Over this special weekend, many Larne cafes, restaurants and shops will be participating in the Larne Loves Food Event – look out for posters in premises to let you know that they are participating and check out the website – www.mainstreetcentralarne.com – for up to date details; this will be updated on a regular basis to let you know who is taking part. There may be a special “meal deal”, a new product to taste, new menus to try or other special promotions.

On Saturday 27 September there will be plenty happening at Broadway in Larne town centre, so make sure that you come and visit the stalls, watch the chef demonstrations and listen to the live music. The event starts at 10.30am and runs until 3.00pm so there is lots of time for you to drop by and enjoy the day.

Chefs from these restaurants will be demonstrating their culinary expertise:-
Café Riva, Redlands Road, Larne
Carriages Bistro, Main Street, Larne
Daniels @ The Five Corners, Rashee Road, Ballyclare
Billy Andy’s, Raloo and Sleepy Hollow, Newtownabbey

There will be a range of foods to try and buy with stalls including the following:
Island Shellfish – oysters available
Matassa and Carville – Italian street food
Ann’s Pantry – breads, cakes and lots more
Eleanor Craig’s Homemade Fudge
Londonderry Arms Hotel – promotions, wheaten bread samples
Sleepy Hollow Farm Shop – locally sourced items from the finest artisan producers
Café Riva – promotions and specials
Rose Cottage Homemade Jams and Chutneys

Plenty of other activities are taking place to help you enjoy the day:
Live Music by “Odibal” – playing at various times during the event
Giant paella by Carriages Bistro – come and try a taste of Spain
Larne Food Bank – find out how you can help the local community
Balloon modeller
Giveaways and many promotions

The first Larne Loves Food Weekend took place in September 2011 as a means of encouraging businesses to promote the wide range of great food available in the local area and build on an Oyster Festival event which taking place. This year is the fourth Larne Loves Food Weekend and all the activities continue to provide an opportunity for local food producers to showcase their talents, recipes and products. Everyone is welcome, local shoppers, visitors, family and friends.

For further information, contact the Town Development Office – 28263041 or 28263042 – bellh@larne.gov.uk or mcauleyp@larne.gov.uk

Enjoy a tasty recipe of signature menus, sensational culinary events and delicious local food in Belfast’s fabulous restaurants and cafés from 4-11 October.

Throughout the week, Belfast’s finest eateries will be hosting exclusive events and showcasing special menus using the finest local produce.

Events at Canteen at the MAC
Make Canteen at the MAC one of your hot spots during the week and try something new with our specially created events

Craft Beer & Cider Tasting
Taste a selection of NI craft beers & ciders with some well-matched food bites. A night of fun where you can test your knowledge.
Date: Sat 04 Oct
Time: 20:00
Price: £10
Call us on 028 9023 5053 to book your place.

Meet the Brewer
Join Rick LeVert from Kinnegar Brewing, Rathmullan, Donegal, as he talks you through 5 excellent craft beers from Kinnegar Brewing. The beers will be paired with 5 tasting courses.
Date: Wed 08 Oct
Time: 19:00
Price: £25
Call us on 028 9023 5053 to book your place.

The Art of Food and Wine
A special night of food & wine with guest chef Joery Castel. This culinary journey presents 5 courses with wine pairings to be enjoyed in the surroundings of the beautiful, award winning MAC building.
Date: Thu 09 Oct
Time: 19:00
Price: £ 65
Call us on 028 9023 5053 to book your place.

Coffee Brew Bar Masterclass
Ever wondered why the coffee tastes so good at Canteen? Now is your chance to find out why. Join us for our Coffee Brew Bar Masterclass. Enjoy extensive coffee tasting and discover the brewing methods from the experts.
Date: Sat 11 Oct
Time: 10am
Price: £10

Call us on 028 9023 5053 to book your place. Event almost sold out so hurry!

Professor Bob Elwood QUB Chair of Sloane 350 and Sir Hans Sloane visit Finnebrogue to personally thank Christine Lynn for the wonderful support the company continually show towards the Sloane 350 Chocolate and Fine Food Festival and as a token of his appreciation Sir Hans presented Christine with some Hans Sloane Chocolate Beans. The beans will be used by the chef to create a magical venison accompaniment. Professor Elwood explains ‘Finnebrogue have been the main sponsors of the festival since its inception in 2010 and their continual support has ensured its success. This year for the first time our festival will run over three days and it has something for everyone!

Our festival starts with a grand Chocolate Ball in the grounds of Killyleagh Castle on Friday 19th September. Our location is second to none Killyleagh Castle is the jewel in the crown of Strangford Lough an AONB and the Rowan-Hamilton family have been unfailingly generous in their support of our festival. We pay for the marquee from the proceeds of this ball and it will be used in a two day chocolate and fine food festival. Importantly, we have wonderful sponsorship from various organisations. Our main sponsor is Finnebrogue Foods, owned by Christine and Denis Lynn, are a shining example of how quality products lead to success. We also thank Food NI, Down District Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Rickety Bridge, Flo Gas, H3, Kings Bridge, Killyleagh Development Association, Elvis Kirk, Mash Direct, SD Bell’s, Simplicity Group and EE for their help in so many ways.

Our Charity

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month
This weekend we celebrate the life and legacy of Sir Hans Sloane in Killyleagh with a Chocolate and Fine Food Festival but Hans Sloane was also an eminent physician, collector and naturalist. He was doctor to Queen Ann, George I and George II but he still found time to treat those less fortunate than himself free of charge. He was involved with the establishment of the first Foundling Hospital in London which cared for abandoned children such was his benevolence. It is in this vein that we are proud to announce that this month which is Childhood Cancer Awareness month we are supporting the work of Cancer Fund For Children, Northern Ireland’s leading children’s cancer charity.

Gillian Creevy, Chief Executive explains,
“We understand the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis and its treatment can have on the entire family and that beyond the essential medical care, there is a family life that needs rebuilt both at home and in the community.”
“This year Cancer Fund for Children opened Daisy Lodge, a unique therapeutic short break centre, offering 500 families a year a relaxing short break during or after their child’s treatment.
All the proceeds from The Hans Sloane Festival will go directly to help support families like this. We urge everyone from around the Killyleagh area and beyond to come out and support the festival especially as September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month”.

Our Festival Programme

Saturday 20th September
11.45am Official Opening by DDC Chairman Councillor Billy Walker with invited guests
12.00am Gates open to the public

Saturday & Sunday
12 – 6pm Chocolatiers & Artisan Food Producers exhibit and sell in Fine Food Marquee. We have 14 chocolatiers and 25 artisan food producers attending
12 – 6pm Hot Food Artisan Producers exhibit and sell outside to the left of the Fine Food Marquee.
Our hot food providers include our sponsors The Good Little Sausage Co., SD Bells and Mash Direct.

Children’s Entertainments, Saturday & Sunday
12 – 2pm Stilt Walker welcoming attendees
12 – 6pm Climbing Tower
12pm, 2pm & 4pm Babcock & Bobbins Spectacular Show
1pm, 3pm The Great Mefiesto’s Circus Academy
1pm, 2.30pm & 4pm The Gathering Drum Circle
1 – 5pm Story Telling (Saturday Only)
2- 5pm Children’s Balloon Modelling
1 – 5pm Choc Chip Cookie Competition – Judging 5pm each day
1 – 5pm Children’s Art Area
1pm: 25 Down Recorder Competition Winners attend Aunt Sandra’s Chocolate Workshop
3pm: 25 Down Recorder Competition Winners attend Aunt Sandra’s Chocolate Workshop

Adult’s Entertainments, Saturday and Sunday
12.30 to 5pm Food NI Demonstration Kitchen on Stage within Marquee.
Well known chefs from leading Co. Down restaurants have been given the challenge of cooking something savoury using chocolate. Four Chefs per day with one Kitchen Confidential Session where ‘Jilly Dougan talks to chocolatiers and producers about their story – the pride and the passion!’

Saturday Chefs
12.30: Niall McKenna – James Street South
1.30: Will Brown – The Old School House Inn
2.30: Kitchen Confidential Session ‘Jilly Dougan talks to chocolatiers and producers about their story – the pride and the passion!’
3.30: Danny Miller – Balloo House
4.30: Paula McIntyre – BBC Radio Ulster

Sunday Chefs
12.30: Fritz Machala – Harrison’s
1.30: Joery Castel – The Boat House Restaurant
2.30: Kitchen Confidential Session ‘Jilly Dougan talks to chocolatiers and producers about their story – the pride and the passion!’
3.30: Stephen Jeffers – Belfast Cookery School
4.30: Fernando Correa – Quails at the Gallery

Further information from: www.hanssloane.com or follow us on FB and Twitter
Prof Bob Elwood QUB Sloane 350 Chairman e-mail: r.elwood@qub.ac.uk
Meave Davison Chocolate and Fine Food Festival Organiser e-mail: meave62@hotmail.co.uk
Ann Fee Sloane 350 Press Officer e-mail: ann_fee@hotmail.com

Seeing stars! White’s Oats, Northern Ireland’s only oat cereal producer is celebrating after being awarded an impressive nine Gold Stars for its range of oat based cereal products at this year’s Great Taste Awards. For the seventh consecutive year, White’s dedication, passion and expertise in growing and milling the best quality oats has been recognised by the Guild of Fine Food, the authoritative, Independent Standard for Britain’s Fine Foods Sector. Pictured amongst the golden fields of Tandragee just ahead of this year’s final harvest is Beatrice Agnew aged 4 from Hamiltons Bawn, Armagh.

White’s tastes success with 9 Gold Stars at 2014 Great Taste Awards

Local oat miller and cereal brand White’s Oats has once again enjoyed the sweet taste of success at this year’s Great Taste Awards taking home nine Gold Stars for its range of quality oat based cereal products.

The White’s ‘Great Taste’ Hall of Fame now boasts a grand total 41 Gold Stars – an incredible achievement for Northern Ireland’s only oat cereal processor.

Commenting on their success, Danielle McBride, Brand Manager of White’s Oats said: ‘’We are delighted that our cereals have once again been so highly received at this year’s prestigious Great Taste Awards. While we now hold over 40 Great Taste Gold Stars, the true stars are our loyal consumers whose love for White’s drives the passion and dedication we have for our business and our products.

Topping the pack at White’s this year was Toat’ly Oaty with added Multi Seed and Irish Oatmeal Steel Cut Oats which both received a double seal of appeal at this year’s Great Taste Awards each picking up two Gold Stars.

The Great Taste Awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the authoritative, Independent Standard for Britain’s Fine Foods Sector awarding commitment to truly great tasting quality artisan products. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’.

From food to fashion to film; celebrated flamenco, Bolshoi Ballet exhibitions, to uproarious comedy and the best of European theatre, Belfast is looking forward to raising the curtain on one of its busiest festival seasons ever.

Over 400 shows, events and exhibitions will be hosted in the Titanic City from mid-September to November, kicking off in the Cathedral Quarter with Belfast Culture Night on the 19th of September and culminating with the CS Lewis Festival in East Belfast on the 23rd of November.

Within 2 hours travelling time, and rail and accommodation packages from as little as £75, Belfast’s Festival Season will be enticing audiences from Dublin and beyond to make the journey north this autumn.

Anne McMullan of Visit Belfast says “Belfast’s cultural offering has never been stronger as we welcome international acts to join some of our best local talent in entertaining audiences across the city’s venues and attractions.”

“Visitors are constantly looking out for new experiences to make the most of their days and nights away and this year’s Belfast Festival season won’t disappoint with a 2 month programme full of food, fun, culture, arts and entertainment. One particularly unique event will be the Bolshoi Costume Exhibition at the Crumlin Road Gaol where some of the costumes will have never been seen outside Russia. ”

Featuring Europe’s top theatre directors and internationally acclaimed artists in dance, film, theatre and music, Belfast’s flagship festival, the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s will showcase a world class line-up of 110 events with 26 premieres from 18 countries filling venues all over Belfast from 16th October – 1st November.

Director of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, Richard Wakely added, “For over 50 years the Festival has been delivering new experiences to audiences from all over Ireland and bringing new audiences into contact with the arts. We strive to spark debate, showcase diversity in its broadest sense and demonstrate that the arts can entertain, delight, inspire and transform. I am confident that the programme for 2014 does all this and more and we’re delighted to offer opportunities to our friends in the Republic of Ireland to visit Belfast to see European
Autumn is traditionally a great time for a city break in Northern Ireland with plenty to appeal to the culturally and Irish premieres with these great value offers in association with Translink and Hastings Hotels.”
curious says Clare McCoy of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board: “Belfast’s venues such as the Lyric, Grand Opera House, Waterfront Hall, and Odyssey play great hosts to some of the best acts in the World, and with World-class restaurants, golf courses and coastal scenery on the city’s doorstep there’s plenty to see both day and night.”