North Coast Vanilla Ice Cream named the best in the UK at National Industry Awards

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On the 15th February 2018: Vanilla ice cream created by Northern Ireland’s famous family-owned ice cream brand, Morelli’s, has been named the best in the UK at a national awards ceremony in Harrogate last night.

The local brand’s Double Cream Vanilla flavour secured double Gold at the annual Ice Cream Awards, the Oscars of the ice cream industry. It scooped the accolades in the Dairy Continuous and Dairy Open Class categories at the glamorous event in Yorkshire.

Morelli’s also took home a Silver award for its Raspberry Ripple flavour, a Silver Champion award for its Double Cream Vanilla flavour and was awarded Bronze for its Blackcurrant Frozen Yoghurt.

The Ice Cream Awards is run by the Ice Cream Alliance, the official trade association for the UK’s £1 billion ice cream industry, and each category is judged by industry peers. The Awards forms part of the annual Ice Cream Expo, held in Harrogate and attended by thousands of ice cream manufacturers, retailers and key industry stakeholders across the country.

The awards were collected by Arnaldo Morelli, who heads up the family business from its headquarters in Coleraine, alongside his brother Marino, sisters Daniela and Tania, and Production Manager, Eddie Johnston. Speaking after collecting the top prizes, Arnaldo said: “The Ice Cream Awards is the highlight of the ice cream industry calendar and to win here is an incredible achievement. We’re all absolutely over the moon to be bringing five trophies back to Northern Ireland, including two Gold awards for our Double Cream Vanilla flavour.”

“This win is a huge testament to our talented team and fantastic suppliers. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work, support and dedication to creating the best ice cream and I can’t wait to get home and celebrate with them.”

The presentation of the Guido Morelli Rising Star Award in memory of Arnaldo’s father, Guido Morelli, was awarded to Luigi Di Paolo from Di Paolo Café. The award honours a young member of the ice cream community who has made an impact within the industry in a short period of time and shines a light on their achievements.

Treat Week 24th February to 3rd March

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Treat Week is a week-long celebration of the tastiest eateries across Lisburn & Castlereagh. Running from Saturday 24th February to Saturday 3rd March 2018, eateries across the Council area from Moira to Dundonald, will kick-start spring, with one-off food and drink experiences.

Whether you are a seasoned foodie or simply want an excuse for a day out or a night off, our restaurants and cafes will be cooking up a culinary storm. Expect to ‘Taste the Greatness’ with one-off food and drink experiences, from themed gourmet evenings to cooking masterclasses, pop up suppers and village food trails.

Look out for special events and Treat Week offers in your favourite haunts or that place you have always been meaning to try, whether that is simply meeting up with a friend for an afternoon coffee, a family day out or a fine dining experience.

For a full rundown, go to our dedicated Treat Week website. It will be updated throughout the next few weeks so keep checking back.

Top award for Burren Balsamics at leading GB food show

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Burren Balsamics in Northern Ireland, a leading producer of whole fruit infused balsamic vinegars and a Food NI member company, has won a top award at the Fine Food Show North in Harrogate.

The artisan business, which is based at Richhill in county Armagh, has gained an Editor’s Choice Award at the major food event organised by the UK Guild of Fine Food and publisher of Fine Food Digest.

Burren Balsamics, founded and managed by chef Susie Hamilton Stubber, gained the award for its unique Beetroot and Cocoa Nib vinegar.

Mrs Hamilton Stubber, commenting on the award, says: “I am delighted to have won this important recognition from Fine Food Digest at this major food and drink exhibition. It’s a tremendous boost for the business and our substantial investment over the past year to grow sales in Great Britain, the most important market for the company.

“We’ve been taking part in a number of major food shows in Britain, the most recent being Fine Food Show North in Harrogate, and been encouraged by the interest shown in our balsamics by chefs and the wider public. It has required a substantial investment in time and funds but it’s the only way to increase awareness of our products and grow sales,” she adds.

The company was the only food business from Northern Ireland taking part in the event in Harrogate.

The company has already taken part in leading food shows in London, Birmingham and Glasgow. Burren Balsamics is keen to expand sales in Britain through delis, independent retailers and farm shops.

Burren Balsamics has a strong position in Northern Ireland and is also developing business in the Republic of Ireland since winning one of the major awards at last year’s Blas na hEireann Irish National Food Awards. It has also gained UK Great Taste Awards from the UK Guild of Fine Food.

Established in February 2014 by Mrs Hamilton Stubber, Burren Balsamics has developed an extensive portfolio of natural, handmade fruit infused vinegars using locally sourced fruits, such as bramley apples, strawberries, blackberries blueberries and mint wherever possible.

The company introduced an innovative range of white vinegars last year which has proved a successful initiative.

Fine Food North is among the biggest food shows in Britain and is organised by the Guild of Fine Food. In addition to dozens of trade stands, the show, which is open to the public, features an extensive programme of cookery demonstrations by top chefs, as well as tastings and workshops.

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