Finnebrogue Secures another ‘Sizzling’ Deal with Asda

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Downpatrick-based meat processor, Finnebrogue Artisan, has been awarded a new UK-wide contract which will see it supply a range of own label ‘Extra Special’ Light & Lean Sausages to over 350 Asda stores.

Announced at the Balmoral Show, the new contract has a retail value of £2million and extends Finnebrogue’s existing national partnership with Asda from 2014, when it started supplying the entire Extra Special sausage range to the supermarket’s UK stores.

The addition of ‘Light & Lean’ to the 16-strong Extra Special range coincides with the start of the summer season when sausages sales traditionally spike. With almost seven million packs of Asda’s own-label premium  sausages expected to sell over the summer months alone, ‘Light & Lean’ provides a healthier, gluten-free alternative to the popular barbeque staple.

Made from top quality pork sourced from high-welfare farms across Northern Ireland the ‘Light & Lean’ sausages are low in fat, high in protein and contain only 71 kcals.

Paul Geary, Asda Snr Buying Manager, Meat said: “We’re always keen to support Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector and help local food companies grow their business through Asda’s national channels.”

“The Extra Special sausage range supplied by Finnebrogue has been an outstanding success since the contract was first announced at Balmoral in 2014. We’re delighted that our partnership continues to flourish and that we are marking the third anniversary by extending the range to include this premium, healthy option which reflects the ever changing needs of our customers.”

Over the past 12 months alone, the Extra Special range has won a number of prestigious awards including Product of the Year 2017.

Sarah Savage, Finnebrogue’s New Product Development Manager for Asda added: “We are proud to be one of Northern Ireland’s leading artisan food producers and have built our relationship with Asda thanks to our innovative approach, dedication to new product development and consistent quality.”

“Our Extra Special sausages have been a real success story and the addition of Light & Lean offers customers across the UK even more choice from a range they know they can rely on for quality and taste.”

(L-R) Paul Geary, Asda Snr Buying Manager, Meat, Sarah Savage, Finnebrogue’s New Product Development Manager for Asda and Michael McCallion, Asda Senior Buying Manager Northern Ireland and Scotland

Organic Raw Milk, Stoneground Chocolate and Cabrito win at Balmoral Show

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Organic Raw Milk from Weir’s Farm in Tandragee, Co. Armagh, NearyNogs Artisan Chocolate from Flurrybridge in Co. Armagh and Broughgammon Farm, which is based in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, tickled the taste buds of a panel of expert judges at this year’s Food NI Awards at Balmoral Show.

The awards, organised by Food NI, were presented at the opening day of the show, which features over 100 food and drink producers showcasing their products in the NI Food Pavilion, now one of the most popular attractions at the event.

The judging panel, chaired by Charles Campion, MasterChef judge, and comprising experienced food writers and food stylists Xanthe Clay, Lucas Hollweg and Jeremy Lee, were impressed by the “outstandingly fresh and rich taste” of the organic raw milk from Weir’s farm, a business owned by husband and wife team Deane and Kerrie Weir.

Weir’s Organic Raw Milk was part of the Food Heartland stand arranged by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council, and was awarded ‘Best Food and Drink Product’ in the pavilion.

Charles Campion, a food writer for the evening standard, said: “Weir’s Organic Raw Milk was a standout winner in this category. The taste was exceptional. We were also hugely impressed by the couple’s enthusiastic presentation and their friendly interaction with visitors. Being able to sell products professionally is an important skill especially for a smaller producer.”

The Weirs run a 70 acre -organic farm in the Armagh town and source milk from their herd of British Friesian cattle. They sell milk direct from the farm and also run a delivery service to customers. They began selling organic raw milk three years ago.

Kerrie Weir, commenting on the award, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved this recognition in what is our first presentation within the NI Food Pavilion. The comments from the judges about the taste and freshness of our raw milk are brilliant and a marvellous boost for our small business.”

The judges awarded the ‘Best Artisan Product’ to Shane Neary, who owns NearyNogs with wife Dorothy and specialises in producing Northern Ireland’s only handmade bean to bar chocolate at their small processing unit in Flurrybridge. The artisan business sources cocoa beans from single estate growers.

Lucas Hollweg, a food writer for the Times and Sunday Times, presenting the award to Shane Neary, said: “This is an impressive and genuine artisan enterprise that has a great story to tell, some superb chocolate and a tremendous commitment to growing the business steadily to ensure long-term sustainability. This is how artisan chocolate should taste.”

The ‘Best Stand Award’ was won by Broughgammon Farm in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, a specialist in artisan cabrito and rose veal meats.

Xanthe Clay, Daily Telegraph food writer, giving the award to Charlie Cole, who runs the small Broughgammon Farm with wife, Becky, and other family members, said: “I’ve tasted goat in many parts of the world and Broughgammon ranks among the best. The stand was dynamic and highly informative about cabrito and veal.

“It was great to see how they interacted with visitors, cooking cabrito and veal and explaining the benefits of the meats, especially in terms of taste, to visitors. It’s always good to see food being cooked for sampling. I am sure they made a great many convents to cabrito, a nutritious meat enjoyed in many parts of the world, at Balmoral. They were obvious winners because of the energy of their presentation, their strong branding and, above all, the outstanding flavours of their meats.”

The judges also commended Krazi Baker of Dromore, Co. Down, Lough Neagh Eels, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim, Peppup Sauces, Portaferry, Co. Down and Heatherlea Bakery, Bangor, Co. Down for the quality of their products. The judges were also impressed by the community focus and engagement of Clearer Water, Larne, Co. Antrim.

Sharon Machla, Food NI, added: “It’s tremendously encouraging to see so many smaller businesses recognised in this year’s awards. And it’s significant that two of the winners are from farm-based enterprises, demonstrating the hugely important link between farming and food. There’s tremendous dynamic and energy within the Food Pavilion, which indicates the strength of our most important industry.”

Slow Food Ambassador Paula McIntyre to host ‘Slow Food Lunch’ Event

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Northern Ireland has a unique culinary heritage with indigenous breads, fish from loughs, world class produce and progressive artisans contributing to the agri-food sector in the province.

Slow Food NI‘s aim is to work closely with farming and community groups to raise awareness of the global movement and increase membership. Its focus is to target schools and Further Education colleges directly to encourage young people to join.
It also wishes to raise awareness and funds for the 10,000 Gardens in Africa charity and to address food poverty and food waste issues.

Following on from previous success, Slow Food NI is excited to announce an upcoming special event with Paula McIntyre at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.
Chef, broadcaster and food writer Paula McIntyre, is Northern Ireland Director of Slow Food UK and coordinator of the Slow Food Chef Alliance in Northern Ireland.

‘Slow Food Lunch’ will be hosted in the Piano Restaurant of Belfast’s city centre Europa Hotel on Sunday 21st May at 1pm.
The event will showcase Ulster and Italian ingredients cooked by Paula and the Europa Chefs in association with Pizzolato Wines and Bianca & Mora, London.

Tickets: £60 (includes drink reception and membership to Slow Food NI for the year)
(£45 for Slow Food NI members)

All proceeds will go to Slow Food NI and Slow Food 10,000 Gardens in Africa charities. Please note this is a ticket only event.

Contact Paula McIntyre on paulamcintyre@hotmail.co.uk for tickets.

We’re open for business at Balmoral!

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Article written by Food NI CEO Michele Shirlow, featured in Farming Life

We’re open for business at Balmoral. And what a remarkable first day it proved to be. The show, now among the biggest and most important in the UK and Ireland, continues to gather strength.

Our Food NI Pavilion was exceptionally busy on the first day and looks certain to prove more popular than ever with visitors from Northern Ireland and from further afield. It’s certainly the biggest we’ve organised and will exceed all previous records when the show closes its doors on Saturday evening.  It’s a show we look forward to every year.

We’ve more than 100 local companies showing the broadest range of locally produced food and drink at the show, food that’s grown here and not flown here. The Food NI Pavilion, our biggest commitment, was exceptionally busy on the first day.

It is certainly the most significant platform for local food and drink and helps to increase awareness among the general public of the breadth of quality food and drink now readily available here from innovative producers. It’s also an important seed bed of talent and innovation for the dozens of industry buyers who scout the show for new products.

Thousands of visitors had an unprecedented opportunity to sample the best of our food and drink and to meet the people making the products. The craic, as they say, was mighty. There were thousands to be sampled…and purchased. I understand from our member companies in particular that business was brisk.

It’s a hard but rewarding four days for participating companies in the Food Pavilion. They put a lot into the event and richly deserve the rewards for their commitment and enthusiasm.

Most of the local retailers and other businesses are playing their part in showcasing the best of our food and drink to their contacts and the wider public. Creating awareness of the quality of our food and drink is among FoodNI’s most important roles. Balmoral came ‘hot on the heels’ of another successful presentation of local food at Garden Show Ireland in Antrim and ahead of the start of the annual round of agricultural shows and food festivals.

These are immensely important events for smaller companies in particular, because they provide selling occasions that generate cash for the winter months and funds they can invest in new marketing activities and additional products.

In addition to providing a showcase for local products, FoodNI also counts on the skills of local chefs to help demonstrate innovative ways to enjoy local food and drink.
Over many years, we’ve been able to count on them for our culinary demonstrations at Balmoral. They are working with us again this year on our new Tasting theatre….and we greatly appreciate their support. We also welcome the engagement this year of Jean-Christophe Novelli, among the biggest international names in the culinary work.

He’ll be on our kitchens on Saturday and will be creating original dishes from the best of local produce. It’s tremendously encouraging to have Jean-Christophe now part of the Northern Ireland food team…and to see him committed to working with local suppliers in creating his unique Mediterranean-style dishes and contributing to our burgeoning reputation as a global food and drink centre.

I hope you will take the opportunity to visit this wonderful show and sample the very best of local produce.

Northern Ireland Triumphant at Irish Restaurant Awards!

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Last night, the Restaurants Association of Ireland held its ninth All-Ireland Irish Restaurant Awards at The Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin and named the top restaurants in Ireland for 2017.

Over 900 restaurateurs and staff attended the sold out, black tie event which celebrated the hard work and achievements within the industry over the last 12 months.
Guests were treated to a lavish six course gala dinner prepared by a team of five chefs. The Awards Chef Team is hand-picked by the Restaurants Association each year and is made up of winning chefs from the previous year’s awards with each Chef representing a region of Ireland.

Taste of Ulster members came out on top at the awards with Danni Barry of Deanes EIPIC, Belfast taking home the 2017 All-Ireland Best Chef title.

Originally from Mayobridge, Co Down Danni Barry is Ireland’s only Michelin-starred female chef and won the prestigious All-Ireland Best Chef at last night’s awards. Fellow Taste of Ulster member, Ox Belfast’s Alain Kerloc’h picked up the accolade of All-Ireland Best Restaurant Manager. That wasn’t the only award for Alain and his team as Ox Cave was awarded the accolade of Best Wine Experience in Ireland.
Continuing the success in Belfast, The Muddler’s Club, picked up the All-Ireland award for Best Casual Dining.

The Walled City Brewery, a unique restaurant and brewhouse located in Ebrington Square, Derry-Londonderry was named Best Gastro Pub at the awards while the city’s Lost & Found was named Best Cafe respectively in Ireland.

Speaking at the awards, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins commented, “This is the ninth and most successful year of the Irish Restaurant Awards to date. These Awards are the accolades of the Irish restaurant industry – everybody wants to win one. From over 70,000 online nominations cast earlier this year to 2,500 guests attending our regional events, it is clear that the stature, calibre and reputation of the awards is expanding at a considerable rate and it is all in aid of recognising the talent within our sector. All winners and finalists here tonight are very deserving of their awards.”

The full list of regional and All-Ireland winners is as follows;

Best Restaurant – Sponsored by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits and Astoria Wines

  • All -Ireland – Chapter One, Dublin
  • Dublin – Chapter One, Dublin
  • Connaught – Kai Café & Restaurant, Galway
  • Leinster – Sha-Roe Bistro, Carlow
  • Munster – Wild Honey Inn, Clare
  • Ulster – MacNean House & Restaurant, Cavan

Best Chef – Sponsored by Pallas Foods

  • All -Ireland – Danni Barry of Deanes EIPIC, Antrim
  • Dublin – Ciaran Sweeney of Forest & Marcy, Dublin
  • Connaught – Shamzuri Hanifa of The Cottage Restaurant, Leitrim
  • Leinster – Gary O’Hanlon of VM Restaurant at Viewmount House, Longford
  • Munster – Keith Boyle of The Bay Tree Bistro, Waterford
  • Ulster – Danni Barry of Deanes EIPIC, Antrim 

Best Restaurant Manager – Tindal Wine Merchants

  • All -Ireland – Alain Kerloc’h of OX, Antrim
  • Dublin – John Healy of Suesey Street, Dublin

Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Bushmills

  • All -Ireland – Morrissey’s, Laois
  • Dublin – The Long Hall, Dublin
  • Connaught – John Morans Bar, Mayo
  • Leinster – Morrissey’s, Laois
  • Munster – Davy Macs, Waterford
  • Ulster – The Coach House & Olde Bar, Monaghan

Best Hotel Restaurant – Sponsored by Elavon

  • All -Ireland – The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel, Clare
  • Dublin – The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
  • Connaught – Wildes at the Lodge, Mayo
  • Leinster – Ballyfin Demesne, Laois
  • Munster – The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel, Clare
  • Ulster – St Kyrans Country House Restaurant, Cavan

Best Newcomer – Sponsored by BWG Food Service

  • All -Ireland – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
  • Dublin – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
  • Connaught – Cian’s On Bridge Street, Mayo
  • Leinster – Three Old Bar & Restaurant, Louth
  • Munster – Holy Smoke, Cork
  • Ulster – Bull & Ram, Down 

Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Coca-Cola HBC

  • All -Ireland – Walled City Brewery, Derry
  • Dublin – The Exchequer, Dublin
  • Connaught – Keenans of Tarmonbarry Gastro Bar, Roscommon
  • Leinster – Mary Barry’s Bar, Wexford
  • Munster – Morrissey’s Bar and Restaurant, Clare
  • Ulster – Walled City Brewery, Derry

Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzuro

  • All -Ireland – The Maigue Restaurant at Dunraven Arms Hotel, Limerick
  • Dublin – Chapter One, Dublin
  • Connaught – Library Restaurant at Belleek Castle, Mayo
  • Leinster – LENNONS @ VISUAL, Carlow
  • Munster – The Maigue Restaurant at Dunraven Arms Hotel, Limerick
  • Ulster – MacNean House & Restaurant, Cavan 

Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by S. Pellegrino

  • All -Ireland – The Muddlers Club, Antrim
  • Dublin – Etto, Dublin
  • Connaught – Bar One, Mayo
  • Leinster – Wild and Native, Wexford
  • Munster – Momo Restaurant, Waterford
  • Ulster – The Muddlers Club, Antrim 

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by CLASSICdrinks

  • All -Ireland – OX Cave, Antrim
  • Dublin – Etto, Dublin
  • Connaught – Sheridans Cheesemongers – Wine Bar, Galway
  • Leinster – Greenacres, Wexford
  • Munster – L’Atitude51 Wine Café, Cork
  • Ulster – OX Cave, Antrim

Best Kids Size Me – Sponsored by Heinz Ireland

  • All -Ireland – Café Rua, Mayo
  • Dublin – Farmhill, Dublin 

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by Dubliner Cheese

  • All -Ireland – Wa Café, Galway
  • Dublin – 777, Dublin 

Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by CLASSICdrinks

  • All -Ireland – OX Cave, Antrim
  • Dublin – Etto, Dublin
  • Connaught – Sheridans Cheesemongers – Wine Bar, Galway
  • Leinster – Greenacres, Wexford
  • Munster – L’Atitude51 Wine Café, Cork
  • Ulster – OX Cave, Antrim 

Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by Dubliner Cheese

  • All -Ireland – Wa Café, Galway
  • Dublin – 777, Dublin 

Best Café – Sponsored by Illy Caffe

  • All -Ireland – Lost & Found, Derry
  • Dublin – Meet Me in the Morning, Dublin 

Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Rewarding Times

  • All -Ireland – Michael Kelly of GROW HQ, Waterford
  • Dublin – Brid & Colm Carter of Honest2Goodness, Dublin 

Best Emerging Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by Odaois

  • All -Ireland – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
  • Dublin – Forest & Marcy, Dublin 

Best Digital Marketing – Sponsored by Open Table

  • All -Ireland – Two Boys Brew, Dublin

Best Cookery School – Sponsored by Avonmore

  • All -Ireland – Riot Rye Bakehouse & Bread School, Tipperary

Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant – Sponsored by Laurent Perrier

  • All -Ireland – Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Galway 

Best Seafood Experience – Sponsored by Restaurants Association of Ireland

  • All -Ireland – Fish Shop Queen St, Dublin 

Best Cocktail Experience– Sponsored by Ketel One Vodka

  • All -Ireland – Candlelight Bar at Siam Thai Dundrum, Dublin

High Five! NI foods shortlisted in Delicious Produce Awards

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Five Northern Irish food products from four local producers have reached the finals of the delicious. Produce Awards 2017. Delicious is among the UK’s biggest consumer food and drink magazines.

The competition is organised by delicious food magazine to celebrate the quality and innovation of UK food and the links between farming and food production.

The Northern Ireland Finalists are:

Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, a farm-based dairy business from Bangor, county Down. Clandeboye is Northern Ireland’s only yoghurt producer. It qualified for the final stages for the quality of its Greek-style handcrafted yoghurt.

Krazi Baker of Dromore, county Down, a specialist in traditional Northern Irish griddle-baked breads such as potato cakes and soda farls. It was shortlisted for two artisan products – Guanciale Potato Bread using Guanciale from Hannan Meats in Moira, county Antrim. The second product was a Cinnamon Soda Farl with Whiskey Soaked Sultanas.

Mash Direct of Comber, county Down, a farm-based market leader in vegetable and convenience dishes. It was chosen for its Crispy Vegetable Bakes, a gluten-free, vegetarian product.

Cavanagh Free Range Eggs, a Newtownbutler, county Fermanagh farm renowned for its uniquely flavoured free range eggs.

MashDirectMorrisons

The regional judges were Sam Butler, food journalist and member of the Guildof Food Writers; Director of Folktown Community Interest Company Sophie Rasmussen, who helped to set up the new Folktown Market in Belfast; and chef, broadcaster and food writer Paula McIntyre, who is also Northern Ireland Director of Slow Food UK and coordinator of the Slow Food Chef Alliance in Northern Ireland.

The regional finalists will be judged at the national final in July by some of the top names in the food industry. The winning products and producers will be announced online and in the magazine’s October 2017 issue, and then featured throughout the year.