Donnelly’s serve The Best Breakfast!

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It’s Farmhouse Breakfast Week and Food NI is proud to announce that Donnelly’s Bakery and Coffee Shop, Ballycastle was declared as the Northern Ireland Regional Winner of The Best Breakfast Awards, receiving the most votes in NI for their Ulster Fry!

Owner of Donnelly’s Bakery and Coffee Shop, Eugene Donnelly, was delighted to hear the news, “We are so pleased to win this award. We are a small bakery and coffee shop in Ballycastle, on the north coast of Northern Ireland we are very grateful for our customers who have voted for our Ulster Fry as the winner! We are a member of Taste of Ulster and use local products as much as we can across our menus and we are delighted to see people coming back time and time again”

Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an annual celebration which aims to enhance and promote the most important meal of the day whilst hoping to get individuals to ‘Shake up their Wake Up’. This year Farmhouse Breakfast Week is officially being held from Sunday 26th January until Saturday 1st February. All stages of the food chain are getting involved in order to raise awareness of the benefits of eating breakfast whilst showcasing the wealth of breakfast produce readily available across the UK.

The Best Breakfast Awards were being run in association with Farmhouse Breakfast Week, an initiative supported by HGCA. The Best Breakfast Awards were responsible for highlighting the range and quality of breakfasts being served by UK eateries (open to food venues of all types). Eateries’ ranging from cafes, restaurants, hotels and B&B’s entered their breakfast dishes into the following categories; hot breakfast, cold breakfast and most innovative breakfast. After months of searching and thousands of votes; the best places to eat breakfast across the UK have been revealed by the Best Breakfast Awards. Northern Ireland had many high quality eateries nominated in each of the categories of The Best Breakfast Awards 2014. Congratulations to Donnelly’s Bakery and Coffee Shop for receiving the most votes for The Ulster Fry! For more information, visitwww.shakeupyourwakeup.com

Photograph 1-Eileen McCloskey & Beckey McAuley

Photograph 2-Caoimhe Hunter, Eileen McCloskey & Beckey McAuley

Photograph 3- Eugene Donnelly

Pokertree Brewing Company launches its first product

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The rapid growth in the local craft beer sector is set to continue further into 2014 as Northern Ireland’s latest microbrewer launches it’s first product this month.

Tyrone-based Pokertree Brewing Company is the latest independent craft brewer to join the expanding list of local businesses producing handcrafted ales in recent years.

Artisan beers and ciders are seeing a surge in popularity across Northern Ireland, echoing wider global trends, which is seeing large numbers of drinkers moving away from more traditional mass produced brands in favour or more interesting and diverse offerings with local ties.

In development for over a year Pokertree Brewing Company has launched its first beer – Ghrian – this month right across Northern Ireland through a series of specialist outlets.

Ghrian, which in Irish means ‘Sun’ is a 4.5% ABV light golden ale with a pleasing hop kick and fragrant aroma that makes it stand out from more traditional lagers.

The beer is the first of four planned for release by Pokertree Brewing Company this year across a wide range of styles, demonstrating a flexibility which is one of the major advantages small scale brewers have over the larger companies.

Mr Nugent said: “We chose Ghrian as our first beer to launch as it is light in colour and in many ways resembles more mainstream lagers so we felt that it would encourage more people to take a chance and try it for themselves. When they do what they will find is a glass bursting with flavour from a number of different malts and bite from three types of hops giving it a depth of flavour that more and more people are seeking out.”

“We hope this will give people the confidence to then try other Ales that they may otherwise be reluctant to try due to how dark they are for example.”

“We have seen with the growth in popularity in events such as the Belfast Beer and Cider Festival and the increase in the number of local breweries across Northern Ireland that there is a real increase in demand for flavourful handmade and importantly, locally produced products that provide something different and unique.

All of Pokertree’s beers are made in the company’s own purpose built brewery, which is capable of producing approximately 20,000 bottles a week at full production, are suitable for vegetarians, are unfiltered and don’t  use any artificial additives or preservatives – something Darren is very passionate about.

“Many large brewers use things like rice and corn syrup to bulk out their beers, which are cheap and plentiful. The are often heavily filtered which actually removes most of the flavour and in many cases they use a range of chemicals in the manufacturing process, including an extract made from fish bladders and even plastic dust!”

“I wanted to make beer in an authentic, old fashioned way that was flavourful and challenging. It was important to me to ensure that I used only natural ingredients and I wanted to stay away from introducing anything into my beer that wasn’t there for flavour or added quality.”

Sales so far have been very positive and although only starting out the company already has medium term plans to secure outlets in both southern Ireland and Britain where the craft beer boom is already in full swing.

Pokertree Brewing Company products are available for delivery across Northern Ireland now. If you are in the trade and you are interested in stocking Ghrian or any future products from Pokertree Brewing Company call Darren on 07070131318 or email info@pokertreebrewing.co.uk

    

Watch out for a new street food sensation from Ferncall Catering this spring!

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Thee Plaice have a fast food restaurant in Omagh which is so popular they just HAD to bring their yummy stuff out on the road with the Ferncall Catering Specialists They use as much local produce as they can, even down to the bottled water.

Owner Wayne McCall is really excited about a new concept they’re bringing to the market this spring.

“It’s a mouth-watering dish which is used across the world, but it’s not that well-known in the north and south of Ireland.

“Keep your ears open and your mouths ready for it at events from April” says Wayne.

You’ll also be able to tuck into bestsellers like the Cloughbane award-winning 6oz Steakburger topped with fresh salad and chips and house dressing.

“We do as much as we can to support native producers and suppliers. We get our bread from Linwoods. Our herbs and vegetables are all home-grown by a local supplier and the sausages are from Pinkertons and Kee’s Saddleback pork” says Wayne.

Ultimate Ulster Fry- Ulster Bank and RUAS celebrate local food favourite

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Special breakfast event to mark Ulster Bank’s sixth year as principal sponsor of the Balmoral Show

What should go into the ‘Ultimate Ulster Fry’? Ulster Bank and the RUAS might have the answer.

On the menu at a special event this morning (January 23, 2014) in the James Street South restaurant to celebrate the much-loved local breakfast were:

-Sausages from Finnebrogue

-Bacon from Cloughbane Farm

-Mushrooms from Annaghmore Mushrooms

-Eggs from Ready Egg Products

-Homemade soda bread and potato bread made by well-known local chef Paula McIntyre, ingredients supplied by Andrew Ingredients

Accompanied by:

-Punjana tea

-Orange juice from Dale Farm

-Sauces from Harrison’s of Greyabbey

-Dromona butter

The breakfast was arranged by the organisers of the Balmoral Show, the RUAS, and the show’s principal sponsor, Ulster Bank, to kick off the prestigious event’s 2014 calendar.

In attendance were food and drink sector representatives, media and invited guests to sample some of the very best produce from a range of local food and drink sector companies – large and small – who are Ulster Bank clients.

Paula McIntyre, best known for her frequent media appearances, cooked the very special breakfast at the leading restaurant, which was developed in recent years with support from Ulster Bank.

Ellvena Graham, Ulster Bank’s Head of Northern Ireland, says: “Ulster Bank has a long and deep association with the agri-food and drink industries, working closely with many of Northern Ireland’s leading food processors, hundreds of primary producers and many suppliers, distributors and eateries. That association is very important to Ulster Bank, which is why we have organised this morning’s event with the RUAS and why we are continuing to support the Balmoral Show this year, our sixth year of principal sponsorship. 2013 was a fantastic first year at the show’s new home, Balmoral Park, and we very much look forward to building on that success in partnership with the RUAS.”

Colin McDonald, Chief Executive of the RUAS, says: “Northern Ireland should be very proud of the Ulster fry and the agri-food industry and we are delighted to be involved in this morning’s event as we look forward to planning and preparation for the Balmoral Show in the months ahead. We are particularly pleased to mark Ulster Bank’s continuing principal sponsorship, which is invaluable to helping the show go from strength-to-strength.”

Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank Senior Agriculture Manager, adds: “Working with Paula McIntyre, we have carefully selected and prepared a number of ingredients that celebrate and reflect the quality, diversity, and importance of the local food and drink industry. So we have products from well-known large processors who are major employers, excellent medium-sized companies and from highly regarded local producers. We think this is a great way to get the countdown to the 2014 Balmoral Show underway, which is the premier showcase of agri-food and drink in Northern Ireland.”

Ulster Bank has been involved in the Balmoral Show for many years, and became the show’s first ever principal sponsor in 2009. This year’s show will take place from May 14-16 at Balmoral Park and will be Ulster Bank’s sixth year of principal sponsorship.

Further information about the 2014 Balmoral Show is available from: www.balmoralshow.co.uk

Further information about Ulster Bank’s products and services is available from: www.ulsterbank.co.uk

 

Valentines Offers 2014

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 The Tullylagan Country House Hotel. Tullylagan Valentines Offer.jpg

 Killyhevlin Hotel. Lovers Friday.Treat your loved one this Valentines to an overnight stay at the Killyhevlin Hotel! Awaiting in your room will be a Red Rose and Chocolates. You’ll also enjoy a romantic 4-Course Dinner and Fully Cooked Breakfast the next morning from only £79pps. Offer is subject to availability.  www.killyhevlin.com/hotel-offers

The Cuan. The Cuan Valentines Offer.pdf

 House of Zen. House of Zen Valentines Offer.jpg

 Old School House Inn. www.theoldschoolhouseinn.com/restaurant/valentines-weekend/

 Tony Roma’s. Tony Romas Valentines Offer.pdf

  Del Toro. Del Toro Valentines Offer.pdf

The Horatio Group.

Kings Head-4 courses with a Champagne Cocktail on arrival – £19.95pp.

Molly Browns-4 courses and a glass of prosecco – £40 per couple.

The Northern Whig– 4 courses – £39.95 per couple.

Madisons Hotel- 4 courses with a Sparkling Strawberry Belini – £19.95 pp.

Horatio Todd’s– 3 courses and a champagne cocktail – £39.95pp.

 The Bushtown Hotel. Bushtown Hotel Valentines Offer.pdf

 Rockmount Golf Club. Rockmount Valentines Offer.jpg

 Arch House.  One night B&B 2nd night free and red velvet cup cakes with a drink £70 for 2 sharing, optional evening meal £16 pp.

 Europa Hotel. It will be love in the city this Valentine’s Day. www.hastingshotels.com/europa-belfast/Valentinesdayoffers.html

 Culloden Estate & Spa. Rediscover romance at the elegant Culloden Estate & Spa this Valentine’s Day. www.hastingshotels.com/culloden-estate-and-spa/Valentines_day_offers.html

 Everglades Hotel. A love that is Legend-Derry. www.hastingshotels.com/everglades-hotel/Valentinesdayoffers.html / Everglades Valentines Poster.pdf

 Slieve Donard Resort & Spa. A memorable romantic retreat. www.hastingshotels.com/slieve-donard-resort-and-spa/valentinesdayoffers.html

 Canteen at the MAC. Valentine Lunch – main and dessert £10 – 12 – 5pm – available Fri 14 and Sat 15th Feb.Join our Valentine Jazz Supper with live entertainment from Riviera Swing/Jazz Trio and a 2 course supper & a glass of wine – all for just £20 themaclive.com – Friday 14th Feb. Canteen at the MAC Valentines Jazz Night.jpg

 4th Wall. 4th Wall Valentines Offer.jpg

 Hilden Brewery. www.facebook.com/photo.php

 Sugarcane Cafe Bistro. www.sugarcanecafebistro.com/index.php/valentines

 The Old Post Office Lisbane. The Old Post Office Valentines Offer.jpg

 Mary’s Bar. Marys Bar Valentines Offer.pdf

 Pier 36. Pier 36 Valentines Offer.pdf

 Molly’s Yard. Mollys Yard Valentines Offers.jpeg / Mollys Yard Valentines Offer Vegetarian.jpeg

 Corrick Country House. Corick House Hotel Valentines Offers.jpg

 Rayanne House. Rayanne House Valentines Tasting Menu.jpg

 Yellow Door. Yellow Door Valentines Offer.jpg / www.yellowdoordeli.co.uk/

 The Academy. The Academy Valentines Day Culinary Journey.jpg

 Livestock and Meat commission for Northern Ireland. 

Love Lamb this Valentines Day with these delicious recipes!

www.nigoodfood.com/vBrookerProperty/668.aspx

www.nigoodfood.com/vBrookerProperty/670.aspx

www.nigoodfood.com/vBrookerProperty/672.aspx

www.nigoodfood.com/vBrookerProperty/671.aspx

www.nigoodfood.com/vBrookerProperty/669.aspx

 The Tullylagan Country House Hotel. Tullylagans Valentines Offer.jpg

CIEH piloting sustainability scheme within the SME food service sector

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health NI (CIEH NI) is giving local businesses in the food service sector the opportunity to make considerable financial savings and improve their environmental impact as part of a pilot scheme which will assess key areas of sustainability within the business such as waste, utilities and procurement.

The scheme which is in partnership with Food NI and Pubs of Ulster is supported by the Department of Environment’s Challenge Fund and will see participants receive practical, hands on, tailored advice for their business from a team of specialist advisors with considerable experience in the restaurant sector.

Speaking about the pilot Gary McFarlane, Director CIEH NI said “By identifying and adopting extremely simple solutions, restaurants can save money whilst also reducing their environmental impact, improving their economic performance and profitability and ensuring they stay in business, which has social sustainability benefits. For example, we can help businesses rethink and redesign their food waste arrangements and not only save money but potentially connect them to existing schemes that would see such waste reused and this is just one of the areas that our team of specialists can help with.”

Gordon Harvey, formerly of Botanic Inns will be heading up the practical aspect of the project and wants to encourage everyone within the SME food sector to apply. “We are looking for 15 companies within the food service sector in Northern Ireland to commit to a scheme that will undoubtedly be beneficial for their business. I would encourage anyone who would like to not only make cost reductions within their business but also make a difference to their environmental impact to apply to the scheme in order to receive the support needed to put the necessary steps in place.”

For further information and to apply simply download and complete the application form fromhttp://www.cieh-nireland.org/ and send, complete with payment, to CIEH NI Directorate, Philip House, 123 York Street, Belfast, BT15 1AB. The closing date for application is 31st January 2014.