Gin lovers are in for a treat this summer as The Merchant Hotel plays host to a very special event in its Rooftop Garden.

The Shortcross Twilight Picnic event will take place on Wednesday August 10 at 7.30pm and will showcase the locally crafted Shortcross Gin which is distilled just outside Downpatrick.

Gin connoisseurs will hear the story behind the brand from one of its founders and will have the opportunity to discover more about the distilling process, while enjoying gin cocktails, signature serves and delicious picnic food that will complement the drinks.

There will also be a specially made gin cocktail that has been inspired by a luxury summer picnic with gooseberry, elderflower yogurt and lavender hued Parfait Amour all making an appearance.
Michael Patterson, Manager of the Cocktail Bar at the Merchant Hotel is looking forward to the event;

“Northern Ireland, along with most of the world, is currently experiencing a gin revival and this event is designed to give gin lovers the opportunity to really find out about the brand.

“We’ve purposely selected the locally distilled Shortcross Gin and hope that the event will provide an educational experience for those attending.

“The event is set to be very popular and what better way is there to spend a summer evening than in relaxing surrounds of The Merchant’s Rooftop Bar.”

For further information, or to book a ticket, call The Merchant Hotel, Belfast on 028 9023 4888 or visit themerchanthotel.com

Linwoods, the Northern Irish healthy foods producer and a Food NI member company, has moved into the snacks aisles, with a slow cooked, natural and nutrition-packed alternative to crisps.

Linwoods Snackettes, the new range from the county Armagh food business, are snacks with a difference. The dynamic little triangle-shaped treats, invented by Linwoods in- house team of seeds and nuts specialists, are 100 per cent natural and organic, and minimally processed … a guilt-free option. The company already produces the Linwoods award winning health food product range.

The range is being promoted by Michael Conlan, the Commonwealth, European and recently crowned World Boxing Champion, who is the new Health Food Partner of Linwoods.

Sarah Shimmons, head of marketing at Linwoods, says: “Eating well isn’t just about avoiding the foods which we all know are firmly on the ‘naughty list’. “We also want to help people to make positive choices by offering great natural foods which not only taste good, but which actually do you good with every bite!”

That’s a philosophy which has already paid off handsomely for the Armagh based, family owned company. In recent years the business, which was founded on dairy and quality baked goods, expanded to create the hugely successful Linwoods Health Food product range of healthy seeds and berries, which today deliver accessible, easy to use nutrition to health-conscious consumers right around the world.

She adds: “When we fancied a healthy snack in a handy packet we couldn’t find one, so we harnessed our seeds, nuts and berries expertise and invented Linwoods Snackettes! The result is a great-tasting alternative to sugar- and salt-filled snacks, perfect to eat on-the-go or post workout; to pop into lunch boxes or simply to enjoy when you feel you need a tasty treat or a pick-me-up.

“The handy sized packs pack a powerful nutritional punch with important health benefits. Linwoods Snackettes are a great source of fibre, protein and omega 3, are 100 per cent natural and organic; they have no added sugar or salt; and are gluten-free.”

The new Linwoods Snackettes which will be launched in outlets across The UK and Ireland come in three flavour variants: Banana and Coconut; Spicy Tomato and Superseeds.

 

It was immensely encouraging to see so many talented and enthusiastic young people graduating recently from our universities and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) with the skills and qualifications that the food and drink production sector needs to ensure continued growth. I know that most of the latest batch of CAFRE graduates have already found employment in the industry.

This is illustrative of the scale of opportunities our biggest industry offers young people. The food and drink industry, after all, includes many of Northern Ireland’s biggest companies and most successful exporters. I believe that the current Year of Food and Drink initiative is helping to showcase the contribution of this £5 billion industry to young people and their families. It’s a vibrant industry on the move in terms of international sales, new product development, innovation in processes and procedures and focusing increasingly on developing the skills and experience of its people. The days when food processing was seen as a low wage industry are largely in the past.
It is, furthermore, an industry offering great opportunities to entrepreneurial young people to set up their own small businesses. The emergence of a dynamic micro and small business sector in both food and drink is evidence of this encouraging trend.

Our food and drink products are now exported to around 80 countries worldwide. You’ll find our food being enjoyed from the US to China and from Finland to New Zealand. While sales to these markets are important, Northern Ireland is a major supplier of food and drink to the hugely significant and easily accessed markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Year of Food and drink has been showcasing the innovation in processes, products and career development within what is now a dynamic and progressive industry. We’ve also seen leading companies such as Dunbia in Dungannon and Genesis Crafty in Magherafelt setting up academies to develop the skills of young people. Many other businesses are now offer rewarding career progression structures for new recruits.

The strengthening export focus means greater opportunities for travel and working abroad. Food is a progressive sector with a developing focus on new technologies including preservation of the environment, alternative energies and sustainability.

Food and drink, furthermore, is an industry firmly rooted in the soil of Northern Ireland, driven by locally-owned companies and bound to remain so. We’ll always need local food and drink. As the global population grows to reach a projected nine billion by 2030, demand for the quality and safe food and drink that we provide will increase substantially. Even in Britain there are serious concerns about long-term supply of everything from vegetables and fruit to bread and meat. Our fertile soil, temperate climate and heritage in the production of premium quality food and drink should help us meet some of the challenges that the UK will face.

We’ve got to continue to press home the message about the industry and career opportunities to universities, colleges and schools and engage with parents. At FoodNI we have worked with many fantastic undergraduates on their placement years and have been impressed by the talent, dedication and new ideas they have brought to our organisation. We look forward to seeing them progress successful and rewarding careers in this great industry.

The Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel in Fermanagh, one of Northern Ireland’s leading hotels is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion, is asking people from all over Northern Ireland to send photos they may have along with details of special memories which are linked to the hotel over the last 40 years.

 The memorabilia will go towards creating a bespoke ‘Memory Wall’ display and everyone who sends something in will automatically be entered into a draw to win a weekend break for two at the hotel.

 Jacqueline Wright, Director of the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel explains why people who have had an enjoyable time at the hotel should keep sending their memories in:

 “Entries have been pouring in already but there is still lots of time for people to send in photos of their fond memories linked to the hotel. Thousands of people have celebrated weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries here and we can’t wait to see all the photos associated with these unforgettable gatherings!

 “Our Memory Wall will be on show in our reception area later in the year so be sure to pop into the hotel and indulge in some nostalgia with your loved ones. Whilst you are in the hotel why not enjoy a delicious lunch or a tempting afternoon tea,” added Jacqueline.

 If you would like your photo to be part of the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel Memory Wall then please email a copy of your photo or favourite memory from the hotel to 40@killyhevlin.com

You can also share your memories on social media using the hashtag #Killyhevlin40.

 For more information on the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel or to book a stay go to www.killyhevlin.com or call +44(0) 28 6632 3481.  Find out more at www.facebook.com/Killyhevlin and on twitter @killyhevlin

Tournament: Tayto Northern Ireland Open in partnership with Ulster Bank
Venue: Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Ballymena
Hashtag: #NIOpen
Website: niopen.golf

It is now easier than ever to see the stars in action with today’s news that Translink is on board as one of the Official Suppliers for next week’s Tayto Northern Ireland Open, in partnership with Ulster Bank, at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena.

All roads lead to Ballymena’s renowned championship venue and through Translink spectators can arrive in style and in good time at Galgorm Castle to enjoy a great day out with all the family.

Translink’s John Morgan says using public transport will be a hassle-free way to catch all the action: “This summer, we’ve a wide range of discount bus, coach and train tickets available to bring visitors to Ballymena to enjoy the golf and get home safely.

“Get on board our 218 and 219 Goldline coach service or hop on the train for fast and comfortable travel to and from the town with the added benefit of free Wifi to keep an eye on the latest golf results.

“Once you arrive at Ballymena station, use our free frequent shuttle bus service, taking you right to the NI Open entrance and we’ll also provide a free shuttle service from Ballee Park & Ride throughout the four-day event.”

Every year the NI Open breaks the European Challenge Tour attendance records as almost 40,000 came through the gates in 2015. This year organisers are confident they can attract in the region of 45,000, especially when the NI Open is FREE to enter and there is so much to see and do during tournament week. Simply register for tickets at niopen.golf.

Practice days take place on Monday and Tuesday (July 25, 26) before the eagerly anticipated NI Open Pro-Am on Wednesday (July 27) where stars including One Direction’s Niall Horan, Northern Ireland goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings and former Ulster and Lions rugby player Stephen Ferris will be playing. This really will be an opportunity to get up close and see the players plus pick up a few autographs.

The NI Open tournament for the professionals gets underway from Thursday, July 28-31 and promises to be one of the sporting highlights of the year. The week-long festival of golf also includes the dedicated Food Festival, art exhibition from golf portrait specialist Mark Robinson, Fun Golf Area and NI Open Village. And now it couldn’t be easier to get to the Ballymena venue.

“We’re delighted Translink has become an Official Partner to the NI Open,” explained Galgorm Castle’s Ross Oliver. “With Translink on board it allows visitors and spectators to use public transport as a way of getting to the venue and also to get home at the end of the day.

“One of the easiest ways to plan your trip is by using the Journey Planner link on the tournament website niopen.golf or via the new NI Open app.”

In addition, Translink is also providing bundled family and friends tickets to help visitors plan their day.

“Our Family and Friends Ticket offers unlimited bus and train day travel throughout Northern Ireland for up to two adults and four children for just £22, perfect for a family day out,” added Morgan.

“There is also a third-off NI Railways day return journeys after 9.30am, or a £9 bus rambler ticket for unlimited Translink bus and coach travel after 9.15am. We’ve also launched a new £7 Sunday Day Tracker rail ticket, offering unlimited all day travel on scheduled train services across Northern Ireland on Sundays – a great way to catch the final day’s play at Galgorm.”

For further information or to plan you’re your journey, please visit:
www.translink.co.uk/niopen or call 028 90 66 66 30
www.niopen.golf

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Hilary McClintock, has praised the “incredible success” of the Clipper Race Kitchens which attracted in excess of 20,000 participants to Ebrington Square for the four-day food celebration as part of the wider Foyle Maritime Festival.

Ald. McClintock congratulated all the local and visiting chefs, restaurants, suppliers and producers who took part in the flagship culinary showcase organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council in association with Food NI from July 14-17, supported by Tourism NI, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) NI Agri Food Programme and the Loughs Agency through the Sustainable Development Programme.

Also praising the council team involved in organising Clipper Race Kitchens and thanking the thousands of visitors who flocked to the family-friendly event in both rain and sunshine, the Mayor said it was a wonderful celebration of the best local food provenance, seafood produce – through the Flavours of the Foyle showcase – and culinary talent that the North West and wider region has to offer.

Ald. McClintock added: “I had the pleasure of visiting the Clipper Race Kitchens to sample the fantastic local produce, watch the live cookery demonstrations and soak up the festival atmosphere as well as meeting the local and visiting celebrity chefs including Jean-Christophe Novelli who was completely bowled over by the quality of the produce and cuisine on show, and the warmth of the hospitality which our city is famous for as an international tourism destination.”

Mary Blake, Council’s Tourism Development Officer and main organiser of Clipper Race Kitchens, said it had been an “incredible success” in the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 calendar.

“We are delighted to have the support of so many businesses – restaurants, suppliers, producers and chefs – in getting the message out to ‘support local’ and, this latest food event, which attracted 37,000 visitors to Ebrington, has proved what we already knew – that we’ve got taste!”

Jean-Christophe Novelli, the 5 out of 5 AA Rosette and Michelin award winning chef, lived up to his title as “the nation’s favourite French chef”, when he conducted a whistle-stop tour of the city’s best known eateries including Browns – winner of Best Restaurant in Ulster 2016 – as well as wowing the crowds with a series of live cookery demos featuring local produce including freshly caught seafood from Donegal Prime Fish.

Speaking afterwards, Novelli said he had been greatly impressed by the reception he received during his visit to the city, especially the “spirit of the people” he had met, and hoped to return in the near future.

Other well-known local chefs – all household names – who performed cookery demos at the event included Ian Orr of Browns (Irish Chef of the Year 2013), Derek Creagh of Harry’s (Irish Chef of the Year 2015), Jenny Bristow, Paula McIntyre, Emmett McCourt, Brian McDermott, the ‘No Salt Chef’ who also compered, and Noel McMeel (Lough Erne Resort), who cooked for the world’s leaders when the G8 Summit was held in Co. Fermanagh in 2013.
Event ambassador Brian McDermott also cooked live at the event with Clipper Race crew members, while local chefs including Stephen Forbes from Pier 59, Johnny Heaney from the Sooty Olive, Colman O’Driscoll from the Everglades Hotel and Noel Ward from the White Horse Hotel, also showcased their foodie flair on the main stage.

Kevin and Julie Hickey of Tamnagh Foods – who were among the many artisan producers with stands in the Clipper Race Food Pavilion said they were delighted to be involved in the event during which they met customers from across the world including Miami, Perth, Isle of Wight, Liverpool and Dublin.

“It has been a great opportunity to be able to tell our food story to the many visitors who came from far and wide. We have had fantastic feedback about our cheese range and we would be more than delighted to come back to the next event,” said the award-making cheese, granola and chutney makers based in Park, Co Derry.

‘Feast or Famine’ World Gourmand Award cookery book author and chef Emmett McCourt, whose Irish Food Heritage project was based in the Clipper Race Food Village during the four-day event and also closed the event with a magical demo featuring wild sea trout, said: “It is great to see our local food being celebrated, especially during Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016, and puts our cuisine in its rightful place in western Europe; our food really has come of age!”

Michele Shirlow, Tourism NI Board member and CEO of Food NI, also praised the success of the “hugely impressive” Foyle Maritime Festival, especially for food and drink producers from the North West and further afield.

She continued: “The food and drink offerings from local producers and the cookery demonstrations were excellent and proved extremely popular with festival-goers. Derry really has got its food and drink act together, and we’ve been delighted to work closely with Mary Blake and the talented council team in harnessing the marketing potential of Year of Food and Drink including the Walled City and Ebrington markets.

“The Clipper Kitchens hosted the splendid celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. The festival also saw an innovative collaboration between an artisan food producer, Glastry Farm Ice Cream, and Niche Drinks in Derry – an international distiller of The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and Irish cream liqueurs – in the launch of the new St Brendan’s Irish Cream Liqueur flavoured ice cream which proved tremendously popular with festival-goers.
“They’ve embraced Year of Food and Drink with real passion and brought great energy to an impressive programme of events in the city and wider region. The Foyle Maritime Festival is now firmly established as among the biggest and most successful and we’re delighted to be involved.”

Clipper Race Kitchens also provided a feast of entertainment for little gourmands including dancing mermaids, singing chefs, pirates and children’s arts and crafts as well as water boats, jungle playground and chairoplanes, not forgetting the giant table and chairs which also proved to be a focal point for visitors to Ebrington.