Festive foodies will have their appetites whetted with a unique alternative to traditional seasonal fayre thanks to a food tour celebrating the legacy and delicacy of the native Foyle Oyster which takes place in Derry on Sunday, December 11th from 7pm-9.30pm.

The event, which is being organised by Wild Strands Ltd, an innovative seaweed food adventure company based at the Creative Hub in Building Eighty81, Ebrington, will be led by your guide and seaweed chef William McElhinney, aka ‘The Seaweed Man’. It is funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council through the Tier 2 Industry Engagement Programme for Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 and celebrates Tourism NI’s theme of ‘Legacy and Learn to…’

William explained: “The Foyle Oyster is the pearl of the North West food scene, a gourmet delight, but sadly rarely experienced here because of its esteemed market value internationally. The intention is to create a multi-sensory festive celebration of locally sourced seasonal and wild produce. The tour will also explore the Foyle Oyster’s heritage as an important food resource for past generations and explain how Irish emigration influenced the food culture of America.”

The evening begins at Building 80/81, Ebrington, where guests will be greeted with festive homemade non-alcoholic seaweed punch and tasters, accompanied with music by a local harpist. There will be a talk by William and the first viewing of drone video footage created especially for the event by Little Films of wild oysters being fished in the Foyle.

The tour will then move next door to the Walled City Brewery in Ebrington Square for a talk by Master Brewer James Huey and the opportunity to sample a selection of their beers including Kicks, Derry Milk and Wit. Native oysters will be served from handcrafted wicker baskets and accompanied with William’s wild dipping sauces. While you are enjoying the taste of oysters with top quality beer there will be a demonstration of how to properly shuck a Foyle Oyster; the delicate art of releasing the oyster carefully from its shell.

Wrap up well! The tour will then proceed with a guided walk across the Peace Bridge to the Central Bar (Strand Road). There you will be served the signature dish Wild Foyle Oyster Stew which has been created especially for the event, inspired by the Christmas Eve Oyster Stew, a legacy of Irish emigration in America. The dish will be served with William’s dulse brown bread and samples of Guinness/locally brewed Dopey Dick Brewing Co. beer.

Mary Blake, Tourism Development Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the event offered an exciting new gourmet experience based around the iconic Lough Foyle Oyster originating from the largest native European oyster bed. “We are delighted to be supporting Wild Strands who are providing a unique opportunity to experience the native Foyle oyster as never before. This creative and innovative event will help enhance our region’s reputation as a world class food destination.”

Wild Strands, which took part in Derry City and Strabane District Council’s recent hugely successful Slow Food Festival, will also be showcasing local producers such as Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, Donnybrewer Butter, Emerald Isle Seaweeds, Farren’s Non Toxic Home Clean products, Tamnagh Foods, Whiteoaks Organic Farm. There will also garments from Moville Clothing Company, handcrafted wicker baskets by Brendan Farren and the award winning cook book ‘Feast or Famine’ by local chef and author Emmett McCourt on display.

To book a place on the Wild Strands festive food tour on Sunday, December 11th, contact William by email info@wildstrands.com or call 00353 (0)85 1053893/0044 (0)7445015939. Spaces are limited and booking in advance is essential.
For more information on Derry City and Strabane District Council’s events during NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, visit www.derrystrabane.com/food

Have you got your Christmas tree up yet? At Mash Direct they decided to put up a slightly different Christmas tree this year… building a 6 metre tall ChristMash tree out of Potato boxes!

The tree is designed to celebrate the excellent harvest which Mash Direct had this year and build the teams festive spirit as they move into the busy Christmas period.

If you’re hoping to reduce your time in the kitchen this Christmas, Mash Direct offer a variety of seasonal products ideal for your Christmas feast, check out their website for more information.

An award winning Irish cider maker has announced a £250,000 investment in a state of the art German apple press and the planting a new 10 acre heritage orchard as the Irish craft cider market continues to boom in Ireland.

Fifth generation apple grower Greg MacNeice, owner of Mac Ivors Cider Co, said the investment in the new Flottweg cider press is essential for the development of the business which produces and then sells its three craft cider varieties all over Ireland.

Mr MacNeice, who’s family already manage 100 acres of apple orchards opposite the National Trust’s Ardress House, said the new press crushed 60 tonnes last week, which is nearly half a million apples.

Speaking about the investment, Mr MacNeice said: “There is a new generation of cider drinkers in Ireland and the market is booming. Times have changed so much and people are connecting with the land and it tastes good. There is a huge appreciation in the Irish market for our heritage, provenance and craft.

“This year alone, all of our ciders have received awards. We got a silver in Blas na hÉireann for our Traditional Dry and our Plum and Ginger. We have been voted best Artisan producer in Armagh, joint best in Ulster and joint best in Ireland. We have also picked up a Great Taste Awards for our Traditional Dry and Medium ciders and we got a silver medal at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.

“The market is exploding and people in our cities, towns and villages, the length and breadth of Ireland, are enjoying our great tasting ciders. We are a key producer in the Irish market and our ciders will also soon be distributed in continental Europe and we continue to look towards the American market.

“To ensure that our production capacity keeps up with our sales growth, it is imperative that we continue to reinvest. For Mac Ivors Cider Co that means making this significant investment in state of the art machinery which complements the planting of a further 10 acres of orchard to satisfy a growing demand for heritage cider varieties.”

Mr MacNeice said that after harvesting a great crop, it’s now time for the apple press to go to work pressing a huge variety of apples including Allington Pippins, Cox Orange Pippins, Laxton Fortune, Lord Lambourne, Elstar, Idared, Jonagored and Armagh Bramleys as part of the overall cider production.

He added: “The Flottwegg belt press is a great addition to our process. Beautifully perfumed apples are being turned into great tasting cider and the team are delighted to have this facility on site in Co Armagh.”

Diners are being urged to put their money where their mouth is this festive season and support local families affected by cancer.

Cancer Fund for Children is once again running its Dine and Donate campaign whereby diners at selected restaurants can support the charity easily by adding a few pounds on to their bill after they finish their meal.
This year participating restaurants include Deanes EIPIC, Deanes at Queens, Deanes Deli, Deane & Decano, Holohan’s Pantry, Holohan’s on the Barge, Balloo House, The Parson’s Nose, The Poacher’s Pocket, Brunel’s Restaurant, The Maghera Inn, and Bistro Este.

Money raised via the initiative will enable the charity to continue providing practical, emotional and financial support for local families whose lives have been devastated by cancer.

Cancer Fund for Children’s Corporate Fundraiser Sorcha MacLaimhin said:
“For families living with a cancer diagnosis Christmas can exaggerate negative issues they are already dealing with such as isolation, loneliness and financial strain. Cancer Fund for Children understands this and strives to support families through providing practical, financial and therapeutic support to help them cope with the impact cancer has on their lives.

“We receive less than one per cent of our income from the government. Without campaigns like Dine and Donate, and support from people like Michael, we would never be able to provide these vital support services so that families in Northern Ireland don’t have to face cancer alone.”

To find out more about Dine and Donate, call us on 028 9080 5599 or go to www.cancerfundforchildren.com

The distillers at Rademon Estate Distillery in Co. Down, home to Shortcross Gin, have released a new batch of their international award-winning limited edition Shortcross Cask Aged Gin. Three casks of the expression were laid to rest this year with a limited number of bottles now available to purchase across UK & Ireland.

Commenting on Rademon Estate Distillery’s latest release David Boyd-Armstrong, Head Distiller and Operations Director, said: “The release of our first batch of Shortcross Cask Aged Gin took place earlier this year and was an incredible success. Due to the unprecedented demand for this new Shortcross expression we decided to release another batch of our highly commended Shortcross Cask Aged Gin in the run up to Christmas, providing us with the perfect opportunity to offer a unique product and gift during the festive period.”

To create this limited edition, Shortcross Gin was carefully rested in French oak casks from the Chateau de La Ligne in Bordeaux that had previously contained the Chateau Cuvee Prestige wine. The casks were hand-picked by Head Distiller David Boyd-Armstrong with the help of the chateau owner, Terry Cross of Wine Geese fame.

Competing at an international level with leading spirits brands across the globe, the Shortcross Cask Aged Gin has won numerous accolades this year at both the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition 2016 and The Spirits Business Gin Masters, a mark of its exceptional taste and flavour.

The 44% proof Shortcross Cask Aged Gin exhibits the key Shortcross characteristics of being juniper led with citrus and floral notes, but now adds an abundance of bright summer berries with notes of rose petals and vanilla, combined with lightly toasted oak and velvety tannins.

Earlier this year, the distillery launched its first batch of Shortcross Cask Aged Gin exclusively through London retail partner Fortnum & Mason where it featured as Spirit of the Month, the expression was widely sought and sold out in less than ten days, becoming one of the best-selling Spirits of the Month for the luxury retailer.

Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, Managing Director, Rademon Estate Distillery said: “The response to the launch of our limited edition Shortcross Cask Aged Gin earlier this year has been fantastic and we are delighted to release another batch in the run up to Christmas. We are continuously exploring ways to provide new and innovative offerings to gin lovers, our limited edition Shortcross Cask Aged Gin is truly special with each individual bottle perfected by hand here at Rademon Estate Distillery.”

Rademon Estate Distillery is the producer of the multi award-winning Shortcross Gin. Founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong, Rademon Estate Distillery is located at the couple’s historic family estate just outside Downpatrick, Co. Down.

In 2015, the Distillery laid down the first casks of a new Irish Malt Whiskey, the first bottles of which are expected to be released in summer 2018. There are also plans to open a unique visitor centre at Rademon Estate in 2017.

Shortcross Cask Aged Gin will be available in selected retailers throughout December and is priced at £40/50 euro for a 70cl bottle.
Shortcross is distributed in Ireland by Counterpoint Wholesale Ireland.

For further information visit www.Shortcrossgin.com or follow Shortcross on Twitter and Facebook

Iconic Belfast pub, Sunflower removes some of the world’s best known beer brands to focus on local craft producers

One of Belfast’s longest standing public houses has taken the bold move of removing the majority of its international beer brands in favour of showcasing products from local breweries.

One of the most iconic bars in the city, Sunflower, re-opened under new management in 2012 but there has been a bar on this spot for over 100 years.

The historic traditional corner bar, which prides itself on being completely free from gimmicks and themes, has earned a cult following for its no nonsense approach. Never ones to follow the crowd, the bar has earned a reputation for its diverse entertainment line-up, which features everything from poetry readings to live music and everything in between.

A well-known face within the industry, Pedro Donald, owner of Sunflower, has worked in the hospitality sector for over 30 years. During that time, he’s seen many changes within the industry but his decision to overhaul the bar’s range of draught beers, is a definite departure from the norm.

Commenting on the announcement, Pedro Donald said: “The licensed trade in Northern Ireland has always been restricted by the tied house phenomenon that excludes competition and only promotes the big multinational’s brands, which in turn has meant that the trade’s offering to the public has been somewhat generic. I firmly believe that consumers are completely fed up with the same standard offerings and now they want something different. I also believe that we now have some amazing local craft breweries here in Ireland that deserve to have their brands showcased.”

Northern Ireland has some 27 local craft breweries now, and the craft beer revolution seems to be growing consistently across all channels. The Hercules Brewing Company, the first craft brewery in Belfast and the creators of Yardsman beers are one of the breweries chosen by Pedro adorn the bar counter in Sunflower, with their Yardsman Original Double Stout now pouring as the venue’s only stout of choice.

Pedro added: “We are regularly asked ‘What have you got that’s local?’ and in my view the Yardsman Original Double Stout is a fabulous beer and it is brewed here in Belfast, just a stone’s throw from the bar and is made using all natural, local ingredients with traditional brewing methods. We’re in Belfast so why not offer a Belfast stout rather than a Dublin one?”

Sunflower’s tap range, which is now almost exclusively local, will carry craft beers from across Ireland including, ranges from as Hilden, Ireland’s oldest independent brewery, Farmageddon, Northbound, Clearsky and Kinnegar, as well as a locally produced cider from Armagh, MacIvors.