The search is on at James Street South for eight Apprentices, aged between 16 and 24 who have the drive and enthusiasm to develop their skills and learn everything they can from some of the best chefs in Northern Ireland during the year-long placement.

The Apprentice Program will last for 12 months of which 9 will be centered on a planned program of college work with a 3 month mentoring and support to gain employment. On completion you will have completed the NVQ level 2 in Food Preparation and will have completed any essential skills work, which may be required. In addition to this you will have worked with the kitchen team at James Street South. As part of the Programme you will for no more than 40 hours per week.

As an Apprentice you will be based in James Street South Restaurant and you will attend college 2 days per week in order to learn and practice the skills required to support your progress. The college days will be spent with the Department of Hospitality and Catering at Belfast Metropolitan College in Titanic.

Assessments will be conducted at Belfast Metropolitan College by skilled tutors and the Apprentice Program will follow the traditional NVQ agenda ensuring that you receive classic tutoring.

Support

In addition to the tutoring you will receive training and development through weekly workshops in their Cookery School and also regular activities will be arranged so that you get a greater appreciation of food planting, management and manufacturing. The activities will be scheduled and will include meeting the producers and also the supply chain. Through this program it is hoped to equip the apprentices with skills for their future as a chef as well as equip them with great organizational and interpersonal skills for their ongoing careers.

 

On Completion

On completion of the Apprentice Program you will be equipped with the skills to get a job in hospitality and catering and the program will support you in finding full time employment. One Apprentice will get the opportunity for a Commis Chef position in James Street South Restaurant.

 

How to apply?

To apply for a space on the Apprentice Programme you will need to complete the application form. You can obtain a copy of this form from The Belfast Met, your school or directly from:

 

Contact: Geoff Kemps, Business Manager

Telephone: 028 9560 0701

To download the brochure or application form, please visit http://www.jamesstreetsouth.co.uk/Apprenticeship

Email: apprentice@jamesstreetsouth.co.uk

Address: 21 James Street South, Belfast BT2 7GA

Sloane 350 are proud to announce the launch of their 3^rd biennial Chocolate and Fine Food Festival which will take place on Monday 16th June at 4.30pm at Killyleagh Castle.  Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, Killyleagh Castle will be officiating with our Chairman Prof Bob Elwood QUB and Sir Hans Sloane aka local historian Clive Scoular. They will welcome our festival sponsors, exhibitors and unveil this year’s festival programme with Maeve Davison, Festival Organiser, and the Sloane 350 Committee.  But why celebrate Sloane why in Killyleagh, why with Chocolate and why with such style?

Hans Sloane was born in Killyleagh on 16^th April 1660, was educated at Killyleagh Castle and went on to become a huge figure of his time. He was both physician and scientist and held the very top positions in each area. He had enormous influence, considerable wealth and a passion for collecting all sorts of objects to make sense of the world. In short he had his own vast museum, which on his death was passed to the nation and became the British Museum. He had the idea of using chocolate (then only a drink) for medicinal use but found it too bitter and nauseous so he created a recipe with milk and sugar. That recipe was subsequently used by the Cadbury Brothers. He is remembered in Chelsea, which he owned, with Sloane Square and several streets bear his name and his bust is the first item on display at the entrance to the British Museum and also the foyer of the British Library. His name, of course, is now used in fun to describe the wealthy Chelsea set. Our nominated charity for this year’s festival is the Cancer Fund for Children and we are delighted to be able to support this leading children’s charity.

We will also be launching our Hans Sloane VIP (Visit be Inspired, Participate) Art Competition and the judges Alan Beers, Deepa Mann-Kler and Leo Casement will launch this innovative art competition with children from local secondary schools and the competition sponsors Simplicity Group and EE.

Join us and prepare for some serious fun @  www.hanssloane.com

Prof Bob Elwood QUB Chairman Sloane 350 e-mail:- R.Elwood@qub.ac.uk

Ann Fee, Sloane 350 Press Officer e-mail:- ann_fee@hotmail.com

Photographs by Alex Marr

Many congratulations to our FoodNI Board Member Howard Hastings who was awarded an OBE for his Services to Tourism and Hospitality in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Congratulations must also be extended to Jenny Bristow, Northern Ireland chef and broadcaster who has also been awarded a British Empire Medal.

As Platinum Sponsors of the World Police and Fire Games, Food NI would also like to congratulate Judith Gillespie and John Tully, were awarded OBE’s.

We would also like to congratulate Bill Wolsey who was awarded an OBE for his services to Northern Ireland’s Business and Hospitality industry. These awards mark the excellent achievements and the services of extraordinary people across the UK.

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. “