Spooky Black Bread from the Krazibaker

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Food NI member Krazi Baker, an expert in traditional griddle baking techniques, has launched a new artisan Black Bread.

The handcrafted bread is based on a recipe Krazibaker, also known as Mark Douglas, developed for a banquet scene in the hugely popular Game of Thrones TV series. He’s now baking the new bread for retail sales across Northern Ireland.

Based at Dromore in county Down, Krazibaker has developed a successful portfolio on traditional Northern Irish breads, such as soda farls, potato cakes and potato apple, handmade products which have won UK Great Taste Awards. 

Referring to the new Black Bread, he says: “I was approached by the people at Castleward, a National Trust property on Strangford Lough, which is one of the locations in Northern Ireland for Game of Thrones, to come up with a totally different bread for one of the show’s banquet scenes, something dark and brooding in keeping with the show.

“I created a unique Black Bread from three types of flour – white, rye and wholemeal and added honey, Guinness with butter, eggs and yeast. It has a very earthy but moist taste and is particularly well-suited as an accompaniment for stews, soups or with a casserole. Halloween, of course, is an ideal time to introduce a spooky Black Bread! Bread lovers can now experience the new loaf for themselves,” he adds.

Krazibaker has been leading a campaign in Northern Ireland to revive interest in traditional griddle breads including treacle farls and soda breads with ingredients such as chorizo, guanciale, bacon and cheese. He’s also won awards for his traditional Northern Irish shortbread.

As well as traditional griddle breads, he’s also developed sourdough loaves in line with market demand. “There is a growing awareness of the benefits of sourdough in Northern Ireland, Britain and the Republic of Ireland,” he says.

He also runs Northern Ireland’s only bakery school specialising in traditional Irish breads and in sourdough production.

He’s already selling the sourdough loaves at food festivals and farmers’ markets across Northern Ireland.

Fish City Wins UK Top Three Good Catch – Sustainable Award

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Award winning Fish City goes forward to represent Northern Ireland as they are presented with the UK’s Top 3 GOOD CATCH Sustainable Award, organised by Seafish.

The award ceremony will be held in London during January 2018, and both John and Grainne Lavery of Fish City are delighted that the business has received this incredible recognition.

“Sustainability is central to our Policy on protecting the environment at Fish City”, says Grainne of the ground-breaking fish and chip restaurant & takeaway. “We have worked hard to ensure our customers and partners are fully informed, as we promote sustainability, ethically sourced seafood and of course health and wellbeing.

“We designed a Fish City ‘Kids Club’ partnering with local schools. We educate the children on these issues while encouraging them to try the different kinds of sustainable seafood, and of course have some fun!”

Fish City has already achieved several awards this year, among which are Seafood Restaurant of the year and runner up on the Sustainable Tourism Award. Just last week it was announced they also won Top 3 UK Healthy Eating award.

“When we change our menu, we take great care and attention to ensure the seafood we chose in our dishes are MSC certified and MCS ethically sourced”, says John. He continued, “We need to have an absolute guarantee that stock from any designated area is sustainable before we decide to use it.

“We can source details including where it was caught right down to what ship it came in on! It is all about full traceability and provenance. We also research on the MSC Good Fish Guide to confirm if there have been any changes to the recommendations and ratings of the seafood we use.

“We strongly believe it is important to ensure that oceans and fish stocks are secure for future generations.  Supporting sustainability and looking after the environment is ultimately good for everyone, including our customers.”

The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 30th anniversary ceremony will be held in London on 25 January 2018. For further information on Fish City Belfast go to www.fish-city.com or follow on @fishcitybelfast or #fishcitybelfast,  http://www.fishandchipawards.com/news .

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Millbrook Lodge Chef Wins UK Heat Of World Pesto Championships

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Gerard Sands, Head Chef from the Millbrook Lodge Hotel in Ballynahinch has won the UK Heat of the World Pesto Championships. Ten people competed for the prize at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast. They included chefs, food producers, home cooks and catering students.

They had to use pestles and mortars to make the traditional Italian sauce which contains olive oil, garlic, basil, pine nuts and seasoning.  Participants had 30 minutes to make their pesto.

The heat took place at the recently opened Titanic hotel’s restaurant and adjoining cocktail bar. The winner will go to Genoa in Italy to take part in the finals of the Seventh World Pesto Championships.

Reacting to his win, Gerard Sands said

“It was great to be asked by Food NI to participate in this international competition. It is fantastic to compete beside such esteemed chefs and amazing food producers and it is so good that the event was hosted in this spectacular venue, Titanic Hotel.

“I am delighted to represent our chefs in the final and I want to thank Food NI for bring these illustrious events to Northern Ireland, raising the profile of Northern Irish food.’

Michael McGarrity (home cook) came second. Andy Provan, Head Chef at Deane’s Meatlocker came third.

The event was brought to Belfast by the Associazione Culturale Dei Palatifini from Italy in conjunction with Food NI. Italian judge Roberto Panizza was in Belfast to decide on the winner.

Local drinks producers Hercules Brewing, JawBox Gin, Ruby Blue and Farmaggedon Brewery gave out samples to visitors and spectators.

Family Bakery, Donnellys, Wins Bakery Of The Year Award

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Donnellys Bakery in Ballycastle are celebrating winning the ” Bakery of the Year award”  at the Neighbourhood Retailer  awards ceremony in Belfast . Fighting off stiff competition they gained the award for being ” a fantastic bakery with a unique range of traditional breads , cakes and pastries and a great staff who add to a fantastic customer experienece ”

Eugene Donnelly – owner said ” Getting this award is testimony to the great staff we have,  bakers and counter staff , as well as quality local suppliers providing the fresh ingredients  and of  customers who have been supporting us for almost 40 years . ”   We are delighted to see another recognition of quality and service coming to Ballycastle backing its title of Best place to live .”

The Morning After The Slice Before

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Stars of the bread-baking world gathered together at St John’s Church, Hyde Park on Tuesday 17 October 2017 for the much-anticipated announcement of the winners of Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Stephen Hallam, Master Baker, Managing Director of Dickinson & Morris and Chair of the Judges who was delighted to declare Tom Mullin & Eimear Mullin of Thyme & Co, Ballycastle, Antrim as Winner of the Irish Wheaten Loaf category.

James Herron from the Cookie Jar, Newcastle, County Down was runner-up for his Traditional Wheaten Bannock.

“The field was more competitive than ever,” says Hallam, whose fellow judges, all 86 of them, included Charles Campion, Food Critic, Dr John Foster of BBC’s Victorian Bakers and Andrew Whitley, Founder, The Real Bread Campaign.

On the judges remarks about Tom’s Wheaten, they said, “they were impressed by the look of the bread, it had a good crust, and they would find it difficult to suggest any improvements!”

Tom beat off competition from hundreds of loaves sent in from around the United Kingdom and Ireland – delivered by courier, taxi and in person on the morning of the judging at Cathedral Hall, Westminster Cathedral, to ensure maximum freshness.

Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food, launched in January 2013, seek to celebrate the very best of British bread baking. “The choice, range and quality of bread in Britain today is immense,” says Caroline Kenyon, Director of the Awards.

Are you Britain’s Best Cook?

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At a time when British cooking has never been more varied, inspiring or of such high quality, this series will test the real-life expertise of truly great home cooks and will celebrate the food people make for their loved ones every single day.

Mary Berry is returning to her first love; with more than 75 cookery books to her name, her authority in the home kitchen is beyond question and she is the natural choice for the lead judge. Taking the reins as host is Claudia Winkleman.

A search for a second judge is underway. They will be joining Mary to help hunt out those whose talents, until now, have been hidden away.
Mary Berry says: “I am never more at home than when I have my judging hat on. This series is going to encourage proper home cooking which I have always championed and I cannot wait to start. Claudia, for me, is the icing on the cake.” 

Claudia Winkleman says: “I am over the moon to be part of this show. Am slightly obsessed with Mary so will follow her around with my own moussaka for most of the filming. Apologies in advance.”

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, says: “Home cooking has quietly become one of the nation’s favourite obsessions and so there is no better place than BBC One to compete for this crown. The queen of all judges Mary Berry will be the indisputable head judge, with the irresistible Claudia Winkleman hosting proceedings. But, who will be Mary’s judging partner? The search is on!”

Over eight episodes, the ten contestants will need to demonstrate skill under pressure and individual flair, as they’re asked to serve the most perfect version of dishes that define modern British home cooking as well as create their special take on well-loved classics.

The judges will be looking for dishes that define a new benchmark of excellence, whether it’s roast beef with the perfect roast potatoes, an ingenious twist on chicken curry or an irresistible chocolate pudding.

Each challenge will reveal new tips and techniques as the competing cooks battle to prove that they have the skills and repertoire, technical ability, resourcefulness and creativity to get through to the final and be crowned Britain’s Best Cook.

For more information on the show and to apply visit http://britainsbestcook.co.uk/