Newry Market will play host to the first ever Twilight Market to be held in the city’s unique venue. As this is the celebratory Year of Food and Drink, the Twilight Market will be a showcase of our award winning local produce and vibrant restaurant sector.

Our local market will be transformed into a food and drink heaven where visitors will be able to feast on some of the unique food elements that make up Newry, Mourne and Down’s upcoming and thriving food and drinks sector under their Taste Junction banner.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council would like to offer you the opportunity to take part in the inaugural Twilight Market by hosting a pop up restaurant or marketing your produce at one of the stalls on the night. They will work with you to ensure that we have the necessary equipment in place to allow you to serve takeaway signature dishes from your menu. There will also be an opportunity to take part in live cooking demonstrations and tasting competitions with the public.

The cost to attend the market is £50, but there is an early bird offer of £30 if we receive payment before Monday 22nd February. This cost excludes other kitchen equipment that may be needed but these items can be sourced on request. Please note space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis upon receipt of a completed application form and payment of fees. Completed forms need to be returned to Nicola Whyte c/o Newry, Mourne and Down Council no later than Monday 29th February.

If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact Nicola Whyte, Event Coordinator on 07752528931.
Nicola Whyte Consultancy has been engaged by Newry, Mourne and Down Council to assist with the organising of this event.

Some of the industry’s top experts are to focus on the importance of the food and hospitality sectors to local tourism at a major conference in Belfast next week.

‘Focus On Food: Our Recipe For Tourism Success’ takes place at St George’s Market next Tuesday (23 February).
Speakers and panelists are drawn from all areas of the food and hospitality industry, including chefs, academics and retailers. The keynote speaker will be top chef, food writer and broadcaster Valentine Warner, who will share his passion for food heritage, the people, the places and the stories they tell while “in conversation” with conference host Sarah Travers.

The other speakers are led by the acclaimed Michelin Star chef, restaurateur and author JP McMahon, culinary director of the Eat Galway Restaurant Group, who will address the importance of partnership and collaboration between all aspects of the food industry, including farmers, producers and restaurants.
Ewen Venters, CEO of Fortnum and Mason, who has been described by Spears Magazine as “one of the most influential people on the British food scene”, will look at the shifting trends in food shopping, as well as how the store regards Northern Ireland products, such as award-winning Glenarm salmon and Shortcross Gin, as being synonymous with the quality their customers expect.

Professor Lynsey Hollywood, Lecturer in Consumer Management and Food Innovation at Ulster University, will look at latest trends in food tourism and agri-food, while Nigel Hardy, Head of Global Food at Invest NI, will provide practical information and advice on how local artisan producers can get their products into national and international marketplace including top-end retailers. Damien Donnelly of Ad-Man Creative Marketing will focus on practical and immediate tips on how to boost businesses through digital marketing.

There also will be a series of panel discussions, looking at the subjects discussed in the main presentations. Panelists will include Caroline Wilson of Belfast Food Tours, Jilly Dougan of Slow Food NI, the food journalist Joris Minne, Michelin Star restaurateur Michael Deane, Michele Shirlow of Food NI and Nigel Hardy.
‘Focus On Food: Our Recipe For Tourism Success’ is organized by Belfast City Council.
“The aim of the conference is to see what more can be done to maximize the economic benefit of food tourism, not only for Belfast, but the region as a whole,” explained Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Chair of the Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

“It will look at the long term development of food tourism in the city, and is designed to promote Belfast’s food tourism message; inspire the industry to collaborate and create new visitor experiences; engage producers, farmers, fishermen, chefs and outlets to better promote the food message to visitors; encourage the use of local produce and enable those in the industry to share experiences, challenges and opportunities.”

The conference is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), through its Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme.
Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The 2016 Focus on Food conference will gather together food producers, manufacturers, retailers, writers, chefs and food enthusiasts. It will offer a tremendous range of food expertise and produce in one event and is a unique opportunity for everyone to learn from each other and sell their wares. I would encourage everyone in this business to take this opportunity to attend and reap the benefits of shared practice and experience.

“The conference will provide a great window into the issues surrounding the sustainability of current food production methods, and provide me with a further understanding of the challenges in our industry.”
The conference is also supported by Tourism NI, as part of the Year of Food and Drink 2016. Aine Kearney, Director of Business Support and Events said: “The Year of Food and Drink 2016 is a great opportunity to harness the benefits of our successes in the food and drink sector, to drive quality, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship and support growth in export food sales. It is also an unmissable chance to showcase the high quality of our hospitality to an international audience who are hungry for new experiences. This conference gives us a platform on which to do all of that, and to inspire our food and drink industry into being the best it can be, and thus boost its significant contribution to our economy.”

Registration for ‘Focus On Food: Our Recipe For Tourism Success’ is still available via www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfastfood. Attendees can also keep up to date with developments on Twitter, by following @belfast_food or #belfastfocusonfood.

Folktown Market are offering discounts to new traders who sign up to trade with Folktown Market this year. The discount applies for the first 4 weeks you they complete application form and sign up before the end of February.

The 50% discount per week works out at:

£20 / wk for Hot food
£15 / wk for Artisan
£10 / wk for Art and Craft
The discounted fees must be paid up front.
Send a quick email to info@folktownbelfast.com stating your trade to receive an application form

Brewery’s East Coast IPA only NI beer to be honoured at Dublin Craft Beer Cup

One of Northern Ireland’s newest craft brewers, Mourne Mountains Brewery, has been honoured at the 2016 Alltech Dublin Craft Beer Cup with a prestigious silver medal for their East Coast IPA.

Now in their fourth year, the awards showcase the finest quality craft beers from across the world, and medals are decided by a panel of expert international judges who assess each brew on its appearance, aroma, flavour, body, style and quality.

This year more than 150 breweries were commended for their efforts, but Mourne Brewery’s East Coast IPA was the only Northern Irish brew to be recognised.

Connaire McGreevy, Founder of Mourne Mountains Brewery said: “As a microbrewer, it is always satisfying to win any award for your beer, but for such an experienced panel to present our East Coast IPA with silver medal is a real honour, especially when you consider how many other great beers were up for consideration.

‘We’re still only in our first year as a brewery, so to receive this accolade already is a great boost and hopefully the first of many more to come.

“Credit has to go to our Master Brewer Tom Ray, who has worked tirelessly to perfect the recipes for all of our brews, and a little bit of credit must also go to the Mourne Mountains themselves, as all of the water that goes into our beers is taken straight from the Spelga Dam.

“It’s beautifully soft and perfect for brewing, making it one of the unique characteristics of our brewery and something we believe to be a key part of our success.”

Alongside East Coast IPA, Mourne Mountains Brewery’s range also includes Red Trail, which is a red IPA, Mourne Gold, a golden ale, Big Rock, a German style wheat beer and Mourne Mist pilsner, while they also have a number of seasonal specials in the pipeline for 2016.

“Our beers are now stocked in more than 70 bars, restaurants and off licenses across Northern Ireland, and we’re working hard to expand this in the coming months. It’s an exciting time and we have a lot in store for this year, from limited edition brews to special events, so watch this space.”

Head Judge Dr. Gearóid Cahill, a Brewmaster with almost 20 years’ experience commented: “The standard of craft brewing in Ireland and internationally is rising all the time. There is great interest among brewers in achieving independent expert recognition for their beers. The Dublin Craft Cup and medals awarded to brewers are a fantastic accolade from independent, experienced beer judges and showcase the finest quality craft beers.”
For more information visit www.mournemountainsbrewery.com or to find a stockist search Mourne Mountains Brewery on Facebook. #JointheClan

“Following the incredible success of “Snout”, a bacon-infused stout, to celebrate Ulster FRYDay, Masterbrewer James of the Walled City Brewery has hand-crafted a single batch of ale that has been lovingly infused with luscious seasonal Bramley apples and tangy Valentine rhubarb from their very own Walled City Brewery gardens!

The beer is called “Love LocAle” and is a celebration of NI’s Year of Food & Drink 2016 February theme of “Love Local”.

Masterbrewer and owner James Huey said “At the Walled City Brewery we pride ourselves in going against the grain by creating entirely new flavour combinations. “Love LocAle” is the second batch of exciting new-world beers and, to set the mood for Valentine’s Day, it has even been tinged pink by the rhubarb!”

“Love LocAle” will be exclusively available at the Walled City Brewery, Ebrington Square, Derry-Londonderry from Valentines Days 14th February 2016.

The Walled City Brewery will continue to launch a brand new beer every month based on the individual themes.”

For further information contact James on 075 91850920 or james@walledcitybrewery.com

Local charity Storehouse, which aims to break the cycle of poverty for those most in need, was delighted to be a major benefactor of this week’s Guinness World Record pancake flipping attempt.
After the excitement died down and the crowd of flippers had cleared from Belfast Met Titanic Quarter, the 1000 frying pans which had been donated by Asda NI from its George Home range, were passed on to Storehouse for wider distribution to those living in poverty.

“We consider this a double whammy,” said Joe McDonald, Corporate Affairs Manager NI for Asda. “Not only were we able to build momentum and support for Year of Food & Drink, but we were also able to help the many families and individuals who rely on donations from Storehouse.”

Matt Orme, Storehouse Project Manager commented, “We’re so incredibly thankful to Asda for the donation of the frying pans. At Storehouse, one of our biggest aims is to restore dignity and hope to those who are experiencing difficult times. Whilst we’re thankful for all kinds of donations, being able to provide brand new items really goes a long way towards helping restore those things that are lost through poverty.”
While the organisers continue to wait for validation of the world record attempt, the team from Storehouse will be working with other local groups and charities to ensure the frying pans are put to good use in homes across Northern Ireland.

Pictured (L-R) Dennis Hutchinson, Storehouse volunteer, Matt Orme, Project Manager Storehouse and Joe McDonald, Corporate Affairs Manager NI for Asda.