Belfast Waterfront Secure Alcohol Licence For Good Food Show

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Exciting News For BBC Good Food Show Belfast

Food NI and RiverStreet Events are delighted to share that the Belfast Waterfront have secured a licence for their venue for the upcoming BBC Good Food Show Belfast, 10 – 12 November.

This will now enable alcohol exhibitors to sell bottles of alcohol through an onsite off licence located close to the exhibition stand space.

This is an exciting development for the Show, the venue, exhibitors and visitors!
The Show is set to attract over 12,500 foodies and will feature a new and improved floorplan with the addition of a spacious ground floor hall to showcase your product.

Get in touch now to book a stand and take advantage of retailing your alcohol products – we will do our best to find a stand that suits your requirements.

For more information on the new opportunity, call Christine today on 028 90 249 449 or email Christine@nigoodfood.com

Move Over Strictly – Pick Your Partner For The Punjana Tea Dances

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Jamie Thompson of Thompson’s Family Teas was in Belfast recently to kick off the hugely popular Punjana Tea Dance series of events which are set to take place in venues across the city during the month of October.

The Punjana Tea Dances form part of Positive Ageing Month during which classes, workshops, events and activities, all aimed at those aged 60 and over, will be staged.

Jamie Thompson commented: “We have been delighted to see how popular the Punjana Tea Dances have become since they were first launched in 2013, and also how much enjoyment they bring to local communities.

Punjana, born and blended in Belfast since 1896, is proud to have played a very special part in the history of the city, and the series of Punjana Tea Dances offers a fabulous opportunity to relive the glorious dance hall days.”

Amy Quigley from Belfast proved to be the perfect partner to help kick off the series of events.

People can get their dancing shoes on and enjoy a cuppa on the following dates:

  • Belfast Castle – Wednesday 11th October 12pm – 2pm and 3pm – 5pm
  • Grosvenor Hall, Glengall Street – Monday 23rd October 12pm – 2pm and 3pm – 5pm
  • East Belfast Network Centre, Templemore Avenue – Thursday 26th October 2pm-4pm

For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/seniors or see brochures which have been distributed widely throughout the city.

Local producers celebrate stunning success at Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards

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Local producers from the Causeway Coast and Glens have proved they’re among the best in Ireland.

In a stunning performance at the Blas na hEireann Irish Food awards, six finalists from the region collected a total of 14 awards.

This included the award for Best New Product which went to Lacada Brewery for their Devil’s Washtub dark ale, named after a rocky inlet on the east side of Ramore Head.

Reflecting on the success, which saw the co-operative collect five accolades, Head Brewer Laurie Davis said: “We were stunned when we won five awards. Very few producers achieved that. I am so pleased for all the co-owners who took a leap of faith when we were starting up and who also put in so much hard work for the brewery. To win Best New Product in Ireland is a great reward for them all.”

For Alastair Crown from Corndale Farm, participation in the awards has opened up some very exciting avenues. Speaking after winning a gold and silver, he said: “We all work so hard to produce unique and high quality products. We were totally overwhelmed when we won the awards and to also receive “Best in Derry” is a huge accolade for us. The real work starts now. We have had a lot of interest from some really high quality chefs and retailers, Harrods and Selfridges to name a few. It is key for us now to build on the success of the awards and really get our award winning produce out there and see sales increase. Exciting times!”

Linda Christie from Ballinteer Farm came home from Dingle with three trophies – the farm’s quail eggs were selected in the Chef’s Choice Category, while their quail meat received a bronze and Best In Farmer’s Market. She is already reaping rewards from their performance: “We have generated new sales already and product enquiries are coming in.  It was a great networking experience and a platform for our products.”

Broighter Gold’s cold pressed oil won a bronze award in its category, and owner Leona Kane said it was a fantastic experience: “There was a lot in our section, so to win anything in Dingle was a huge success for our family business.   But it is also about the networking, and people that you meet when you are away that all add to sales and connecting with the right people.”

For Glenballyeamon Eggs, it certainly was a weekend to remember. Along with a silver award for its free range eggs, the company was also named Best Agri Business at the Causeway Coast and Glens Business Awards. Owner Niall Delargy said: “We are delighted to announce that we have received these prestigious awards, along with back to back Great Taste Awards through the Guild of Fine Food in 2016 and 2017.”

If you’re looking for the best frozen yogurt in Ireland, then Coleraine is the place to go. Morelli’s strawberry frozen yogurt, which is made in the town, scooped gold in its category. Arnaldo Morelli, who attended the awards in Dingle, County Kerry, with his brother Marino, said: “This accolade is testament to the dedication and hard work of both our staff and suppliers. The quality of Clandeboye Estate’s yoghurt complements the strawberries rippled through it perfectly to give our Strawberry Frozen Yogurt its delicious, refreshing and award winning taste.”

All of the successful finalists are members of Causeway Coast and Glens Food Network. It brings together local producers from across the region, and offers a range of support avenues.

To find out more or to get involved email foodnetwork@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Hey Pesto! Northern Ireland Pesto Championship Heat Returns to Northern Ireland

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Do you know your way around a pestle and mortar?  Are you a lover of the classic Genoese sauce, pesto?  If so, why not enter this year’s Northern Ireland heat of the World Pesto Championships on Tuesday 24 October.

This year’s heat will take place in the Drawing Office function room at the recently opened Titanic Hotel Belfast where many of the designs for the world’s most famous ocean liners, including RMS Titanic where dreamt of and designed.
Supporters of this year’s Northern Ireland Heat, the Titanic Hotel Belfast is located in the former headquarters of Harland & Wolff, and provides the perfect destination for anyone travelling to Belfast to discover the city’s maritime heritage.
Guests at the hotel are within walking distance of award-winning attractions Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic or Thompson Dock, where the RMS Titanic was constructed and built over 100 years ago.

Following the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink in 2016, where award-winning producers, restaurateurs and agri-food industries were showcased to the world, there has never been a better time to get involved with this year’s competition and share in the civic pride of Northern Ireland’s food and drink offering.

Organisers are expecting hundreds of spectators at the event creating quite the pesto buzz across Northern Ireland.

The final of the World Championship of Pesto will be held in Genoa in April, 2018, where the winner of the Northern Ireland heat will participate against other finalists to be crowned the World Champion.

The competition is open to everyone from chefs to home cooks. All you have to do is stick to the age-old recipe which uses oil, basil, garlic, pine nuts and salt. Machinery is not allowed – just you, a pestle, mortar and a little bit of va-va-voom. All equipment and ingredients will be provided on the day.

The heat commences at 1.30pm, followed by judging from a specialist panel.

Supported by Food NI, the event is open to the public and will feature a select number of food and drink producers showcasing their produce and offering samples on the day.

For more information on the event and to enter, email Christine on christine@nigoodfood.com.

For media queries about the event, please contact Rachel at rachel@nigoodfood.com or 07710701200.

Food NI Members Win At Blas na hEireann

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Food NI members took home clutches of awards from the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards in Dingle, Co. Kerry at the weekend.
Susie Hamilton Stubber from Burren Balsamics was named Best Artisan for her Blackberry and Thyme-infused vinegar. She also received Best in Armagh and the inaugural Shane McArdle Best in Ulster Award.

Lacada Brewery Co-Op from Portrush in Antrim won the prestigious Best New Product prize and a Gold award for their Devil’s Washtub Ale as well as Silver and Bronze for their Utopian and Whiskey Barrel Aged Stouts.
Claire Kelly from Passion Preserved won Gold for her Kasundi Pickle and picked up a E5000 bursary from Shelf Life magazine with Corndale Farm’s Alastair Crown coming away with Gold for his fennel salami and Silver for chorizo and was also named Best in Derry producer. 

There were also Golds for Hannan Meats in Moira for Himalayan Salt–Aged Steak Striploin, Sauce Works’ French Dressing, Crossgar; Erin Grove Preserves Classic Lemon Curd, Enniskillen; Morelli’s Luxury Strawberry Frozen Yoghurt, Portrush; White’s Speedicook Oats’ Aldi Kavanaghs Organic Porridge Oats, Tandragee; Armagh Cider Company’s Spiced Apple Juice, Portadown and Silver for their Doyles Autumn Berry Cider.
Gold Awards were also given for Brambleberry Jam’s Sea Salted Caramel Sauce, Lisburn, Hercules Brewing Company’s Yardsman Lager and Punjana Ltd’s Thompson’s Irish Breakfast Tea, Belfast.

Moy Park’s Dunnes Stores Smokey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, Craigavon took home a Silver Award. Long Meadow Cider from Portadown took Bronze for their Medium Cider as did their Blossom Burst blend.
Ballyriff Buffalo Farm, Magherafelt gained a Silver award for its Buffalo Burgers. There were also Silvers for Clandeboye Estate for Aldi’s Specially Selected Authentically Strained Greek Style Yoghurt with Mandarin and Lime.

There were Bronze Awards for Ballinteer Quail Farm Meat, Coleraine, Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, Limavady, Papas Mineral Company’s Classic Peppermint Cordial, Bangor, Duvillaun Fine Foods’ Sea Salt, Waringstown, Red Dog Artisan Foods’ Spanish Lemon Infused Sea Salt, Kilkeel, Glastry Farm’s Raspberry Ruffle Sorbet, Kircubbin and Genesis Crafty from Magherafelt’s Super Valu and Centra Tea Brack.

Harnett’s Oils were Best in Farmers Market for Down and Clandeboye Yoghurt won Best in Down.
Quinns Gelato won Best in Tyrone and Kennedy Bacon won Best in Farmers Market for Tyrone. Armagh Cider Company also won Best in Armagh. Cavanagh Free Range Eggs from Fermanagh won a Gold Chef’s Larder Award. Springmount Farm Eggs took a Joint Silver Chef’s Larder with Glenballyeamon Eggs. Carol’s Stock Market won a Chef’s Choice Award for her Chicken Stock.

Morelli’s Win Gold At Blas Na hEireann Irish Food Awards

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Northern Ireland’s famous family-owned ice cream brand, Morelli’s, has scooped a top prize at the 10th Blas na h’Éireann Irish Food Awards that took place at the weekend in Dingle, County Kerry.

The brand’s Strawberry Frozen Yoghurt was awarded best product in the Frozen Yogurts category. Made in Coleraine, the fruity favourite combines locally produced Clandeboye Estate Greek Yoghurt rippled with strawberries to create a winning flavour.

The Blas na h’Éireann Irish Food Awards is the biggest competition for Irish produce on the island of Ireland, with 2,500 products entering this year’s competition. The Awards celebrate and reward the very best of Irish produce and the passionate, driven individuals behind it. With gold, silver and bronze medals awarded across over 100 food and drink categories, the Awards focus solely on taste with winners chosen as a result of blind taste tests by Ireland’s top food experts.

Arnaldo Morelli, who heads up the family business and collected the award alongside his brother Marino, said: “This accolade is testament to the dedication and hard work of both our staff and suppliers. The quality of Clandeboye Estate’s yoghurt complements the strawberries rippled through it perfectly to give our Strawberry Frozen Yogurt its delicious, refreshing and award winning taste. Our frozen yogurt range had its best sales to date this year and we’re looking forward to introducing delicious new flavours into the range in 2018.”