To tell the truth, I arrived in Northern Ireland with a bad presentiment (Sorry the text is starting badly). I thought that I should kiss cheeses, bread and other yummy produce goodbye. I am agreeing with you that it is absolutely “cliché” from a French person! Speaking about “cliché”, I can confirm that Northern Ireland is the country of potatoes for French people. But we mustn’t take care about the prejudices…and this travel could give me lots of unexpected food moments.

My first visit to the supermarket was really upsetting! A poor variety of vegetables and fruits and so many undiscovered foods… The weather urges on the import. I can understand that! My visit to St George’s Market in Belfast started to change my viewpoint on the know-how of Northern Irish people. In this fact, I felt reassured at the view of some food specialties like Fudges, Squares, goat, local cheeses, soda bread… Finally, the adaptation will be easier with these discoveries!

Over time, the luck came to me to taste new Northern Ireland’s flavours. On a Saturday morning, I met in my plate the inescapable Ulster Fry! A really rich and complete dish for a brunch (the black pudding with his oats mix is surprising). At this opportunity, I tasted the Soda bread and the Potato bread. I also ate Lough Neagh Eels – the flesh is fine. In Northern Ireland, you have some delicious cheeses (but not enough strong for me)! Then, the Irish Stew, the pasty, the boxy, the pies and the colcannon were on my tasting list, but it is not every time easy to find a restaurant which offer these traditional Irish dishes.

In parallel, the number of sweet foods is amazing! We could list the fifteen cake, Yellowman Honeycomb, a load of different Squares, Scones, Carrots cake, Lemon cake, jams, chutneys, relishes… I can add that it is better homemade! A quality guarantee when we are currently plagued by the globalization.

Writing about quality, Northern Ireland’s soil exactly provides many good basis products. Potatoes are a flagship product but we can quote too the chestnut mushrooms, the young rhubarbs and the famous PGI Bramley Apples. These apples are a great tasting surprise and so fabulous in a Soda bread. A perfect Northern Ireland’s turnovers… Stop dreaming!

Who could imagine that a small country could have a numerous food specialties? This is the reason why I encourage the visitors to come in this country with another way; a curious and respectful approach. Leave you guide towards the food markets and tempt by the Northern Ireland’s food!

 

Finally, I would like to bring so many Northern Ireland’s food in my luggage but I can’t…23 kilogram’s is not enough! Hopefully, I got back some valued recipes and taste bud memories. And yes, the good local food must stay local in the risk to become industrial food.

Celebrity chef Donal Skehan returns with a second series of Kitchen Hero: Donal’s Irish Feast and travels to seven counties to find interesting food producers. He visits counties Donegal, Antrim, Meath, Fermanagh, Cork, Down and Tipperary and selects a wide range of ingredients, including goat meat, apple brandy, chocolate, rapeseed oil and craft beer from which he makes the delicious feasts. An amazing 3 out of 6 episodes were filmed in Northern Ireland!

RTÉ One, Tuesdays, 8.30pm starting on 26 May 2015.

Schedule

• 26 May: (First Show): Featured Donegal filmed in Rathmullen House
• 2 June: Co. Fermanagh/Tyrone feast location Belle Isle Estate. Producers featured include Wild Sika Venison at Baronscourt, Tickety Moo Ice cream, and Boxty making at the Kissin’ Crust. The Belle Isle Cookery School is referred to and seen, although it wasn’t the main feast location.
• 16 June: Co. Antrim feast location Ardtara House. Producers featured include Broughgammon Farm with their goat meat, Glenarm Shorthorn beef from Glenarm Estate and Co. Couture Chocolates.
• 30 June: Co. Down feast location Crumlin Road Gaol. Producers featured include Keen Nut Butter, Marlfield Free Range Chickens and Leggygowan Cheese.

Make sure you tune in to discover more about some of our great local food producers!

It’s hard to believe we are in the middle of May already. This is just a short newsletter to keep you up to date with what has been happening and future events in The Old Post Office Tea Room, Pantry and Gift Shop.

We have recently installed a new digital slide show in the foyer detailing the history and restoration of the Old Post Office. There are old pictures and interesting facts so please have a look next time you visit and you might even see someone you know!

As always The Old Post Office Tea Room continues to support Kilmood Art Club and will have a new exhibition in the Garden Room throughout the month of July and August. This will showcase local artists and their wonderful talents. Their work always creates a great background while you enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea with us.

In the Gift shop, we have always got new and interesting pieces for you to buy. For the month of May The Old Post Office are offering a free scarf up to  the value of £20 with any purchase of our fabulous 100% recycled leather Paper Think handbags. Paper Thinks has two main concepts. Their first is colour. They believe that everyone has the right to pick the colour that influences them the most and their second is ‘Think Green’. This represents their love for the environment and the surroundings we live in, which is why they love 100% recycled leather. So their products fit nicely in the shop as they are also involved with Green Tourism.
Also in the shop they are pleased to be stocking items Flax Fox. Flax Fox is hand drawn impressions of memorable places printed on tea towels, mugs and postcards. Great gift ideas for someone living aboard.

The Pantry continuously has a good range of fresh food, made daily for you to enjoy at home. Throughout July they are encouraging you to ‘Shop local, support local, enjoy local’. To help do this if you spend over £20 in our pantry you can enjoy a free coffee and scone in their tea room, just show your receipt at the till.

For younger visitors in the summer months there is a new Kiddies Trail around the grounds. Some little creatures have to be found in order for the treasure be obtained. Hopefully the weather will hold and everyone can enjoy some fun in the sun. The Kiddies Trail fun sheet are available in the front foyer from mid to late June.

With Royal County Down hosting golfs Irish Open remember that they are on the Comber to Killinchy/Killyleagh Road (A56) leading to Downpatrick and Newcastle why not call in and enjoy something healthy or hearty from their breakfast menu to set you up for a day watching some of the world’s best golfers.

Finally The Old Post Office Lisbane are on Facebook and regularly post offers and giveaways so please ‘Like’ their page and keep up to date.

Alison

 

Some of our colourful Paper thinks Handbags.

Gift Vouchers always available.

 

 

Hannan Meats has been recognised in the illustrious Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Business Awards, in association with British Airways. The Moira based company picked up the award for Excellence in Innovation which was sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses.
As an independent producer, processor, wholesaler and distributor to the foodservice in Northern Ireland, Hannan’s has changed the way quality meat is being sourced through helping to establish a unique producer group made up of 58 farmers from across Northern Ireland.
More recently, the company’s innovative approach is reflected in its development of an inimitable salt ageing process which introduced two Himalayan Salt Chambers – a first in Northern Ireland.
Hosted by BBC’s Wendy Austin, over 350 people attended the awards at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood where after dinner guests were mesmerised by local mentalist David Meade.
Other winners on the evening included:
1 Excellence in Marketing sponsored by AGE NI Insurance and Personal Alarms
Winner – 3fivetwo Group
2 Excellence in Exporting sponsored by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Winner – AJ Power Ltd
3 Excellence in the Development of Management and Leadership, sponsored by the Department for Employment & Learning
Winner – Allstate NI
4 Excellence in Innovation sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses
Winner – Hannan Meats
5 Outstanding Service to Business sponsored by Tughans
Winner – Peninsula Care Services
6 Best Use of Digital and / or Social Media sponsored by Saville Audio Visual
Winner – Ulster University
7 Young Businessperson of the Year sponsored by ALMAC
Winner – Gareth Loye, CEO M&M Contractors
8 Excellence in Technology sponsored by BT.
Winner – PathXL
9 Best Small / Medium Business sponsored by Volvo
Winner Novosco
10 Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility sponsored by Asda
Winner – Coca-Cola HBC NI
11 Businessperson of the Year sponsored by British Airways
Winner – Brian Conlon, CEO First Derivatives
12 Overall Business of the Year sponsored by British Airways
Winner – Novosco

Photo Caption – Wilfred Mitchell, Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland Policy Chair presents Jim Hannan of Hannan Meats with the Excellence in Innovation Award. Also pictured are British Airways Ambassadors Christine Wright, left and Jayne Deasy.

Linden Foods in Dungannon, part of the Fane Valley Group, Northern Ireland’s biggest farmers’ co-operative, is helping ‘beef up’ Ulster Rugby’s bid for a home tie in the forthcoming Pro 12 league deciders against Munster and Glasgow.

The company is an Official Supplier to the squad and has been providing fresh 100 per cent local chicken fillets and rump steak for meals for players three times a week.

Niall McCool, Fane Valley Group Communications Manager, says:

“We are delighted to be playing our part in Ulster Rugby’s outstanding achievements in the Pro 12 this season. The squad’s performances to date have been very impressive, which is great for all their supporters, including Linden Foods.”

“This season was a debut year for Ulster Rugby providing their squad with breakfast/meals and for Linden Foods to be able to team up with Ulster Rugby and become Official Supplier is very rewarding. The feedback from players and management staff has been extremely encouraging and to hear that our award winning company is playing a significant role in this seasons success is a testament to the team we have at Linden Foods and our supply chain.”

“It would be fitting to see the team achieving victories over Munster and Glasgow Warriors to earn a place in the upcoming final at the Kingspan Stadium.”

Phil Pollock – Ulster Rugby, Business Development Manager

“Each season Ulster Rugby endeavour to make progress both on and off the pitch. In 2014/15 we believe we have taken great steps forward in many areas including the nutritional support, which we supply the players during each week of the training programme. These efforts have been supported by great partners including the exceptional products of Linden Foods.”

“Throughout this season Linden Foods have supplied the professional players with high quality chicken and beef proteins which allow the players the best possible requirements to support their recovery and development from a strenuous playing and training schedule.”

“We are grateful for the support and partnership which Linden Foods have supplied Ulster Rugby and we look forward to working with them in the seasons to come.”

Linden Foods is a leading Northern Ireland supplier of a range of protein meats including beef, lamb and poultry for customers including most of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. An innovation-focused business, the company has won a series of awards for its meals developed for retailers such as Marks and Spencer.