Whet your appetite for the finest local cuisine with Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week

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New Council launches festival of food, entertainment and special offers across more than 40 eateries

Local food lovers are in for a treat this month as the inaugural Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week kicks off with eight days of events and special offers across some of the district’s finest eateries from Saturday 31st October to Saturday 7th November.

There are more than 40 bars and restaurants signed up and together they are offering a wide range of deals and unique events including family fun days, pub quizzes, gin tasting sessions, fancy dress parties and Irish theme nights.

Promoted by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Restaurant Week 2015 aims to support the local hospitality sector and with less than two weeks to go keen diners have already been given a taste of what’s in store.

At special launch events in Forestside Shopping Centre on the 10th October and Lisburn City Centre on the 17th October shoppers were treated to cookery demos by local participating restaurants and food-sampling sessions.

Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Development Committee at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council said: “We are delighted that so many great eateries have signed up to take part in Restaurant Week 2015. There is certainly something for every taste, every budget and every age, and the list of special offers and events is almost endless.

“We’re building on what was achieved during Lisburn Restaurant Week in 2014 and in the first year of the new council we really wanted to highlight the quality of the food and hospitality on offer across Lisburn & Castlereagh – we believe it rivals that of anywhere in Northern Ireland.

“There are some fantastic money saving offers and discounts available throughout the week, which is great for consumers, but the ultimate goal is to increase visitor footfall at restaurants, bistros pubs and cafes.

“We want the event to have a lasting impact not just during Restaurant Week but year round, which is important for our local economy.

“The response has already been fantastic and it helps to bring people together as restaurateurs, funders, sponsors and local suppliers have all united to deliver a varied and entertaining week.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has got involved and shown their support, it is shaping up to be a fantastic event.”

Full event listings for Restaurant Week are available now at www.lcrestaurantweek.com

You can also find all of the latest deals, news and competitions on our Facebook page including the chance to win a brilliant trip for two to Paris, courtesy of Oasis Travel. Don’t forget to use our hashtag #eatyourheartout

Farming family goes the distance to raise over £10k for Huntington’s disease charity

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An Armagh family has gone the extra mile by running the Belfast City Marathon to raise more than £10,000 for a local charity that is close to their heart, Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland.

The family, who has been directly affected by the genetic condition, formed a relay team made up of Ivor Haffey, Jessica Haffey, Margaret Allen, Nicole Allen and Alan Hawthorne.

Between them, they raised over £10,200, which will help the charity to deliver support for families living with the disease in Northern Ireland.

Family spokesperson, Margaret Allen, who is Capital Projects Manager at the Mount Charles Group, said: “We are delighted to have raised so much money for such a good cause. I’ve been aware of Huntington’s disease from a very young age as a number of my relatives have been died from it, but it wasn’t until my sister Helen was diagnosed a few years ago that I fully realised the devastating impact that the disease has on those living with the condition.

“The local community has been fantastic and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every person that supported us. We would also like to thank the Armagh Ulster Farmers Union, suppliers to The Mount Charles Group, Kerry Foods Group and Linwoods who have all played a key part in helping us reach our fundraising total. We are simply overwhelmed by the generosity!”

Errol Walsh from Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland said: “We are thrilled with the level of support we have received from the Haffey family.

“Huntington’s Disease is a rare, inherited and highly complex condition that affects hundreds of people in Northern Ireland. The money raised by the Haffey family will go a long way to help us raise awareness of the condition in Northern Ireland, reduce the stigma attached to the disease and support local families living with it.”

Helen Hawthorne, who suffers from Huntington’s Disease said: “It’s been wonderful to see my family join together to run the marathon and help to raise awareness of Huntington’s Disease. I believe that taking part in the race has made us stronger as a family, with everyone supporting and encouraging each other with their training. I’m pleased that the money we have raised will go some way to help support other families who are going through the same as us.”

Huntington’s Disease, often known as HD, is a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. It usually develops in adulthood and can cause a wide variety of symptoms including involuntary movements, difficultly in speech and swallowing, weight loss, depression and changes of mood.

For more information on Huntington’s Disease or to make a donation to Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland visit http://hdani.org.uk

Hannans win Ulster Business Achievers Agri-business 2015!

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Hannans / The Meat Merchant are delighted to be named winner of the Ulster Bank “Ulster Business Achievers Agri-business 2015” at an event held this morning at the Ulster Museum.

The Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards received 676 entries from across Ireland. There are 8 categories and winners are selected in each category by province.

Hannans / The Meat Merchant as winner of The Ulster Business Achievers Agri-business now compete against the three Agri-business winners from Munster, Connacht and Leinster for the title of All Ireland Agri-business Winner and also against the other seven category winners from Ulster for the title of Ulster Business Achiever overall Champion 2015.

 

Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel Wins Excellence in Customer Service Award

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The Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Chalets have good reason to be celebrating having proudly been announced overall winner of the ‘Excellence in Customer Service Award’ at the Fermanagh Herald Business Awards sponsored by O2, Enniskillen.

The Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel beat off stiff competition from other local finalists which included Share Discovery Village, Axa Insurance Ltd and Colebrooke Spa to name but a few.

Commenting on the news David Morrison, General Manager states “We at the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel are delighted to be recognised for excellence in customer service. We work hard to ensure we deliver an excellent customer experience for both the local community and guests visiting the Fermanagh Lakelands’.

The Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel were also Highly Commended in the category of ‘Excellence in Business Practice Award’ for their on going investment in Investors in People, employees and overall business strategy. As part of this strategy the Killyhevlin lakeside Hotel launched the contemporary Kove Restaurant with further plans to launch a new conservatory area in early 2016 for Afternoon Tea and pre-dinner drinks.  Over the next 1-2 years the hotel plan to invest a further £2 million pounds in upgrading 14 lakeside lodges and adding 6 new woodland lodges.

Global Gold for RubyBlue Premium Vodka

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In The Prestigious Global Vodka Master 2015 competition

 

RubyBlue Irish Potato Vodka from Northern Ireland has been awarded a Gold medal at the prestigious Global Vodka Master 2015 competition. The Northern Ireland distillery had entered the competition for the first time.   The small batch vodka, which is produced by Hughes Craft Distillery at Lisburn in County Antrim, was launched in May by the company   Barbara Hughes, commercial director of Hughes Craft Distillery, says: “This is a marvellous endorsement of the quality of our newly launched vodka. Gaining a Gold medal in The Global Vodka Masters is really tremendous for the business as we seek to build international sales, especially within weeks of our silver medal in the New York Wine and Spirit Competition.”   “We are delighted by the response from the spirits and vodka experts in both the UK and the US. It’s such an encouraging endorsement of our quality and an incredible boost for our small batch vodka in the global marketplace.    “Since launch in May, we’ve been developing international contacts. This award will be extremely important as we seek to build on sales already achieved.   “The award is important because it raises our profile in a key market, the US and help us as we seek to build our distribution network there. It enables us set ourselves apart from competitors.”   “It’s the second international award for our vodka and can now join the string of awards and endorsements boasted by our fruit liqueurs. To win such a high profile award on a world stage is a marvellous stamp of approval for our craft distillery.”    Hughes Craft Distillery also produces the successful range of RubyBlue liqueurs in four natural fruit flavours; Wild Cranberry, Wild Blueberry, Wild Blackcurrant and Chilli Pepper.   Mrs Hughes runs the craft distillery with husband Stuart, the managing director of the small enterprise. The couple set up the first Independent Craft Distillery in Northern

 

Ireland when they began developing bottle conditioned RubyBlue liqueurs in 2010. As well as supplying both On & Off trade throughout Ireland the couple now export their RubyBlue Range to Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Australia. The Spirits series has fast become one of the most respected and high profile trade competitions in the industry, attracting vast numbers of entries from leading brands all over the world.   The Global Vodka Masters 2015 judging panel was chaired by Kristiane Sherry (Editor Spirits Business) and David Smith (Celebrate Spirits Consultant)  RubyBlue Craft Irish Potato Vodka is Ultra Smooth & Pure! It has an appealing nose with subtle notes of vanilla and crisp apple, buttery and well-rounded with a heartening earthiness and a long clean finish. RubyBlue Potato Vodka is perfect for those that like to enjoy Vodka Neat but also an excellent base for cocktails 

For more Information contact:

Barbara Hughes Barbara@HughesCraftDistillery.com

Or Telephone 07780117743

www.RubyBlueLiqueur.com

www.Twitter.com/RubyBlueVodka

www.Facebook.com/RubyBlueVodka1433373

ARTISAN PRODUCERS POP-UP AT BELFAST AIRPORT

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A pop-up shop championing Northern Ireland producers is going down a storm at Belfast International Airport. Called Ulster Artisans, it’s been open since Saturday 26th September.

The producers involved include Passion Preserved which is a range of chutneys and relishes.

“Customers tell me that they love that I grow a lot of my own produce and we end up chatting about gardening and farming in Northern Ireland” says Claire Kelly from Passion Preserved.

Baked in Belfast also makes marmalades and jams with quirky alcoholic additions. They also sell pottery. Many customers tell Leona Kane from Broighter Gold that they have never tasted rapeseed oil before. Harnett’s Oils are also there with their range of oils and dressings including Rapeseed, Hemp and Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Claire Kelly says that some people are buying from both Harnett’s and Broighter Gold because they love the fact that the two growing regions within Northern Ireland produce such different flavours within the oils.

Also on sale are Eleanor Craig’s Fudge, Neary Nogs Chocolates, who are the first ever bean to bar roasters and chocolate manufacturers in Northern Ireland. Abernethy Butter is selling there as well as City Cheese Alpine style raw milk Gouda and Young Buck which is Northern Ireland’s first raw milk blue cheese.

“The airport has been amazing and has given us such a wonderful welcome from management to all members of staff who love the fact that something local is available in the airport. Loads of staff are talking about starting their Christmas shopping with us!” says Claire Kelly.

“Because so many people have loads of time to kill we have in a way been “entertainment’ as well as they have wanted to chat to us about the food scene in Northern Ireland and what’s going on here with regard to food and restaurants.

“Passengers want the stories behind the product and we have been able to give that to them face to face. So many have mentioned the fact that the products are made by “real” people and that’s what they want to bring home. People have also commented on how nice it is to see small producers’ products available.”

Although they can’t be in the shop because of licensing laws, Ruby Blue Vodka and Liqueurs are for sale in Duty Free next door.

Everything is “flying” off the shelves, so maybe this pop-up will become permanent.