Good Luck to our Taste Of Ulster Chefs

Posted on

BBC Two’s Great British Menu is back later in the summer. This  year the chefs must plate up perfection, as they fight it out for the chance to cook at a glorious banquet marking 100 years of the Women’s Institute at London’s historic Drapers Hall. The big challenge is to produce 21st century dishes that honour the custodians of first-class home cooking, and pay tribute to the generations of women who have helped make Britain the great culinary nation it is today. Chefs has taken inspiration from their families, to turn home-cooked classics into modern masterpieces.

The Women’s Institute was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women to produce food for the nation during the First World War. Award-winning critic Matthew Fort says: “All good cooking begins in the home. That’s why the WI has been so important to food in this country. It has established and maintained the highest of standards for home cooking.

Along the way, there’ll be both soaring highs and crushing lows as the chefs do everything they can to get their dishes onto the final menu.

We would like to wish the three Northern Ireland chefs Chris McGowan,  Danni Barry and Ben Arnold who are members of Taste Of Ulster all the best in the competition later in the summer.

Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend – 13th and 14th June

Posted on

“Get on my land!”

21 farms open their gates to public for unique ‘sneak peek’ at life on the farm

Excitement is building for one of Northern Ireland’s most popular summer events as 21 real, working farms across Northern Ireland prepare to open their gates, fields and farmyards as part of Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend.

The initiative which takes places on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June this year, saw almost 20,000 people attend a free farm event in 2014. Now in its fourth year, event organisers are looking forward to another ‘bumper crop’ of farm visitors for the completely free, not-for-profit project which was created by the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

Farms will have a variety of activities from guided tours, quizzes and games for children, to milking and sheep shearing demonstrations and delicious local food to sample. While the event makes for an excellent fun day out for the whole family, the focus is really on educating the public on the realities of food production. As Barclay Bell, Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, explained:

“A recent survey from the British Nutrition Foundation* has revealed that a quarter of 5-8 year olds in the UK believe that bread comes from animals and 17% think that fish fingers come from chicken! So it has never been more important to educate the next generation on the realities of food production. The event is a great day out but carries a serious message about food and farming and encourages respect for our local food producers.”

The full list of participating farms in Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend 2015 is:

 

  1. Longfield Farm, Eglinton
  2. Broglasco Farm, Limavady
  3. McIlroy’s Chickens, Coleraine
  4. Buchanan Turkeys, Upperlands, Maghera
  5. Vowgarve Farm, Ballymoney
  6. Carnany Farm, Ballymoney
  7. Broughgammom Farm, Ballycastle
  8. Glenballyeamon Egg Farm, Cushendal
  9. Glenarm Estate, Glenarm
  10. Ballycoose Farm, Ballygally
  11. Greenmount Hill Farm, Glenwherry, Ballymena
  12. Hillstown Farm, Randalstown
  13. Laurelview Farm, Templepatrick
  14. Ballylagan Organic Farm, Ballyclare
  15. Clandeboye Farm, Bangor
  16. Acton House Farm, Poyntzpass
  17. McClelland’s Farm at Clare Glen, Tandragee
  18. Armagh Apple Farm, Portadown
  19. Egerton Farm, Lisnavoe
  20. Cavanagh Egg Farm, Newtownbutler
  21. Tickety Moo Farm, Irvinestown

William Thompson, Agri Manager with event sponsor, Bank of Ireland UK has called on the public to support this year’s event:

“Last year almost 20,000 people supported this initiative and their feedback was amazing.  Farming and food production is often misrepresented and misunderstood. It is rare that our farming community can make time to open their businesses and homes to the public, so this really is a very special opportunity to experience life on the other side of the fence and to have great fun in the process! Bank of Ireland UK is delighted to be supporting local farmers and helping them to tell their story to the public.”

This year the popular UFU initiative will be working alongside the Armagh Show which takes place on the same weekend in June in Gosford Forest Park, near Markethill. The Armagh Show will have a host of attractions for visitors from farming and non-farming backgrounds and will be working with the local farmers participating in Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend to promote both events.

The range of activities on offer at each event will vary by farm, as will opening times, so please visit the website for full details of your nearest free farm event www.openfarmweekend.com.

For further information contact Claire Bonner/Marty Byrne/Suzie McDonald at Morrow Communications Tel 028 9039 3837

*Research by British Nutrition Foundation 2014 http://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritioninthenews/pressreleases/healthyeatingweek.html

Success at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

Posted on

Congratulations to Northern Ireland at the Gourmand World cookbook Awards last night.

As the sun went down over Yantai Wine Bay in Shangdong Province the stage was set and the 20th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards took place last night (09/06/2015).  205 countries were present with many sending their Ambassador to China to the Awards, some countries sent their Presidents.  Corporations, writers, publishers, printers and photographers were all present, and Northern Ireland for the first time ever was listed as a country at the awards as a food writing place.  Needless to say, Team NI did hugely well.

The Awards were set up by Mons Edouard Cointreau 20 years ago to honour those who “Cook with Words” and they are the biggest and most respected awards in the global food, wine and food TV publishing world.  To give a little idea of the size and success of NI, Delia came third in her category.  None of the other ‘celebrity chef’s’ in the UK even made the short list.

  • Food NI / Taste of Ulster came first beating Belgium and USA for their Taste of Ulster Guides.
  • Emmett McCourt came first for his book “Feast or Famine” for best Culinary Travel book
  • Noel McMeel came third for his book “The Irish Pantry”

World Cookbook Awards

James McIntosh Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Blog

 8th June 2015

Good morning from Yantai in Shangdong province in China. 9 miles of golden beaches and 35C. It’s the wine area of China and I’ve been to the vineyards, organic farms and seen the port that has been built to take the wine from here across the world. I assure you, the Chinese don’t think small. 205 counties are represented at the Gourmand Awards tonight and Michele Shirlow from Food NI is here and Emmett McCourt. The networking and opportunities are huge here.  Last night was spectacular. Food TV and drinks book awards. The opening by the Chinese to show their culture and country was spectacular and of Olympics quality. Michele and I have been on TV across China and many other countries promoting NI food. Tonight is the GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS at 4pm China time. We are 8 hours ahead.  NI IS UP FOR 9 awards in the shortlist across food writing, Health, culture, travel etc. Food NI, Viola Dono, Emmett McCourt, Cancer Focus NI and Noel McMeel are all shortlisted. Some in multiple categories. Due to Edouard Cointreau’s visit to NI many global food journalists want to come to NI. A huge global buzz has been made by Edouard about NI. I will video the categories you are in as they come on stage and will upload them to Facebook www.facebook.com/jameswhisk which will post to Twitter @jamesmcintosh as soon as I can.

When you see things please RT and share. Make noise today as NI has done so well as a global food writing place. Best of luck to all. To get so many short lists from NI has been a huge achievement. I’m so proud of you all. Global presidents are here too and we are telling them all “Our Food So Good”

9th June 2015

Today I’m giving a talk to the many countries present at the Awards in China about Northern Ireland food.  Many journalists, photographers and food TV companies have approached Michele Shirlow and myself about featuring Northern Ireland in their media, strong opportunities lie with Australia, Brazil, China and France.

I hope you will join me in congratulating Michele, Emmett and Noel in this huge global achievement for Northern Ireland.  What a great start to our Year of Food for next year.

In her acceptance speech (which can be found on my work Facebook page www.Facebook.com/jameswhisk ) Michele presented Mons Edouard Cointreau with a ‘Taste of Ulster’ plaque as a mark of international friendship, Michele Said:

“Food from Northern Ireland has really brought our people together, all of the communities now feel they have something they are really proud of, it’s our vision of the future”.

Michele and myself have been featured on many Chinese TV shows as well as the micro-blogging platform “Wee Chat” and “Webo” in China.

Michele is currently on the very long journey home, I will be staying until Monday to continue to promote NI to Chinese and foreign food media as “Our Food is So Good”.

Thank you all for your support. For more information on the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards please visit www.cookbookfair.com

In October at the Frankfurt Book Fair, there will be a special ‘Best of the Best’ of 20 years of Gourmand, it would be great to have a delegation from NI present.

As the awards finished, a very long treacle table was set up along the beach esplanade with everyone sitting on each side that went for as far as the eye can see with one long piece of dough on it.  We all sat together making dinner as instructed by the Chinese in a celebration of global food.

China Networking

 

McKenna Guide

Posted on

Well done to Harrys Shack who were awarded a place in the UK Top 100 Restaurants by Restaurant Magazine. Further congratulations to Broughgammon  who have received the McKenna award.

Licensed and Catering News Awards 2015

Posted on

This years Licensed and Catering News awards took place on June 5th at the Europa Hotel, the evening celebrated the success of the greatest of Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry. Congratulations to all our members that received awards;

Lifetime Achievement: Sir William Hastings

Guest House of the Year: Newforge House

Hotel of the Year (over 75 rooms): Culloden Estate

Restaurant of the Year: James Street South

Hotel Manager of the Year: Lloyd Jackson (La Mon)

Pub Food of the Year: Poacher’s Pocket

Café/Bistro of the Year: Jolly Sandwich

 

 

 

A Taste of Titanic

Posted on

 

It was the most luxurious liner in the world when it launched, and it was also the first time steerage passengers didn’t have to bring enough food with them to last the journey.

The menus of Titanic have been recreated for a new visitor experience at the award-winning Titanic Belfast.

The two hour food tasting tour will include a shipyard worker’s hearty snack and a First Class champagne treat.

The tours will take place on Friday 19th June and Friday 21st August. The £35 ticket will include entrance to the Titanic Galleries, a guided tour, food and drink tastings and a branded souvenir photo.

Tours will run at 6.30pm, 7.30pm or 8.30pm. To book, visit www.titanicbelfast.com or call +44 28 9076 6399.