Harnett’s Oils is a Co Down food business that grow oilseeds, cold-press the seeds to produce an oil which is then filtered to produce an extra-virgin oil. The oils are then bottled and hand labelled. The entire process from planting through to the final product is processed on the home farm; The Waring Estate.  The business is proud of the fact that the oil that they sell is produced all on the farm and specialises in knowing the exact fields that the oil is grown on.

Harnett’s Oils a member of Good Food Ireland and Food NI (Taste of Ulster)  where pleased to be a finalist for Blas na hÉireann (National Irish Food Awards) in Dingle, Co Kerry and as such went down to Dingle Food Festival for the awards ceremony last weekend.  The National Irish Food Awards had over 2000 products entered this year and this had been dwindled down to the final 250 products.

On Saturday 5 October Harnett’s Oils received a bronze award for Harnett’s Rapeseed Oil; a great accolade for the business.  This was exceeded further with the results of the National awards with all the businesses entered.  Harnett’s Oils went on to win AIB Business Diversification 2013 and in all Ireland Harnett’s Oils accepted the award for the coveted, ‘Best in Farmer’s Markets 2013’.

It was success all round with Jane Harnett commenting, “I am completely overwhelmed and so happy to see that what we do is being recognised.  Thank-you to the judges and the Blas na hÉireann team and of course everyone who have supported Harnett’s Oils over the years. ”

It is possible to purchase these oils in local delis, butchers and garden centres, all year round at St Georges Market on a Saturday or online at www.harnettoils.com and www.goodfoodireland.ie

A big congratulations to Harnett’s Oils!

 Competition in Pesto Making at Giants Causeway,

Qualify for the World Championship 

Thursday 24 October we have the first ever Northern Irish qualifying heat for the World Championship in Pesto making.

To participate, contact sarah@nigoodfood.com  or phone 028 90 249 449 by Friday 19 October.

To watch the competition, just turn up at the Causeway Centre before 8pm.

The winner will receive free travel and hotel to participate in the World Championship in Pesto making at the spectacular Palazzo Ducale in Genoa in March 2014.

As the competitors struggle to make the best pesto ever, Innova Irish Dance Company will give one of their fantastic performances, a heady mix of modern music and spectacular Irish dance.

Our Italian judges, who fly in from Genoa just for this event, will provide free samples of  pesto and give us a short demonstration of how to make the delicious sauce.

As the actual judging takes place, the famous harpist Maria McGowan will help settle the nerves with her beautiful music.

The doors open at 7.30, to secure a place in the audience and a free tasting, be early!

For more info check… www.pestochampionship.it/en/component/eventlist/details/153-Giant%27s%20causeway-%20la%20prima%20volta%20in%20Irlanda%20del%20Nord!.html

 

 

www.pestochampionship.it

Hastings Hotels are a proud sponsor of this event!

Twenty-two year old Belfast girl, Anna Carling, has won the highly coveted James Street South Bar and Grill cooking competition, an innovative culinary initiative  to celebrate the upcoming Belfast Restaurant Week which takes place this Saturday  5th until 12th October. Anna will now see her recipe feature as a ‘Restaurant Week Special’ on the menu.

After scrutinising a number of entries, the impressive judging panel compromising of Niall McKenna, Head Chef and owner of James Street, renowned food critic Joris Minne, well-loved chef and BBC radio personality Paula McIntyre and influential food blogger John Ferris, decided the culinary masterpiece of rhubarb compote, jelly and sorbet with a pistachio sponge should take pride of place on Restaurant Week’s menu.

Speaking about the award winning dish, Niall McKenna said, “Anna’s dish really is fantastic. The judges and I loved the use of fresh local seasonal produce. Anna has brought a fantastic range of flavors together for this mouth-watering recipe. It really compliments our menu at the Bar + Grill and we look forward to serving it up as a Special during Belfast Restaurant Week.”

“We would also like to thank and congratulate all other competition entrants. The standard of recipe entries was exceptionally high which made the decision a difficult one. Many of the entries displayed a fantastic use of local produce, using fresh fish from our own shores, local meat and home grown vegetables. I really believe the high caliber of entries reflects the quality of Northern Irish cuisine and the passion that local people have for fresh food.”

“I am really looking forward to welcoming Anna and her friends to the cookery school master class and hope she enjoys spending their vouchers in Le Creuset.”

On winning this prestigious competition Lisburn Road resident Anna said “I am absolutely delighted to have won this competition. I always fancied myself as a bit of an amateur chef. I love cooking and am really passionate about fresh food. I love experimenting in the kitchen and coming up with new and interesting recipes. It is such an honor to have my recipe rated by the highly esteemed judging panel. I can’t wait for my master class with Niall – it is a dream come true to cook with one of Northern Ireland’s most respected chefs.”

For more information about Belfast Restaurant Week please visit:  www.visit-belfast.com/food

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