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.

On Saturday 26th November 2016, The Carriage Rooms, Montalto Estate were transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland to raise vital funds for local charity, Cancer Fund for Children.

The glamorous gala ball took place in the beautiful and ancient surroundings of Montalto Estate, one of Northern Ireland’s best kept secret, has raised over £50,000 to support children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

The event was attended by 120 guests who were treated to a champagne reception followed by an exquisite four course meal prepared by the chef and proprietor of Yellow Door Simon Dougan. Each course was accompanied by fine wines compliments of James Nicholson Wine Merchant and teas and coffees were provided by Johnsons’ Coffee. After dinner guests danced the night away to the Just Adam Band.

As the leading children’s cancer charity in Northern Ireland, Cancer Fund for Children understands the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have on the whole family and that beyond essential medical care there is a family life that needs to be rebuilt. The charity offers practical, emotional and financial support as well as free short therapeutic breaks to local families whose lives have been affected by the illness.

Joan Burden, Chair of Cancer Fund for Children’s Mourne Support Group who helped to organised the Winter Wonderland Ball said,

“What a way to start the festive season. We are absolutely delighted by the success of this magical event. The funds raised will help Cancer Fund for Children’s team of Specialists provide vital support to young people whose lives have been impact by cancer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our amazing sponsors for their generosity including The Carriage Rooms at Montalto, Yellow Door, James Nicholson Wine Merchants, Henderson Food Service, Rafferty Hospitality, North Down Marquees, Finnebrogue, Morrison’s VivoXtra and Johnsons’ Coffee, our MC for the evening U105’ Paul McKenna and of course all the members of Mourne Fundraising Group who helped make this event sparkle.”

To find out more about the work that Cancer Fund for Children do, go to cancerfundforchildren.com

Leading convenience brands, SuperValu and Centra, which are owned by Musgrave NI, have exclusively launched chat show host Graham Norton’s Own Wine in Northern Ireland.

The announcement that the local retail brands will stock the wine in their stores was revealed at an event hosted at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast to showcase SuperValu and Centra’s seasonal range of food.
More than 100 media, stakeholders and retailers attended the Christmas themed evening which saw VIP guests sample SuperValu and Centra’s exciting new festive range of fresh, quality, convenience food including party foods and desserts, fresh bakery and special Christmas Gourmet sandwiches.

The venue was transformed into ‘a re-tail of two Christmases’ as SuperValu’s Bring Home Christmas campaign of indulgent food, festive value and time-honoured tradition was launched alongside Centra’s ‘Let’s Rock Christmas’ messages of food inspiration, convenience and enjoying the festive season to the full.

SuperValu’s Ambassador Chef Noel McMeel treated guests to a live demonstration of recipes he’s created exclusively for the brand, to help customers with hints and tips for the perfect family Christmas while Nutritionist Jane McClenaghan, who is partnering with Centra, created an inspiring selection of healthy alternatives for the party season.
Musgrave NI Managing Director, Michael McCormack, said: “We’re delighted that SuperValu and Centra stores have been selected to stock Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz exclusively in Northern Ireland.
“These are great wines for Christmas celebrations and complement our new seasonal range perfectly. The festive season is a key time for retailers and we’ve increased our convenience food offering this year by 25%, to ensure our customers have everything they need for the perfect Christmas.

“Whether you are cooking from scratch with a Fresh Turkey Dinner and all the trimmings or prefer a special Food to Go Christmas lunch, we have both the range and our Ambassador partnerships to offer recipes, inspiration and ideas to help brighten up the festive season and Bring Christmas Home to you.”

Musgrave NI’s wine expert, James McLornan said: “Graham’s favourite two wines are New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Australian Shiraz, hence the choice of his blends. Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc, which launched in the UK last year, has already received a number of accolades and sold more than 600,000 bottles since its launch.

“Tonight we launched the Graham Norton Shiraz in Northern Ireland and it has already won a Gold medal at the 2016 Sydney International Wine Competition from its global launch earlier this year. There’s a reason why this has been described as ‘one of the most successful celebrity wine pairings ever’ and with the exclusive launch into SuperValu and Centra stores, we believe our customers may buy the wine for the celebrity behind it, but they’ll return for the quality,” he added.

Mr Nick Whelan, Group Chief Executive of Dale Farm will address delegates at the Northern Ireland Institute of Agriculture Science (NIIAS) breakfast before the RUAS Winter Fair on Thursday 8th December 2016 at 7.30am in Gowdy’s of Down Royal, Lisburn. His topic will be ‘Brexit: Risk or Reward’.

Mr Whelan took up his appointment as Group Chief Executive of Dale Farm on 1st August 2016. He graduated from University College Cork in 1995, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Following this he held senior management positions in the Kerry Group from 1995 – 2006. Previous to his appointment to Dale Farm, he was Commercial Director in Glanbia with responsibilities for sales, marketing and business development activities into 60 countries globally.

Speaking ahead of the event, Louise Millsopp, Chair of NIIAS said ‘we are delighted to have Nick address the Institute. At a time when our dairy industry has sustained a prolonged period of low milk prices and the recent decision for the UK to leave the European Union, it is very opportune that we hear from one of the key players within our agri-food industry.

The event has been kindly sponsored by Devenish and Ulster Bank. A light breakfast will be served from 7.30am with Mr Whelan speaking at 8am, followed by a question and answer session. The event is open to NIIAS Members and Non-Members. The cost for Members is £15, Non-Members £20 and Students £5.

To book your place at this breakfast meeting or for any further information about the event, please contact Robert McKnight, NIIAS Secretary, at secretary@niias.co.uk or ring/text 07756009770 by Monday 5TH December 2016.