Local cereal and porridge brand White’s Oats of Tandragee has launched a healthy multi-seed porridge into Tesco to join its successful range of Toat’ly Oaty instant porridge. White’s Toat’ly Oaty with added Multi Seeds is a wholesome blend of oats and crunchy seeds providing even more nutritional benefits than regular porridge.

Containing wholegrain jumbo oats with a mix of flaxseed, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, Toat’ly Oaty with added Multi Seeds is packed with energy and health boosting nutrients such as protein, fibre, omega 3 and b vitamins.

Trying out the new porridge out are the mums of the Tribal Fitness Pramtastic class with their own little baby bears.

Danielle Mc Bride, Brand Manager of White’s Oats explained, ‘’This latest addition complements the existing Toat’ly Oaty porridge products by appealing to both the health conscious consumer and those leading busy, active lifestyles’’.   ‘’The complex carbohydrates and low GI properties of oats release energy slowly keeping energy levels topped up throughout the morning and helping the body stay fuller for longer thereby reducing the cravings to snack’’. ‘’This is great news for mums looking to get their post baby bodies back in shape or indeed anyone looking for a healthy, low fat and power packed breakfast to get their day started’’.

Steven Murphy, Buying Manager, Tesco NI said, “We are delighted to be launching Toat’ly Oaty with added Multi Seeds from White’s.  They are a superb example of the Taste Northern Ireland suppliers at Tesco – a Northern Irish company using locally grown oats and delivering an innovative product.  There’s nothing else like this on the market at the minute and we’re delighted to be offering it to Tesco consumers.”

White’s has also launched a new Extra Fine Oat Bran product, favoured by the health-conscious for its cholesterol-lowering properties. This is due to being high in soluble fibre- beta glucan which has been shown to help reduce cholesterol¹.  As well as being eaten as a porridge, Oat Bran can be sprinkled onto low fat yoghurts, salads and used in dressings and sauces.

For more info on home-grown and locally made produce at Tesco follow on www.facebook.com/tastenorthernireland

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated Tyrone’s Corick House Hotel and Spa on achieving four-star status under the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Quality Grading Scheme.

The award for the Clogher hotel follows a major investment of £1.4million including £230,000 support from Invest Northern Ireland. A new extension has more than doubled the number of bedrooms and a new spa and leisure offering will also open later this year.

Speaking during a tour of the new facilities Arlene Foster said: “The investment at Corick House further enhances the accommodation and hospitality offering for visitors to County Tyrone and the Fermanagh Lakelands. The superb facilities and proximity to the many attractions of this wonderful area make for a perfect location and I commend the directors and management for their vision in taking Corick House to the next level of quality.”

The 17th century country house now has 43 bedrooms and luxurious suites, nine of which are decorated in period style and situated in the original Georgian building. The remaining rooms and suites are located in the new wing, finished to an exceptional standard with stunning views of the gardens, valleys and local countryside.

The hotel has also won several awards for its food offering and provides a secluded wedding venue and conference facilities for up to 400.

Caroline Adams, NITB Quality and Standards Manager said: “This is the first hotel in County Tyrone to achieve four-star status through NITB’s Quality Grading Scheme, which is designed to give visitors a clear idea of the standards of hospitality, service, cleanliness, comfort and food they can expect during their stay.

“Consumers very much value these star ratings and for providers it makes sound business sense for accommodation providers to become quality assured. I would encourage other hotels and guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering establishments in the area to follow Corick House’s example and lead.”

Avril Robson, Director at Corick House said: “It has taken a strong vision and a tremendous amount of work to get to this point, so we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised by the Tourism Minister and that we have been graded as the first four star hotel in Tyrone by the NITB.

“We believe this quality acknowledgement will give Corick House increased visibility, a sharper marketing edge and will appeal strongly to visitors to the area.”

We’re just bursting with pride here at Food NI. No fewer than 23 of our Producer Members have won Gold at the prestigious Great Taste Awards.

Hannan Meats of Moira – last year’s Great Taste Supreme Champion with Moyallan Guanciale has triumphed again. That Himalayan Salt Chamber has certainly earned its keep. Hannan’s entry of Salt Aged Rack of Glenarm Shorthorn beef gained 3 stars. In Great Taste Land, that means “Exquisite, Wow, Taste That!”

One judge said “It leaves me speechless.  It is absolutely a revelation” while another judge sat in silence, slowly savouring every last morsel of the beef before declaring it “incredible.  Buttery, melt in the mouth, full of long flavours and excellent fat”.

Also in the 3 star category were a number of other salt aged products; Euro Angus Cote De Boeuf, Euro Angus Fiorentina T-Bone,  Glenarm Shorthorn Fiorentina T-Bone, Euro Angus Sirloin, Seasoned Fiorentina T-Bone and Salt aged sirloin. A whopping 44 stars in total were awarded for 25 Hannan Meat products.

Also on the list of 3-star winners, it was double whammy for En Place Foods UK from Cookstown, Co. Tyrone  for its Sea Buckthorn Berry and Lime Jam a product which judges described as “an explosion of fabulous flavours” and Sea Salted Caramel with Fennel Pollen.  Four other condiments were also recognized. Well done, Jilly Dougan!

Bruce’s Hill Farm Shop took away four Gold Star; one for steak, two for sausages and one burger. Dale Farm impressed with their Dromona Butter, Cheddars and their Loseley Meadow range. Thompson Tea did the business again. Their new fruit blends like Turkish Apple went down a storm in a bone china teacup. Judges loved the Yellow Door’s Cumin and Coriander sausage roll and Beef Cheek Pie.

We all know how good Irwin’s Nutty Krust is. The judges appreciated it and three of their Rankin’s Selection breads too. MacIvor’s Dry Cider and McKee’s fish cakes were a hit as was the Heatherlea’s Brown Spelt Soda.  Mash Direct’s Mashed Potato and Bubble and Squeak Mash Pot went down well and Suki Tea took home four Stars.

Kettyle’s Dry-Aged Lamb Rack with Marrow Malt had them salivating.  Their Guinness Stincotta Ossobucco, Dry Cured Collar Bacon Steaks and Tomahawk steaks also hit home.

Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil 1 star, Glastry Farm 1 star for three ice-creams and 2 stars for Raspberry Sorbet

Forthill Farm took 3 for Pork Shoulder, Sausage and Fillet Steak. Two awards for newbies KookyCook Fresh Pesto and Basil Pesto. Three coffees and two teas from Bailies got gongs and Holmes Delicatessan Flakemeal Biscuits were universally liked.

Whites Oats won 11 awards (they liked their Steel Cut as much as their newer convenience packs) while the Armagh Cider Company got 3 and a new one for their Berry Cider. Linden’s got 5 for meat products including Lamb Shish and Rose Veal Sirloin.

The Good Food and Wine Company’s Marmalade with 24 Carat gold Leaf was a winner as were two of their juices.

We’re so proud of all our Producer Members. These really are the Food Oscars. By their own admission to win a Great Taste 1-star award is a great achievement, to win 2-stars means that many judges have been bowled over by the product, and to win a 3-star Great Taste award is comparable to a chef winning Michelin stars. It simply is seen in the world of fine food as a hallmark of taste, quality and excellence.

WELL DONE!

NI’s leading dairy business Dale Farm has ‘vaulted’ to new Olympic heights having been chosen as the dairy supplier to the Chinese gymnastics team while they prepare for the games in Northern Ireland. The team, which has been training in Salto Gymnastics Centre Lisburn, has been enjoying Dale Farm’s Spelga fat-free yogurt and semi-skimmed milk on a daily basis as part of its strict nutritional programme.
Having picked up a host of gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the Chinese team is firmly in the world’s media spotlight bringing acclaim to the excellent training facilities, hospitality and local produce of Northern Ireland – including Dale Farm.

As well as supporting the international hopefuls, Dale Farm has played a strong part in aiding young local athletes in their Olympic journey through its Dale Farm ‘2012 Dreams’ Sports Award. A £5,000 bursary – the largest individual bursary available in NI – is awarded each year to an elite athlete pursuing international recognition. Recipients include London 2012 hopefuls’ boxer Paddy Barnes, judo contender Lisa Kearny and this year’s winner triathlete Aileen Morrison.

Brian Beattie from Dale Farm said “The Chinese Gymnastics team are renowned for excellence, so we’re delighted that they have chosen Dale Farm products to fuel them in their journey. Supporting local sport and active lifestyles has always been at the heart of our business – most notably through our Sports Award which has provided over £30,000 worth of bursaries to young athletes since 2007.

We want to wish the Chinese Gymnastics team and all our home grown athletes the very best of luck at the upcoming games. It’s great to think that our products have helped fuel the world’s elite and might just help get them on to the podium!”

Kabosh are delighted to announce that their theatrical food tour Belfast Bred is back out this August, running every Friday and Saturday morning!

Date: 2nd – 31st August 2013

Meeting Point: Sawers Deli, BT1 6ES

Time: 10.15am