Page 405 – Food NI

Taste of Autumn in Canteen at The MAC

Posted on September 25, 2014September 25, 2014

Canteen’s Taste of Autumn menu offers lots of fabulous new dishes using the very best of local produce.

Fancy a light bite Canteen style? Try three tapas and a glass of wine for £12.50!

From the 16th September to the 4th October, you can delve into the 1930s of Berlin at the MAC’s exclusive Kit Kat Klub for the musical sensation of the year.
Try the ‘Perfectly Marvellous’ Cabaret Special – an Absolut Caberet cocktail, charcuterie board and Premium seat all for £40!

Why not make Canteen one of your places to visit during Belfast Restaurant Week from 4th – 11th October. Try a
– two course lunch – main and dessert for just £10
– craft beer and cider tasting 4th October for £10
– meet the brewer 8th October £25
– The Art of Food and Wine with guest chef, Joery Castel, 9th October for £65
– Coffee bar brew master class 11th October £10
Check it all out on themaclive.com/food-and-drink

Take yourself and your colleagues to Canteen over the festive period – a three course lunch for £20 or a three course dinner for only £25! For groups of twelve the organiser eats FREE!

Please click on the images below for further details. For more information see http://themaclive.com/visiting-the-mac/canteen

Mash Direct – UN Family Farm Champ-ions

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014

Champ is taking its place at the global top table. This week Mash Direct Champ has hit the shelves in global retailer Carrefour in Dubai while at the same time the Hamilton family from County Down of Mash Direct have been named the Ulster winners of the FBD UN Year of the Family Farm Awards 2014. The awards, run in association with the Irish Farmers’ Journal, Irish Country Living, Teagasc and the Irish Farmers’ Association, attracted entrants from all over the country, with judges visiting a shortlist of 25 farms before reaching their decision.

Commenting on this achievement, Martin Hamilton said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Ulster heat of these prestigious awards. Our family have been farming close to the shores of Strangford Lough for six generations and we are immensely passionate about what we do. My wife Tracy and I had been successfully growing and selling vegetables for over 25 years before taking a huge leap into the unknown and setting up Mash Direct. We are now extremely proud to have both of our sons, Lance and Jack, join the business as it is very much a family run affair.”

It has been an incredibly successful year for Mash Direct, having just celebrated the company’s 10th anniversary, gaining listings in 363 Asda stores across the UK and most recently launching in the multinational supermarket giant Carrefour in Dubai to add to existing exports to the Middle East.

Martin Hamilton continued, “It is testament to all the hard work and commitment of everyone involved that we have just received orders from the Carrefour supermarket chain in Dubai. I am overwhelmed by the success we have had to date. 2014 has certainly been a whirlwind for our family and Mash Direct and we are deeply humbled by all of the support we have received from our friends, family and local community.”

The UN has declared 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming in recognition of the critical role which the family farm plays in food security, preserving natural resources and sustainable development. Each of the four regional winners from Ulster, Connacht, Munster and Leinster will present their stories at the Women and Agriculture Conference in October before the top award is announced in November.

Hilden ‘Craics’ Open the Celebrations

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014

Brewery toasts 30 years of the Hilden beer and music festival.

THE Hilden Beer and Music Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary in style during August with three days of live music, craft beers and gourmet food in the grounds of historic Hilden House.
The event, now one of Northern Ireland’s longest running festivals, attracted thousands of visitors keen to sample the flavour of the 35 beers and ciders on offer.

Accompanied by Hilden’s range of award winning brews, musicians from all genres took to the stage including local singer songwriter Bap Kennedy, Kaz Hawkins, Rackhouse Pilfer, Indigo Fury and many more.

“The line up this year was undoubtedly been one of our best,” said Seamus Scullion, the founder of the Hilden Brewery.
“We created something that catered for everyone’s taste and it was a great success. The atmosphere across all three days was tremendous.
“When we started the festival back in 1984 I didn’t think it would become as big and as popular as it has, but I’m proud that we’ve maintained the same friendly welcome and character through the years.”
Showcasing some of Northern Ireland’s finest local products and performers, the festival also hosted a “Fine dining at the Festival’ option, where guests could relax over a meal in the Brewery’s Tap Room restaurant. There was also a Family Fun Day packed with activities for all ages.
The event was boosted this year by significant sponsorship from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Lisburn City Council and the private sector. The Brewery also believes that the growing popularity of local beer has also has a significant impact on the high number of tickets sold.
“The craft beer sector is rapidly growing in Northern Ireland and we have seen this reflected by the increasing number of visitors to the festival each year,” Seamus added.
“It’s great to see the demand for quality, home grown products reflected by a desire to support local businesses. The entire industry represents a fantastic opportunity in Northern Ireland to create jobs and generate exports.”
For more information on the Hilden Beer and Music Festival find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

The Schoolhouse, Wine Evening

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014

The Schoolhouse is hosting a Wine Evening on Tuesday 30th September at 7pm.

Enjoy a 5 course menu with matching wines.

£65per person.

Welcome
Amuse Bouche
Graham Beck Brut NV

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Beetroot, Goats Milk, Granola
Torres Fransola, Sauvignon Blanc

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Butter Poached Monkfish, Courgette Flower, Lobster
M.Chapoutier, ‘Belleruche’ Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc

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Fillet of Hereford Beef, Field Mushroom Puree, Croustillant of Oxtail, Black Truffle, Red Russian Kale
Masi Campofiorin IGT

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White Rum Cake, Lime Curd, Palm Sugar Parfait, Coconut Almond
Duc de Castillac Monbazillac

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Chocolate Brownie, Caramelised White Chocolate, Honeycomb, White Chocolate Mousse
Churchill’s LBV 2007

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Petit Four

For more information, please phone 02897541182.

Italian Wine Dinner in Balloo House

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014

Balloo House are having an Italian Wine Dinner on Thursday 25th September 2014 for £70.00 per person.

Italian wines are a perennial favourite, renowned for their quality and broad variety.

Balloo House have teamed up with Northern Ireland’s leading Wine Merchant JN Wines to offer an evening of outstanding wine and sumptuous food.
Chef Danny Millar has created an exquisite five course menu to accompany the wonderful selection.

To reserve a table please contact Balloo House on:

Tel. 02897 541210 or Email. info@balloohouse.com

Please view the dinner menu below:

Dairy Council Calls for Increased Milk Consumption on World School Milk Day

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014

The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland is celebrating World School Milk Day by highlighting the importance of milk consumption for school children across Northern Ireland.

With approximately 60% of pupils making use of the EU scheme in which milk is offered at a subsidised rate, the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland is calling for this to increase by approximately 10% to ensure that more young people in nurseries, key stage one and two classes benefit.

Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, said: “A carton of school milk provides children with a natural source of many nutrients needed for their good health and development.

“As well as being fantastic value for money, milk is a rich source of calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth. A carton of break-time milk provides half of a five year old’s daily calcium needs. Milk also contains protein, potassium, iodine, phosphorus and B vitamins.

“It is important that we establish a routine for young people of drinking milk from an early age so that they will continue this habit into adulthood and benefit from the fresh, local milk that is on offer. Break-time milk provides a great opportunity to do this as well as offering children a good source of fluid to keep them hydrated and help maintain their concentration levels in the classroom.”

The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has been involved in running a number of initiatives in primary schools across Northern Ireland to make people aware of the benefits of milk for growing young people.

For more information and advice about the importance of milk consumption please go to www.dairycouncil.co.uk

Picture shows: Kayleigh Watt and Adam Hunter from Elmgrove Primary School help Emma Beacom from the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland to highlight the benefits of drinking milk for young people on World School Milk Day.

Picture shows: Joel Dickey and Bethan Jardine from Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast help the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland to highlight the benefits of drinking milk for young people on World School Milk Day.