Start the New Year the “White’s” Way!

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Oats are widely acclaimed as a superfood boasting numerous health benefits including their high fibre content which eases digestion and helps keep us fuller for longer – so less snacking! In fact compared with other whole grains, oats have one of the highest concentrations of fibre, protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin E. The oat effect extends beyond the physical – oats help to keep us mentally alert too!
The good news is oats don’t just have to be enjoyed at breakfast! They are so versatile and can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas, not to mention nutritious snacks in between. Local cereal producer White’s Oats has teamed up with popular Ulster chef Paula McIntyre to create a range of delicious recipes using Speedicook Oats which can be enjoyed at home or on the go.

www.whitesoats.co.uk/recipes-a-ideas/lunch-recipes/item/145-cheese-and-onion-stuffed-oat-pancakes

www.whitesoats.co.uk/recipes-a-ideas/other-breakfast-ideas/item/144-oaty-wheaten-cob-with-treacle

www.whitesoats.co.uk/recipes-a-ideas/breakfast-recipes/item/142-blackberry-and-raspberry-granola-bars

www.whitesoats.co.uk/recipes-a-ideas/other-breakfast-ideas/item/143-honey-oat-cookies

Hilden Brewery targets export drive

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The unique taste of beer from Hilden Brewery is set to break into new export markets in the coming 12 months.

The planned expansion into markets as far afield as Canada, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Baltic Region is expected to lead to the creation of at least three more fulltime jobs at Ireland’s longest established independent brewery.

And in 2015 the family owned business will see its export targets fixed on breaking into the vast potential of China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Seamus Scullion, who along with his wife Ann, founded the company in 1981 has seen his passion for craft brewing transform Hilden Brewery into a brand with an international quality reputation.

He stressed that the commitment of Hilden Brewery continues to be one of bringing the craft beer experience to an increasingly diverse range of customers.

“Our market research shows there is a growing taste for our products across all age groups and backgrounds. Genuine craft beers, for example, have a brand image that is increasingly attractive to young professional women.

“That greater awareness of what craft beers have to offer will be demonstrated at the 30th anniversary of the Hilden Beer and Music Festival next August. People from all ages and backgrounds will have an opportunity to tap into a truly different taste experience.”

The qualities of the wide range of beers and ales produced by Hilden Brewery has been underlined by the company seeing off competition from over 130 rival craft brewers.

By winning the top prize at the International Craft Brewing and Distilling Convention in Dublin Hilden Brewery’s Twisted Hop brand came out on top against rivals from across the UK, Europe and the North America.

The company now plans to build on that success with the creation of additional facilities as part of a wider development project at the Hilden site just outside Lisburn.

It will include the company setting up its own state of the art bottling plant in order to cope with a doubling in maximum brewing capacity from 7,000 hectolitres to 14,000 hectolitres.

In the coming 12 months the Hilden Brewery complex will also be expanded to include a new business administration block, a tasting hall which will be part of organized tours of the brewery and a gift shop.

News of the brewery’s export drive and its plans to invest in new technology techniques was given at a special reception held by the Mayor of Lisburn.

Councillor Margaret Tollerton praised Hilden Brewery for contribution it has made to the economic and tourism life of the city over the last three decades.

And the Chair of Stormont’s All Party Group for Small Business, Judith Cochrane MLA, has described the achievement of Hilden Brewery as “an inspiration.”

“By showcasing successful local businesses such as Hilden Brewery it acts as the platform for other small and medium sized organization to also maximise their full potential.

“Hilden Brewery is a superb example of a niche market company that has proved how a vision can be transformed into a business that continues to grow and evolve,” she added.

BBC Food & Farming Awards 2014

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“The BBC Food & Farming Awards belong to everyone because it’s a celebration of the most delicious and important things in our lives. It’s a real chance for the public to share the food stories that really matter to them”.  Valentine Warner, food writer, cook and judge.

Two restaurant chefs, a prison cook and a celebrated food blogger are leading a BBC mission to find the very best in British food and farming.

Raymond Blanc and Richard Corrigan are being joined by Al Crisci, the founder of the Clink restaurant in Highdown prison and blogger Jack Monroe, on the 2014 judging team of the BBC Food & Farming Awards.

Along with cook and writer Valentine Warner, and critic and broadcaster Charles Campion they’re calling on nominations to find winners in 10 different categories; Best Food Producer, Best Drinks Producer, Best Food Market, Best Local Food Retailer, Best Takeaway/Street food, Best Cook, Best Food Initiative, Outstanding Farmer of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award and Food Personality of the Year.   

Each year the BBC calls on its audiences to nominate someone in their part of the UK for an award. As chef Richard Corrigan, “…. we’re always amazed by the stories that come in to us as judges, and we never know where in the UK the nominations will take us … from visits to cheese-makers and dinner ladies to farm shop owners and national retailers…. but we care about each and every one, the stories are inspiring”.

Nominations open on January 5th and can be sent in via www.bbc.co.uk/foodawards.

People can send nominations in all 10 categories; individuals and businesses can also nominate their own work. Close of nominations is Monday 27th January.

Over the years the awards have recognised people like school dinner lady Jeanette Orrey, who went on to help thousands of school cooks across the UK, 2012’s Farmer of the year Guy Watson, for his success with Riverford’s veg box scheme and national retailers like Sainsbury’s for its work supporting small scale producers.

Winning an award can make a huge difference to an individual or a business. Last year’s winner in the Best Food Market category was pHd student Emily Boothroyd who set up a farmers’ market inside Sutton Bonington University campus, she explained that “winning an award was life changing! It gave me the confidence to change my career path entirely, markets are now my life”.

Nominations open on January 5th, for three weeks only.

Anyone can send in a nomination, cooks, retailers, market traders can nominate themselves. All they need to do is go towww.bbc.co.uk/foodawards from January 5th.  Plus, keep an eye out for the Food Programmes Twitter feed, @bbcfoodprog using the hashtag #bbcfoodawards for all the latest updates.

The best ideas that come through the judging process will be featured on BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme and a special edition of the BBC Food & Farming Awards, also on Radio 4.

Presenter of the Food Progamme and one of the founders of the Awards in 2000, Sheila Dillon encourages you to get online to nominate ‘‘They’re your awards set up to highlight the achievements of people, mostly working under the media radar, who add to the quality of all our lives.’’

Once the judges have selected a shortlist for each of the categories, they visit each finalist in person. The eventual winners will be announced at the annual BBC Food & Farming Awards ceremony, to be held at the St Georges concert Hall, Bristol on Thursday May 1st. Shortly after, BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a programme featuring the winners and judges.

The 2014 Best Breakfast Awards!

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We at Food NI love our Breakfast. Research shows that eating Breakfast can make you happier & healthier. Some of our Taste of Ulster Members have entered the Best Breakfast Awards. The Winner will be announced during Farmhouse Breakfast Week (Sunday 26th January- Saturday 1st February). To Nominate/Vote or see how you can get involved please visit http://www.shakeupyourwakeup.com/content/2014-best-breakfast-awards.

If you fancy a hot breakfast (whether you call it Ulster Fry, Farmhouse Breakfast, Full Irish) why not check out…

Hasting Hotels (Europa, Slieve Donard, Culloden, Stormont, Everglades & Ballygally Castle)

Donnelly’s Bakery

The Bay Tree

Square Bistro

The Kissin Crust

Sugarcane Café Bistro

Rockmount Golf Club

SD Bells “Leaf & Berry” Tea Rooms & Coffee House

Killyhevlin

Katch 27

The Ryandale Inn

Or if you would like an alternative hot breakfast, check out…

Rayanne House

The Cuan

Or if you fancy a cold breakfast involving some yummy Clandeboye yoghurt why not check out…

Hasting Hotels (Europa, Slieve Donard, Culloden, Stormont, Everglades & Ballygally Castle)

Old Post Office Tea Room

Sugarcane Café Bistro

Canteen at the Mac

Dufferin Coaching Inn

Or finally if porridge is your favourite, have a look at…

Arch House

Keen Nut Butter

There’s something for everyone so make sure you place your vote today!!

 

Roll on 2014

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Happy New Year

All the staff at James Street South Restaurant, The Bar + Grill and Hadskis hope you had a great Christmas. Thank you for your continued support in 2013 and we look forward to welcoming you in 2014.

This year we have a MEAT LOVERS BANQUET in The Private Dining Room. For more information please visit our website or give us a call on 028 9560 0700.

Happy New Year

Niall McKenna

Forthcoming Events- Hadskis

We are kicking off the New Year with a series of Wine Monday nights at Hadskis. Wine Monday’s will offer you a 3-course meal with wine pairings for £30 per person and will follow a regional trail around the world. Tables will be bookable from 5pm. For themes and more information give us a call 028 9032 5444 or view our website.

In other news

There are plenty of Cookery School classes in 2014 for the novice or the accomplished cook. To view schedule visit our website.

Thee Plaice Restaurant & Ferncall Catering Services

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Thee Plaice is an established fast food restaurant in Omagh providing customers with fresh food daily.  The vast menu ranging from fish and chips to freshly prepared salads and wraps ensures that everyone that enters the door is catered for. The produce is sourced from local farmers and their ingredients are home grown were possible. They make their own chips each day on site to ensure the freshest food is being served to their valued customers. Their popularity can be seen through the well established customer base they have formed and continue to grow upon and this increased popularity has led them to take their food on the road.

Their outside catering business is based in Armagh and as well as being able to cater for a wide range of events they also run a smoothie stall.  No event is too big or small with attendance at events ranging from small vintage rallies to events such as Balmoral Show and their menu can be adapted to suit the particular event.  They also had the privilege of being chosen by Food NI as one of the main caters at the World Police and Fire Games 2013 with an attendance of 15,000 people.

So why are they different you may ask… they are so passionate about the food they serve to their customers and the presentation of the food served. This is proven with their dedication in ensuring 90% of their food is homemade with as much local produce from local suppliers being used in the process.  They are introducing a new food concept in the coming months which is not to be missed.  This particular food is not used a lot in the North or South of Ireland or England but is used a lot across the world.  This adorable product will soon be on their menu so watch out for it.

You can join them on Facebook or on Twitter @theeplaice.  For further inquiries or to book them for an event contact:

Managing Director,

Wayne McCall

Tel:02882249364

Mobile:07866486206