Armagh Cider Company has received two awards at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards, at a prestigious ceremony in Dublin.

Sponsored by The Benson Group, the awards were held in Dublin’s Round Room at the Mansion House, presented by leading Irish Chef, Neven Maguire, and were organised by Food and Hospitality Ireland backed by the UK Quality Food & Drink Awards.

Founded in 2005 by the Troughton Family, they are still the only Cider Company in the North of Ireland who handle all operations ‘from blossom to bottle’.

Mark Troughton, Director at Armagh Cider said, “We are thrilled to have received awards for our AJ Apple Juice and Maddens Mellow Armagh Cider. This was a prestigious event which attracted over 350 entries and showcases product excellence. We are honoured that our products were selected in the Cold Beverages and Cider categories.”

The Troughton family have been growing apples on their farm for over 5 generations. The first commercial producer in County Armagh, they produce a range of Ciders and Apple Juices primarily using Armagh Bramley Apples which have recently received a PGI status. Once the apples are picked, they are pressed, fermented, blended and bottled in their purpose built cidery based on their farm at Ballinteggart, Portadown; providing full security and control throughout the entire process.

To date this year, the company have also won two Bronze medals at the Great Lakes Cider & Perry Competition held in Michigan, two Bronze awards at the International Cider Challenge, a Silver Medal at the Royal Bath and West Society Show and 3 one star awards at the Great Taste Awards.

A significant increase in recognition has obtained sales from contact processing and bottling, with products also being exported to Finland and Russia.

FOSTER PRAISES INNOVATION OF LOCAL WINNERS IN IRISH QUALITY FOOD AWARDS

DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Foster praises innovation of local winners in Irish Quality Food Awards

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has praised the innovation of five Northern Ireland companies which gained six top category awards in the first Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards (IQFA) at an event in Dublin.

The Northern Ireland category winners were: Avondale Foods, Lurgan; Armagh Cider Company, Armagh, which gained two awards; Whitewater Brewing Company, Kilkeel and White’s Speedicook, Tandragee. Most of the awards focused on collaboration between the companies and leading retailers.

Arlene Foster said: “The awards are another tremendous endorsement of the high quality food and drink now being developed by our companies, both large and small, for major supermarkets. It is also further proof that Northern Ireland produce is becoming increasingly popular with shoppers both at home and in the Republic of Ireland.

“Retailers across the UK and Ireland are now working alongside many of our companies to create innovative food for their customers. Northern Ireland companies are coming up with meal solutions that meet retailers’ exacting requirements in terms of quality, outstanding taste and the provenance that consumers demand.

“Such collaboration is proactively promoted by Invest Northern Ireland through an extensive programme of meet the buyer events, and is contributing to the continuing growth of our £4 billion agri-food industry.”

The six NI products were among 37 products named by expert judges as IQFA 2013 winners. Overall 350 products were assessed by 70 judges.

The awards were presented by leading chef, Neven Maguire, and were organised by Food and Hospitality Ireland with backing from the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards.

Notes to editors:

1. The local winners and their supermarket partners were:

White’s Speedicook, Tandragee/Aldi – Luxury Fruit Porridge.

The company was also highly commended for its Oatilicious Jumbo Porridge produced for Lidl Ireland.

Armagh Cider, Armagh – AJ’s Apple Juice and Madden’s Mellow Cider

Avondale, Lurgan/Musgrave Retail Partners – SuperValu Irish Flavorita Tomato – Fresh Produce.

Linden Foods, Dungannon/Lidl Ireland – Heat, Eat and Enjoy Italian Meatballs in Arrabiata Sauce – Ready to Cook.

Whitewater Brewing Company, Kilkeel – Belfast Lager

Two local companies were also highly commended in their categories:

Moy Park, Craigavon for its Pesto Fillets with Spinach and Tomato

McColgan’s of Strabane was highly commended for its Saucy Steak Pie developed for SuperValue

 

Bring your  friends to join the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and Celebrity Masterchef finalist, writer and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli on Saturday 5 October 2013 from 11.30am when they will officially open Belfast Restaurant Week 2013 at Taste and Dine at Belfast City Hall.

The grounds of Belfast City Hall will be transformed into a mini food city for this fabulous opening event of Restaurant Week. Immerse yourself in Belfast’s and Northern Ireland’s unique foodie culture for this  two day showcase celebration of the best of Belfast’s food scene and local food producers. Meet some of the heroes of Belfast Restaurant Week, sample some great food and enjoy fascinating talks and demonstrations by leading chefs.

Featuring a variety of delicious food such as tapas, stew, ribs, steak, canapés, Indian food, Seafood and more from:

Restaurants

AM PM

Harlem Café

James Street South

Knife and Fork Grill

Molly’s Yard

Mourne Seafood Truck

Ramada Encore

Refresh @ Skainos Sq

Safa

SS Nomadic( Posh Nosh)

Ten Square

The Raj Indian Restaurant

Tony Romas

Producers

Belfast Cookery School

Broughgammon Farm

Eva Paris

Glastry Farm

Harnetts Oil

St Georges

You can also sample delicious treats such as cake pops, sorbets, french patissiere, oils and venison from local producers.

We look forward to seeing you there and hope that you are looking forward to a wonderful celebration of food and drink in Belfast throughout Belfast Restaurant Week.

Over 80 restaurants have signed up to take part in Belfast Restaurant Week and nearly 40 events will be taking place throughout the week.  To download your Belfast Restaurant Week brochure and plan your gastronomic week please go to: www.visit-belfast.com/food

Belfast Restaurant Week is supported by the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme administered by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board

FRYING TO BE THE BEST: NORTHERN IRELAND’S TOP FISH AND CHIP SHOPS NAMED

John Dory Traditional Fish and Chips in Belfast has today (Monday 23 September) been named as the winning fish and chip shop for County Antrim, County Down and County Armagh for the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award, as part of the 2014 National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

John Dory Traditional Fish and Chips will now compete against The Frying Squad in County Londonderry to determine the overall winning shop for Northern Ireland. These two shops will now be assessed by an industry judge, who will make an un-announced shop visit to conduct a detailed and in-depth judging inspection of premises and practices, including the tasting and testing of products. This judging stage will determine the shop that will be proclaimed the best in Northern Ireland and one of the top 10 in the UK that will fight it out for glory at the national final in January.

Competing across 10 UK regions, fish and chip shops batter it out against each other in the hotly contested annual race to bag the ultimate national title. The UK regions are: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, North East England, North West England, Midlands, Eastern England, London & South East England, Central & South England, and South & West England. A full shortlist of all area top shops can be found at www.fishandchipawards.com.

The awards ceremony will be held at The Lancaster London hotel on 22 January 2014 and will be hosted by Michelin-starred chef and TV personality Jean Christophe Novelli who will announce the overall UK winner.

Competing businesses have to fry at the top of their game if they are to secure the coveted title.  Shops are assessed across a wide variety of criteria, ranging from food quality to customer service, to product sourcing and sustainability practices.

Paul Williams, Chief Executive of Seafish, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the area winners who will now contest for one of the respective 10 regional titles.  Each stage of the judging process for the Independent Takeaway accolade further tests the competing businesses and the un-announced inspections by an industry expert will be no exception.

“Seafish have organised the awards for the past 26 years with the aim of showcasing the very best while setting increasingly high standards for the industry.  This year’s fish and chip shops have continued to rise to the challenge and we hope that they will reap the benefits for their great efforts.”

In early October Seafish will announce the top shop in each of the 10 UK regions for the flagship award. Thereafter, those regional winning shops will also be invited on an exciting study group trip, organised by the Norwegian Seafood Council and visiting the Norwegian port city of Ålesund, where group members will have the chance to discover and learn all about the supply of fish from Norway to the UK.

The overall winner of the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony to be held at The Lancaster London hotel on 22 January 2014, hosted by Michelin-starred chef and TV personality Jean Christophe Novelli.

Calum Richardson owner of The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, and last year’s national winner of the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Award said: “Winning the Independent Takeaway Award was a massive achievement and represented a major milestone for us.

“The turnover of the shop has increased significantly; immediately after winning the UK title, we saw a 100% uplift on the previous year and we’re busier than ever before.

“The National Fish & Chip Awards gives businesses the chance to challenge themselves and recognises the hard work and dedication that goes into everything from customer service and quality, to sustainability and great tasting fish and chips. It helps your business shine and it can really catapult your brand.”

The annual National Fish & Chip Awards recognise the quality and choice offered by fish and chip businesses across the UK and the event organisers are determined to find the best talent and reward those with the highest standards in the fish frying industry.

24 September 2013

Healthy eating further embedded in schools with launch of new policy

From today, schools must adopt a ‘whole-school’ approach to the provision of food to pupils and the teaching of healthy eating in class.

The launch of the ‘Food in Schools’ policy, a joint Department of Education and Department of Health document, draws together a number of existing strategies. It challenges schools to adopt a ‘whole-school’ approach so that children and young people receive a consistent message not only in what they are taught in the classroom about healthy eating, but also in the food that is available to them in the canteen, vending machines and tuckshops within their school.

Making the announcement, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “Recent years have seen great strides in ensuring the provision of healthy, nutritious meals in our schools. Not only do they provide health benefits to children, they also aid learning in the classroom and lead to improved educational outcomes.

“Today we are launching a new ‘Food in Schools’ policy that will build on this important work. The document, which will be issued to all local schools, will help ensure that all pupils can not only avail of healthy and nutritious food at school, but that they can also develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to make healthy eating choices and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

“The policy highlights that schools are required to provide education on nutrition and healthy eating from the foundation stage right through to Key Stage 4. It will ensure all pupils in Key Stage 3 (years 8 to 10) receive education in home economics and have opportunities to explore ways to develop a healthy diet and to learn practical skills in the safe, hygienic and creative use of food.”

The Department of Education has also produced an easy-read summary of the policy for pupils and parents that can be accessed on the Department’s website at: http://www.deni.gov.uk/food-in-schools-policy.htm

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “A healthy, balanced diet is vital for a child’s growth and development and for their long-term health and wellbeing. There is a well documented relationship between poor health, nutrition and low school achievement. As children and young people spend much of their time within the school environment, it is vital that the food offered in this setting is nutritious and beneficial to long-term health. Furthermore, ensuring our children have access to healthy nutritious food, and are provided with opportunities to develop relevant skills and knowledge, will support the development of healthy food habits that will last into their adult years, and this can reduce the risk of suffering obesity related long-term health conditions.

“This new Food in Schools policy will complement the work my Department, the Public Health Agency, and many other partners are taking forward through the implementation of the current obesity prevention framework ‘A Fitter Future for All 2012-2022’.”

Cross Square Hotel- the home of Nanny’s Apple Pie

Armagh’s famous Bramley Apples are never more delicious than when baked in an apple pie. The recipe at the Cross Square Hotel, set on the Square in the South Armagh village, is a family secret.

Nanny’s Bramley apple buns were first cooked at the family butchers across the Square by Bridie Carragher.  She worked in the last hotel in Crossmaglen; the Commercial, as a young girl. That early start in the hospitality industry is now continued by her son Eugene and granddaughter Fiona.

They make sure her Bramley Apple buns are served to tourists who visit the Cross Square Hotel. They’re just delicious with, or without a dollop of fresh cream and that all important cuppa.

Call in for one next time you’re down that way, or make a special trip. It’ll be worth it!

www.crosssquarehotel.com