Belfast Food Network are inviting you to the launch of the Belfast Sustainable Fish City Campaign.

A wine reception will  be held on Thursday 3rd July in the Banqueting Hall, Belfast City Council from 6pm – 7.30pm.

To find out more information, please contact Kerry on 028 9070 9227 or 07837868097.

Please RSVP Kerry Melville, Coordinator of Belfast Food Network

 

 

 

Oysters Restaurant in Strabane took the title of Restaurant of the Year at the Licensed & Catering News Awards, which were held at The Europa Hotel in Belfast on Friday evening, June 6, hosted by broadcaster, Pamela Ballantine.

The restaurant beat off stiff competition from a number of very highly regarded venues in order to take the title this year. Among those who had been in the running were Browns in Derry-Londonderry, The Boathouse in Bangor and Shu in Belfast.

Speaking after collecting his award, Kevin Clarke of Oysters said:

“It is a major achievement and it’s one of the biggest awards in the industry so we are really delighted. It motivates us now to see how else we can improve and we are so happy for the team and for everyone that’s involved.”

Host for the evening, Pamela Ballantine, presented awards in 17 categories to a packed Grand Ballroom at the Europa on Friday evening. Among the other awards presented were Off-Licence of the Year, which went to Direct Wine Shipments in Belfast; Best Use of Social Media in Hospitality, which went to The Albany on Belfast’s Lisburn Road and Guest House of the Year, which was won by Newforge House in Magheralin.

Speaking afterward, Bill Penton, organiser of the awards and publisher of LCN magazine, said:

“We’re just delighted with the way this event has gone tonight. These awards have always been about recognising and rewarding excellence across the hospitality industry and we’re very happy that we’ve been able to do that tonight in such a public way. It’s a great achievement to be named as a winner or a finalist at the LCN Awards, it’s a great morale boost and it recognises the professionalism and creativity of the businesses concerned. I’d like to say a very big well done to all our worthy winners tonight.”

Among the special guests attending Friday evening’s event were SDLP leader, Alasdair McDonnell MP; newly-elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Marie Hendron and the newly-elected chairman of the Institute of Hospitality in Northern Ireland, Michael Cafolla.

 

Caption: Pictured receiving his award from Andrew Schnell  (left), from category sponsor, Woodford Bourne NI is Kevin Clarke of Oysters Restaurant in Strabane.

 

If you need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Russell Campbell at 028 90 457 457 or email russell.campbell@pentonpublications.co.uk

Despite being turned down by Ards Council for support, a monthly Farmers’ Market in Comber will open on Thursday 3 July in St Mary’s Parish Church car park beside the Square, Comber. From 9.00am – 1.30pm. The artisan food market which has been pioneered by Councillor Deborah Girvan and supported by the Comber Regeneration and Community Partnership (CRCP) will give local food producers and growers an opportunity to sell their produce at market value prices to a wide range of customers. The market recently received a grant of almost £10,000 from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme and plans to buy stalls and promote the market have swung into action.

Councillor Girvan explained, “I have been working on the concept of a Farmers’ Market for Comber for almost two years. Last year, Ards Council turned down my proposal to start a Farmers’ Market citing that it would be too expensive for the Council to run and sustain. I was very disappointed that the majority of the councillors could not see the benefits and value that a Farmers’ Market would contribute to regenerating Comber and bring more business and visitors to the town. Because I believed so strongly in the project, I brought my proposal to the Comber Regeneration and Community Partnership and St Mary’s Parish Church and both groups unanimously agreed to support it. I am amazed at the number of people in the area who are growing, making and baking fabulous, speciality food produce. Over 15 stall holders have already signed up for the market and they will be selling local vegetables, fruit, chocolates, speciality breads, herbs, plants, fresh fish, macaroons, cut flowers, fudge, home-made sauces, relishes and jams. This is a market for people who are passionate about producing food for people who are passionate about eating fresh, seasonal, local produce! I would encourage any further local food producers (no crafts or hot food stands) who may be interested in taking a stall to contact me on 07870 173 805.”

Ed Murray, the fishmonger from Portavogie, who will be taking a stall said, “I have been selling fresh fish, prawns and crabs from my stall in St Mary’s Church car park on Thursday mornings for the past four years. I have established a regular and loyal customer base. Everyone is very excited about a proper market coming to Comber and I have no doubt that it will be a big success.”

Mike Moore, Chairperson of the Comber Regeneration and Community Partnership, said, “We are very excited about the prospect of a market coming back to Comber again. This is a big undertaking for the CRCP as a group of us have volunteered to run the market until it gets on its feet. Once it is established, we hope to appoint a market manager who will report back to the CRCP at our monthly meetings. “