Seven of Northern Ireland’s award winning chefs created a Dinner with Difference in aid of local children’s cancer charity as part of Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink. 

On Friday 13th May seven of Northern Ireland’s leading chefs took over the kitchen of Cancer Fund for Children’s Therapeutic Short Break Centre, Daisy Lodge, to create a mouth-watering seven course menu for over 70 guests.

The one-off event which was a celebration of the best local produce and talent Northern Ireland has to offer, involved seven top chefs from Newcastle including Simon Dougan from the Yellow Door, Joery Castel from the Boat House in Bangor, Danny Millar Head Chef of Balloo House in Killinchy, Darren Ireland from Vanilla Restaurant, Paul Cunningham Head Chef of Brunel’s Restaurant, Hazel Magill Head Chef of the Slieve Donard Resort a and Spa and Phil Rodgers also of the Yellow Door.”

The theme for the evening was landscapes and places and with breath-taking Mourne Mountains as the backdrop to ‘Dinner with a Difference’ guests were in for a delectable sensory experience. Highlights from the menu, which was accompanied by matching wines selected by Jane Boyce Master of Wines from JN Wine Merchants, included; Shellfish Tortellini with Strangford Sea Vegetables and Ballycastle Crab Consommé, Kitchen Garden Salad with Young Buck Brulee and Sweet Pickled Beetroot, Carnbrooke Salt Aged Sirloin with Ox Tongue and a beautiful Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Burnt White Chocolate. Guests also had the opportunity to take a little slice of the evening home with them in a goody bag of petit-fours.

Joan Burden Cancer Fund for Children’s Hospitality Manager said, “This truly was an unforgettable evening. I’m delighted, that most importantly, Dinner with a Difference has raised over £13,000 to support local children and families affected by cancer. We were honoured to have seven of Northern Ireland’s leading chefs’ give up their time to support the charity. The atmosphere in the kitchen was amazing. There was a real buzz amongst the chefs some who had never met before and the feedback from our guests has been incredible.

Joan continued,

“ I would like to thank everyone who made this unique event possible including our main sponsors Café Maud’s, Event Stylists’ Add a Little Sparkle who brought the Mournes’ seven peaks into the dining room at Daisy Lodge, JN Wine Merchants who sponsored the drinks reception, Johnsons Coffee who provided speciality teas and coffees, U105’s Paul McKenna who was our wonderful compere for the evening, Simon Dougan from the Yellow Door who helped bring this event together, Taste of Ulster and of course the six other amazing chefs.”

For more information about Cancer Fund for Children please contact the charity (028) 90805599 or visit www.cancerfundforchildren.com.

Travel and food writers from France visited Fermanagh this week, as guests of Tourism Ireland and VisitBritain. The journalists – whose publications have a combined circulation of more than 725,500 readers – were here to learn more about food in Fermanagh, as well as to experience the magnificent scenery and some of the many places of interest to visit.

The itinerary, devised by Tourism NI, included a visit to Belle Isle Estate at Lisbellaw, lunch at the Watermill Restaurant in Lisnaskea, a food tour of Lough Erne by water taxi, lunch at the Killyhevlin Hotel and a tour of the National Trust property, Florence Court. The journalists also visited the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Belleek Pottery and the holiday cottages at Finn Lough. They stayed at the Lough Erne Resort.

Elmagh Killeen, Tourism Ireland’s Manager for Southern Europe, said: “We were delighted to invite these journalists to visit Fermanagh, to see for themselves the superb culinary offering and wonderful scenery in this part of Northern Ireland. Publicity is an important element of our overall promotional programme, helping to raise awareness through the French media of Fermanagh and Northern Ireland and the many things to see and do on a holiday here.

“This year, we are inviting people everywhere to come and enjoy Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink – where they will discover the best of local produce and have the chance to experience the wonderful landscapes and coastline which make Northern Ireland so special. With so many great events happening throughout 2016, our message is that there has never been a better time to enjoy a true taste of Northern Ireland.”

Michele Shirlow’s Farming Life Column.

Our fabulous food and drink is justifiably one of the key features of this year’s RUAS show at Balmoral Park.

Food NI has once again organised a spectacular Food Pavilion showcasing the very best of local produce and including a packed programme of cooking demonstrations by top chefs on how to create meals using the superb ingredients that are readily available here.

The pavilion reflects our commitment to the successful Year of Food and Drink 2016 campaign that’s been increasing awareness of the quality, originality and outstanding taste of our food and drink, the producers and, of course, the farmers and fishermen whose skills and dedication ensure superbly tasty and wholesome ingredients.

I’d urge you to spend time in the Food Pavilion. You’ll find food and drink from around 100 local companies, artisans, smaller enterprises and major firms, and be able to taste the products they love creating. Thousands of products will be on show. You may be surprised to discover the extent of food and drink now being made here.

The fantastic line up of companies in the Food Pavilion covers virtually ever sector of food and drink production here – artisan cheeses, breads, ice cream, meats, eggs, condiments and beverages including cider.

The Food NI Food Pavilion is in fact the biggest and best showcase of local food and drink so far during Year of Food and Drink, now in its fifth month and focusing on the theme of Landscapes and Places in May.

The Food Pavilion at Balmoral is probably the most striking demonstration of the close link between food and drink and landscape and places and particularly the people, farming and fishing families who are passionate about conserving our exceptional countryside and in providing outstandingly tasty and wholesome food and drink.

As well as being able to sample and purchase many of the foods on show, you will also be able to see and talk to the producers. They’ll be happy to explain how they create such wonderful products.

The Food Pavilion is now Food NI’s most important and successful activity to promote local food and drink industry by increasing awareness of what the industry has to offer. It’s an initiative that has generated good business for producers over the years and will continue to do so this year.

All our activities are shaped by this commitment to promote the growth of the local industry and thereby encourage employment opportunities and support the economic wellbeing particularly of rural communities where most of the producers are based.

As well as organising our own exhibitions and supporting those of other bodies including local councils, across Northern Ireland Food NI works closely with chefs across Northern Ireland in encouraging them to create individual dishes and meals using local ingredients. This activity also assists business for producers with local chefs and with diners who enjoy the meals.

Other initiatives by Food NI have included supporting the Taste of Ulster shop at Belfast International Airport with the inclusion of local spirits and beers in the Duty Free in Departures, the Taste of Ulster You Tube channel highlighting Northern Ireland producers and products.

In addition, we are working with BBC Good Food Show to ensure the success of this important consumer-led event in Belfast in October.

New NI Supply Deal Announced at 2016 Balmoral Show

Fermanagh-based Cavanagh Free Range Eggs has won its first major supermarket deal, which will see it supply its locally farmed free range eggs to Asda stores across Northern Ireland.

As a result of the new contract, all eggs sold in Asda’s 16 NI stores will be locally sourced. It will also help to build the Cavanagh Eggs brand and sustain jobs in the family-run business which currently produces 12 million free range eggs per year and employs seven people at its onsite packing centre outside Newtownbutler.

The deal was announced at this year’s Balmoral Show – the same venue where Eileen Hall from Cavanagh Eggs initially approached Asda to discuss supply opportunities. Cavanagh also took part in last year’s ‘Meet the Buyer’ event held in Asda’s Enniskillen store.

Since then the company has followed guidance provided by Asda’s local sourcing team, including achieving Lion Accreditation – the recognised quality and traceability guarantee.

Eileen is also currently part of Asda’s Supplier Development Academy which seeks to help local food producers boost their business potential with the retailer.

Commenting on the contract Eileen said: “This is a major development for Cavanagh, marking a significant step forward for our small but very committed team.

“Over the last four years we’ve focused our efforts on building the brand and developing our product range to ensure we’re ideally positioned to supply major supermarkets. We know that contented hens produce the best quality, tasty eggs, and we’re delighted that Asda has also recognised this. We believe the move will also be appreciated by their NI customers.”

Brian Conway from Asda NI’s Local Sourcing Team added: “It’s great to see Cavanagh Free Range joining our growing list of local suppliers an another top quality, fresh product range taking pride of place on our shelves. This is yet another example of our commitment to NI Year of Food and it also shows how initiatives such as our Supplier Development Academy are delivering positive business results for local producers.”

As well as being the only egg company in Ireland to hold both the prestigious ‘Great Taste’ and the ‘Irish Food Quality’ awards, Cavanagh Eggs are used by chefs across Northern Ireland including those from The Lough Erne Resort and The Merchant Hotel.

Public Liability Insurance, although not a legal requirement is a contractual requirement for all traders trading with Naturally North Coast & Glens.

While most traders will hold their own annual insurance policy, many start ups, or traders wishing to trade at one off events may not hold an insurance policy which permits them to trade with us.

We are delighted to now be able to offer such traders PLI cover through ‘Taste of Membership’ Insurance with the National Market TradersFederation for up to three days at any of our markets for a minimal cost of £5 per day. (terms and conditions apply)

This short term insurance provides;
• Expert Knowledge – advice and guidance on markets and market trading
• Public and product liability protection up to £10 million (no excess)
• Employer’s liability protection up to £10 million (no excess)
• Discounts from a trusted supplier of chip and pin payment services, including mobile, portable and counter-top machines (Chip & Pin Solutions Ltd)
• Discounts from a trusted supplier of gazebos, tents and canopies (Vitabri)
• Discounts on fleet breakdown cover from the AA

The National Market Traders Federation also has a guide for new start-ups of things to consider, this is available on their website and can be downloaded
for free at the link below.

If you’d like to make use of this service while trading with Naturally North Coast & Glens please contact us at info@naturallynorthcoastandglens.co.uk

Willowbrook Foods has taken home the top award at the Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier Awards, which took place today at the Balmoral Show.

The Co. Down supplier of salad bags and bowls, freshly prepared vegetables and cooked meal accompaniments has been trading with Henderson Wholesale for 20 years, while constantly developing innovative new ranges to meet convenience consumer demands.

Other successful local food companies at the awards breakfast included Around Noon for Best Direct to Store Supplier, Kerry Foods who took home the Best Brand Innovation award, Quinfresh was named the enjoy local Supplier of the Year for their contribution to the wholesaler’s own-brand range and Gilfresh Produce won the Tomorrow Matters award for outstanding practice in CSR. (Full list of winners and highly commended companies in notes to editors.)

Now in their fourth year, the prestigious award scheme allows the Henderson Group, who owns the SPAR and EUROSPAR franchises in Northern Ireland, to recognise the outstanding efforts of the local supply companies their Wholesale business is developing fresh and ambient ranges with.

This year, the judging panel included some of the most respected names in agri-food and business including UFU Rural Affairs Committee Chairperson, Freda Magill, agri-journalist Richard Wright, Head of Food Technology Development at CAFRE, Joy Alexander and Ulster Business editor, David Elliott.

Neal Kelly, Fresh Foods Director at Henderson Group said; “We had an outstanding level of entries for the fourth year of our awards and we’re hugely grateful to both our local suppliers and panel of judges for embracing this initiative each year.

“Willowbrook Foods demonstrated a high level of innovation and awareness of our brand, retailers and consumers to go forward to win the Overall Supplier of the Year award. They are a key supplier to the enjoy local own-brand range and we are confident our relationship will only grow stronger to create even better products for our stores and shoppers.

“I wish to congratulate every one of our shortlisted, winning and highly commended local suppliers as we simply couldn’t provide the fresh and local range at the value we do for our shoppers without them.”

Speaking of Balmoral Show’s Platinum sponsor presence at the show, Paddy Doody commented; “We have enjoyed a fantastic sixth year with SPAR as Platinum sponsor of the Show. From daily barbeques with brand ambassador Paula McIntyre, sampling in our enjoy local marquee, family fun in the SPAR Arena and providing daily essentials to visitors and exhibitors at our SPAR pop up shop, the three days have been a huge success.

“To round it up with a fantastic display of the quality of our local suppliers through these awards is testament to our relationships within the agri-food community. We’re already looking forward to next year!”