With local fayre increasingly important to shoppers, Tesco NI wants to continue to support the local best artisan innovation.

Tesco NI can offer Food NI artisans “pop-up shop” opportunities in their foyers. This “pop-up” shop opportunity could help you get your products in front of Tesco shoppers – both to collect research and also to sell, plus hopefully, on the shelves should you wish to and are ready to go down that path.
A recent participant was the Italian artisan product PEPPUP, a delicious alternative to the table staple, tomato ketchup.

“Tesco NI has been an invaluable partner in helping my PEPPUP sauces reach people who love good food. It’s been such a valuable test marketing platform for smaller producers like me,” Luca Montorio said.

To be able to give a helping hand to the next generation of local food and drink businesses is something that lies at the heart of Tesco Northern Ireland’s ongoing commitment to the region’s food and drink industry.

There is no fee to participate in this scheme. It simply involves you manning your own stand/table in a Tesco NI foyer, sampling/selling/conducting research on your products as suits your own objectives.

If you would like to enquire about participating in the Tesco “pop-up” shop opportunity, please email caoimhe.mannion@uk.tesco.com enclosing your accreditation documents (minimum requirement is SALSA please).

Caoimhe will seek approval for your participation in the scheme through her Technical Manager looking at your paperwork, and get back to you with details of how to take this interest further.

On Sunday 9th April 2017 in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, more than 1,100 went the distance to complete the Dale Farm Protein Milk TQ10K, now in its 11th year.

Dale Farm kept runners in the 10k road race hydrated with Dale Farm Protein Milk at the finish line – celebrating the dairy company’s sponsorship of the event.

Caroline Martin, Head of Marketing at Dale Farm, said:

“Well done to all of the runners who competed in the Dale Farm Protein Milk TQ10K. As the producer of the UK’s first fresh protein milk, Dale Farm is committed to supporting both professional athletes and sports enthusiasts though events such as this.

“Providing 25g of protein per 500ml serving, Dale Farm Protein Milk is ideal for those aiming to increase their protein intake quickly and conveniently both pre and post workout with 50% more natural milk protein than regular milk – and it was great to see so many runners enjoying Dale Farm Protein Milk at the finish line!”

High-end retailer Fortnum and Mason in London has launched a new Glenarm Shorthorn branded premium burger from Northern Ireland.

The burger has been developed for the top retailer by Hannan Meats in Moira, county Down from quality beef aged in its unique complex of Himalayan salt chambers.

The premium burger is a further development of Hannan’s longstanding relationship with the prestigious retailer for a wide range of high quality beef, much of which is sourced from the Glenarm Estate in county Antrim.

“The Glenarm branded burger is the outcome of our collaboration with Fortnum and Mason on a range of premium added value products from beef from Glenarm Estate, which now has a growing following among customers from our immensely important contract for beef aged in salt chambers,” says Peter Hannan, founder and managing director of Hannan Meats, a multi-award winning processor of beef, bacon and lamb.

“We’ve been focusing resources for some time on developing exceptional burgers from quality meat that offer an excellent taste experience. I believed we’ve created an outstandingly tasty burger from the very best beef.

“The burger has become such an important element in home cooking and especially in restaurants. I’ve long believed that there were opportunities to create a truly exceptional burger for both quality restaurants and retailing.

“Fortnum and Mason sampled the new product and placed a contract for the burgers which we are launching under the Glenarm Shorthorn brand.”

Fortnum and Mason has exclusive retail rights to the new Glenarm Shorthorn burger.

Hannan Meats is the only food producer in Britain and Ireland to win the Supreme Champion title on two occasions in the influential UK Great Taste Awards. Hannan, in fact, has also won more gold awards in the Great Taste Awards than any other business in the UK and Ireland.

Hannan Meats, now recognised as among the most creative meat processors, also developed a premium burger for the Stock Burger restaurant chain established by Intercontinental Hotels, one of the world’s biggest foodservice and hospitality organisations. It was recipient of Best Signature Burger at the National Burger Awards within six weeks of launching.

Kettyle Irish Foods in Northern Ireland has partnered with Guinness to launch a premium beef burger for selected retailers and hospitality outlets across Ireland and other parts of Europe.

Succulent and sustainable, the mouth-watering burger marries the very best and most flavourful cuts of beef from Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea, county Fermanagh, laced with the indisputable taste of Guinness, the world’s original and favourite stout.

The Kettyle Guinness premium beef burger is available in two, four, eight and 20 packs, both fresh and frozen.

Speaking at the launch of the new premium burger, Maurice Kettyle, the founder and managing director of Kettyle Irish Foods, said: “Our courtship with Guinness has been a lengthy one but we’ve enjoyed every step and are so delighted to be celebrating this union.

“We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Guinness.”

Kettyle Irish Foods, part of Fane Valley Group, Northern Ireland’s biggest farmers’ co-operative, is a specialist in dry-aged beef and other premium meat products. The company was established in 2004 by Mr. Kettyle, an experienced meat processor and marketer.

The Northern Irish company, now a major supplier of beef and other meats to top retailers and restaurants in many parts of Europe as well as the Middle East, has won a string of national awards, including UK Great Taste Awards, for its dry-aged steak products including those aged in the Northern Ireland company’s unique salt moss chamber.

The new premium burger is the first in a series of many combined products planned in Kettyle and Guinness.

Could you be the first-ever Tiptree Patisserie Trainee Baker 2017?

If you are an apprentice baker or studying to become a baker, this is your great chance to prove yourself at the Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food 2017!

Tiptree Patisserie, the fast-growing baking arm of Tiptree, preserve makers in Essex by royal appointment, is sponsoring a new category especially for the young up and coming stars of the baking world.

“We are really delighted to support this category,” says Daren McGrath, Managing Director of Tiptree Patisserie. Indeed, it was McGrath who conceived the idea, on his journey back to Essex on the train after a long day’s judging at the 2016 Awards.

“At Tiptree Patisserie, we take the training of young people very seriously and I feel it’s really important the Tiptree World Bread Awards have a dedicated category to recognise the hard work and talent of that sector which sits between young enthusiasts and professional bakers.”

The Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food are now in their fifth flour-dusted year, and there will be 100 judges making their way to Cathedral Hall, Westminster Cathedral in September to nibble, munch and debate their way through the hundreds of loaves submitted.

Entry Criteria:
2 loaves to be submitted which will be judged as a pair: one x 454g White Tin loaf and one x 454g Wholemeal Tin loaf. For the purposes of this competition, ‘Trainee’ is defined as an Apprentice Baker or a student (full or part-time) currently attending a baking course at a recognised United Kingdom bakery school or college

For more information, please contact: Sue Richmond, email: sue@thefoodawardscompany.co.uk or mobile: 07708 690707