema 16th March.

New 100% Organic Oat, Seed & Nut Mueslis from White’s

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White’s Oats, the Northern Irish award-winning miller of porridge oats and oat based breakfast cereals, has launched new Organic Oat Mueslis.

The new 100 percent Organic Oat Mueslis – Four Seed Goodness and Fruit & Nut Goodness – feature more than 30 percent of White’s Oats and are made from all natural ingredients with nothing artificial.

The nutritional blend of low GI oats, fruit, seeds and nuts provide an energising balance of protein, natural sugars and healthy fats in every bowl. Both varieties are made with no added sugar, are wheat free and suitable for vegans, delivering on the trend for healthy, nutritious plant based foods.

Based in Tandragee, county Armagh, White’s Oats has secured business for the mueslis with Tesco Northern Ireland.

The company has been trading with Tesco since 1996 and has sales of more than £800,000 across its traditional and instant porridge oats and ready to eat oat cereals.

Its new range of Organic Oat Mueslis, which will be listed in 26 stores across Northern Ireland, comes on the back of a strong performance from sales of its Granola and Toasted Oats cereals which now feature in the retailer’s top 10 products within the granola, muesli and cluster category.

White’s sales of Organic Oats have grown 35 percent year on year₂ with Tesco reflecting the growing shift in the market towards organic foods, in which supermarket sales recorded yearly growth of 4.2 percent on last year.

Stuart Best, business development manager of White’s Oats, says: ‘’Consumers are now choosing products which fit in with active and healthy lifestyles, and that includes organic, vegan, and no added sugar foods. We are delighted to not only broaden the organic choice within Tesco’s muesli category but also bring to market trend led products which will attract new consumers and younger shoppers to the category.’’

Jonathan McWhinney, packaged food buying manager at Tesco Northern Ireland adds: ‘’As active lifestyles become more mainstream, our customers are increasingly looking for new products that help them maintain a healthy diet or increase their intake of plant based alternatives.

“White’s Oats products have long been a favourite among Tesco shoppers in Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to add their Organic Oat Mueslis to the existing range. This is the latest in our offering of local products which cater for vegans or even those shoppers just wishing to make healthier additions to their weekly shop.’’

Celebrating over 176 years in business, White’s has been milling porridge oats and oat cereals at its site in Tandragee, Co. Armagh since 1841.

 

 

Front: Johnny Hamilton, personal trainer, with, from left,; Stuart Best, business development manager at White’s Oats; Jonathan Mc Whinney, packaged food buying manager at Tesco Northern Ireland