The DELI LITES IRELAND team is on cloud nine after winning a global award for its gourmet take on a ham and cheese toastie at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg.

WTCE is the world’s leading event for inflight catering, onboard services and passenger comfort.

DELI LITES IRELAND was named as a winner in the ‘Ones To Watch 2024’ category at the event for its hot-to-go sandwich ‘Gourmet Irish Ham Hock and Mature Cheddar with Guinness infused Rarebit on Bretzel Sourdough’. DELI LITES IRELAND saw off competition from companies around the world to win the top prize.

Team DELI LITES IRELAND created the sandwich to fulfil demand for restaurant-quality items for inflight catering.

Whilst developing the sandwich, the team thought about how today’s busy travel industry could seamlessly incorporate it into their menus, while also minimising food waste and ensuring ease of preparation.

The sandwich saw DELI LITES IRELAND win ‘Ones to Watch 2024’ for its use of locally sourced ingredients and consideration of the product’s expansion beyond Ireland.

DELI LITES IRELAND co-founder Jackie Reid attended WTCE in Hamburg and received the award. She said: “As award-winning food to go experts, we understand the ever-evolving expectations of consumers and the challenges these can present to the aviation and travel industry. The focus of DELI LITES IRELAND is to produce high quality, sustainable products, and to be awarded ‘Ones to Watch 2024’ for our gourmet ham and cheese toastie, that took both these things into consideration, is a huge win for our talented team. It was brilliant to be at the prizegiving ceremony in Germany and jet home with our award in hand. We’re all looking forward to celebrating this milestone moment together.”

“‘Ones to Watch 2024’ is the first global award win for DELI LITES IRELAND and I couldn’t be prouder of our team for this achievement,” added Brian Reid, DELI LITES IRELAND co-founder and CEO. “This recognition has provided us with a huge boost as we continue on our mission to reimagine how the world experiences food on the move.”

DELI LITES IRELAND’S win at WTCE comes after two of the company’s New Product Development Technologists were named among the UK’s top sandwich and food-to-go creators at the sandwich Oscars, the Sammies.

DELI LITES IRELAND, based in Warrenpoint, produces over 30 million delicious food to go and artisanal bakery items annually that are sold globally.

In 2022, DELI LITES IRELAND became the first sandwich manufacturer in the world to achieve certification as a BCorp company—a global initiative that evaluates businesses based on their involvement with people, communities, and the environment with the goal of transforming business into a force for good.

Whiskey innovators Two Stacks in Newry and Rostrevor’s Killowen Distillery are set
for fast growth in the US from a major distribution agreement with an industry leader
there.

The Co Down businesses, which also produce other premium spirits such as gin,
vodka, poitin and rum, have linked up with California’s Foley Family Wines (FFW), a
hugely successful family-owned wine and spirits company.

FFW has just announced that it has partnered with Newry’s Ireland Craft Beverages
(ICB) to import and distribute premium spirits from its subsidiaries Two Stacks and
Killowen Irish Spirits through its extensive wholesale and supplier network in the US.

The agreement is a major boost for the two local producers in the world’s most
important and fastest growing marketplace for Irish whiskey. It will see their products
on sale throughout the nation. It’s a further success for both companies in their drive
to grow export sales for Irish whiskey in particular.

Two Stacks and Killowen produce a range of premium spirits including Irish
whiskeys, gin, vodka and poitin. Killowen operates a distillery, near Rostrevor in the
Mournes, while Two Stacks creates, blends and bottles award-winning Irish
whiskeys and cream liqueur.

The small company also won international acclaim and exports for its pioneering
Dram in a Can, the first Irish whiskey to be produced in a can.

Entrepreneurs Shane McCarthy, Liam Brogan and Donal McLynn founded ICB in
2015 and Two Stacks bonding and bottling in 2020. They are also closely involved in
the development of Killowen Distillery.

Located near the Mourne Mountains, Two Stacks works with Ireland’s leading Irish
distilleries to commission heritage recipes, as well as source, and access whiskey
from a wide range of casks and distillates, creating unique and contemporary
whiskey products.

The impressive Two Stacks core portfolio includes The First Cut – Signature Blend,
The Blender’s Cut – Cask Strength Blend, Smoke & Mirrors – Peated Single Malt,
Double Barrel – Single Grain, Double Barrel – Single Pot Still, Double Barrel – Single
Malt, and Double Irish Cream Liqueur. FFW will also import The First Cut and
Double Barrel whiskeys, the unique Double Irish Cream Liqueur and ‘Dram in a Can’.

The company won double gold for its Irish Double Cream Liqueur and gold for
innovation in the World Liqueur Awards.

Killowen Distillery, founded and run by master distiller Brendan Carty, originally an
architect, in 2017 is one of Ireland’s smallest, most authentic and innovation-led
distilleries on the island. It is focused on producing historic peated Pot Still Irish
Whiskey, as well as poitin, gin, rum, and liqueurs.

Killowen’s unique Rum and Raisin, for instance, a 100 percent single malt Irish
whiskey was awarded double gold in New York earlier in the year.

“As we expand our spirits portfolio, the addition of Irish whiskey and other beverages
will complement our growing range of spirits from Scotland, New Zealand, Mexico,
Kentucky, Texas, and Nevada,” says Shawn Schiffer, FFW President. “Two Stacks
and Killowen represent the history of classic Irish distilleries and the creativity and
innovation that consumers across the US are seeking,” he adds.

“Two Stacks operates an independent bottling and bonding facility in Newry that is a
modern revival of Irish whiskey bonding, helping script a new and exciting chapter for
where Irish whiskey can go, through the custodianship of some of Ireland’s oldest
and newest whiskey distillates, harmonising blends to create unique and exciting
flavours within the category,” continues ICB’s Shane McCarthy, a founding director
of the Newry business.

“Foley Family Wines shares our commitment to quality and craftsmanship and is the
right partner for us as we expand our sales and distribution into the US,” he adds.
The latest statistics indicate the US opportunity for Irish whiskey. In 2023, 12.9
million nine litre cases of Irish whiskey were sold, a three percent increase from
2022 . Approximately 91 percent of Irish whiskey retail sales in the US are in the
premium+ category. The US was also the leading export market for Irish cream
liqueurs in 2023.

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, FFW is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and
spirits from some of the world’s greatest estates. The company owns more than 24
wineries, including some of the finest in California, and a distillery, each with its
distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality.

FFW has grown into one of the world’s largest producers of fine wine, adding some
of the industry’s most valuable wineries, located in the most recognized winemaking
regions, including Napa, Sonoma, the Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand. Today,
the Foley Family Wines portfolio boasts a number of the most-celebrated names in
wine, including Chalk Hill Estate, Chalone, Ferrari-Carano, and Sebastiani.

The Echlinville Distillery (Northern Ireland), a Food NI member, has launched
Echlinville – The Beginning, the inaugural whiskey release from Ireland’s first
Single Estate distillery.

Echlinville– The Beginning features two field-to-glass whiskeys distilled
exclusively from barley grown, harvested and floor malted on the distillery
farm. Every step of the production process – from mashing and fermenting the
grains, to casking and maturing the spirit, to filling and labelling the bottles –
has been completed on-site at the County Down distillery.  

This complete Single Estate story makes Echlinville – The Beginning unique
among Irish whiskeys. Echlinville– The Beginning features a pair of
exceptional seven-year-old double distilled Pot Still and Single Malt whiskeys.

The two bottle release is limited to 750 sets in a stunning presentation box. It
is available from The Echlinville Distillery and selected retailers from

Speaking about the launch of Echlinville – The Beginning, The Echlinville
Distillery owner Shane Braniff said: “This is a momentous day for everyone at
Echlinville as we unveil our inaugural Echlinville Single Estate Whiskey
release. A whiskey that is inherent to our land. A whiskey that values
provenance, community, tradition and authenticity.

“For more than a decade we have been on this journey to create whiskey that
is rooted in this place we call home – the beautiful Ards Peninsula on the
shores of Strangford Lough.

“Echlinville– The Beginning is a reflection of everything that is great about
this small corner of Ireland – the fertile soil, temperate micro-climate, saline air
and the people who crafted these whiskeys from the ground up.

“The Ards Peninsula has long been regarded as one of the finest barley
growing regions in Ireland. Local farmers would have historically supplied
barley to Ards Maltings, which provided premium malt to some of the
country’s biggest distilleries and breweries.

“The area has a proud, but sometimes forgotten, whiskey heritage. We are
delighted to have revived lost traditions, restoring malting and distilling in the
Ards Peninsula to create a whiskey that once again has a true sensitivity to
the place where it is made.
 
“Echlinville Whiskey has provenance, character and flavour that can be found nowhere else. This is a unique place with unique people and unique spirit, and that is at the very heart of our Single Malt and Pot Still whiskeys.

“This release is the culmination of a decade of hard work, passion and
perseverance by a dedicated team of people, unwavering in their commitment
to conceive a spirit from the ground up, rooted in locality and crafted with
patience and authenticity.

 “We believe in doing things the right way, not the easy way. We floor malt our
barley by hand, as our whiskey forefathers would have done. We distil slowly,
maximising copper contact to achieve a balance between complex character
and delicate flavour. We dunnage mature our whiskey the traditional way on
an earthen floor. This approach earned us a reputation for excellence and the
respect of our friends and colleagues within the Irish whiskey family. We look
forward to sharing this milestone with them.”

With classic Pot Still body and spice, Echlinville’s inaugural Pot Still release
showcases the distillery character. Sweet vanilla cream soda, fresh kiwi,
papaya fruits and fragrant pine notes with menthol, leading to toasted
almonds, ginger and warming white pepper spice, perfectly balanced and
enveloped in luxurious mouth coating Pot Still creaminess.

Full bodied and bold, the first Single Malt release speaks of Echlinville’s
distillate and its origin. Soft orchard fruits, fresh citrus, herbal notes and wild
meadow honey. Then citrus fruits, peach, blood orange, red berry, latte
coffee, chocolate and salted almonds, giving way to a finish of cedar, clove,
tobacco, ginger and cinnamon spice.

Mash Direct, a Food NI member, has launched its latest innovation: Crispy Potato
Slices!

This exciting new product is the perfect addition to our award-winning range,
blending the convenience of ready-to-eat food with the irresistible taste and texture
of perfectly crispy potatoes.

Ther Crispy Potato Slices are crafted from the finest potatoes grown on the family
farm, selected for their superior quality and flavour. Each slice is freshly cooked to
achieve a crispy exterior that encases a fluffy, flavourful interior before being lightly
seasoned, making it the perfect addition to your family’s mid-week meal or enjoy as
a tasty standalone snack during the weekend!

Adam Mark, Quality & Innovation Manager, says: “We are excited to finally release
our Crispy Potato Slices to the market after many months of development and
numerous iterations to deliver the finished product we are most proud of. My team
and I believe that this product will not only meet but exceed the expectations of our
consumers looking for quick, easy, and delicious meal solutions made from potatoes
locally grown on our own farm and cooked to perfection.

“Whether you’re planning a meal or in need of a quick, satisfying snack, our Crispy
Potato Slices are here to deliver an unparalleled taste experience. Don’t just take our
word for it, give them a try and let your taste buds be the judge!

“You will be able to pick up a pack in your local Nisa, Spar, Eurospar, Booths and
independent stores this week!

Fans of American baseball in London are set to enjoy the very best street food from
Northern Ireland during challenge games between the Philadelphia Phillies and the
New York Mets next weekend.

The promise of “a menu full of the best local Northern Irish produce paired with our
smoky American flavours” comes from Emily McCorkell, a native of Philadelphia now
resident in Londonderry and the owner of the award-winning Lo and Slo American
BBQ Sauces, a Food NI member.

In addition to creating BBQ sauces, Emily operates a hugely successful street food
truck. She started the enterprise in 2018 and has won widespread acclaim for the
quality and innovation of her food.

Emily is taking her food truck over to be part of the colourful “summer showdown”
surrounding the big Major League Baseball (MLB) game at London Stadium on 8-9
June.

“We’re really thrilled to be part of the food provision surrounding the game between
my home town team and the Mets. I’ll be serving our distinctive Northern Irish snacks
while cheering on the Phillies,” says Emily, one of the most popular and enterprising
street food ventures.

“We’ve been invited by JP Teti of Passyunk Avenue in London to be part of the
spectacular event. He’s a South Philadelphia native who owns a chain of Philly
cheesesteak dive bars in London.

“He’s hosting a mini-festival over the weekend in conjunction with the two-match
baseball series. We’ll be in the iconic Leake Arches for a market-style pop-up
featuring our BBQ menu with the best Northern Ireland meat, chicken and other
foods,” she adds.

In Philadelphia, dive bars are the cultural centres of the city. Dive bars in London
were created for American expats and others to enjoy American beer, eat authentic
American food, watch the Super Bowl and other sports like college football,
basketball and baseball.

Emily’s father, Rick Marschall, a native of New York will also be there and busy
cheering the Mets!

Tandragee-based White’s Oats, a Food NI member, has launched its new ActivOat
High in Protein range in Tesco Northern Ireland in a deal which will represent a 10
percent growth in its business with the retailer.

The duo range which is initially listed in 29 stores follows the recent launch of two
new additions to White’s Oat based breakfast cereal range- Toasted Oats Triple
Chocolate and Salted Caramel & Pecan Granola and reflects White’s continued
investment to widen the usage and enjoyment of oat-based breakfast cereals,
bringing the health benefits of oats to as many consumers as possible.

Made from 100 percent natural Wholegrain Oats with milk protein, White’s ActivOat
high in protein contains over 8.5g of protein per 50g serving, is low in saturated fat
and high in fibre.

The range consists of two core variants – Original, which contains no added sugar
and Golden Syrup which has been naturally flavoured and are available in a 50g
recyclable pot.

Each portion-controlled pot is ready in just 180 seconds, with the simple addition of
hot water. It has a low glycaemic index (GI) to slowly release energy throughout the
day and provides a quick, and nutritious boost for busy time pressed mornings or to
support your physical activity.

Danielle Mc Bride, Marketing Manager at White’s Oats, said, ‘’We’re delighted to
launch our new range of ActivOat porridge as we seek to support consumers of all
ages and life-stages in having a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Protein
continues to rank highly among consumer’s priorities when choosing what breakfast
foods to eat with 36% purporting to seek foods high in protein and fibre1. Despite
this, it can be challenging to get sufficient protein into your diet in the morning.
White’s ActivOat high in protein contains over 8.5g of protein per 50g serving and is
also high in fibre to help keep you fuller for longer.’’

Benjamin Mc Fadden, Tesco Trading Manager for Grocery, Household & Pet, said,
‘’We are really proud to champion Northern Ireland’s brilliant food and drink industry
and Whites is a great example of a business helping bring Tesco customers exciting
new and local products.”

‘’The new launch is an important extension to our instant porridge product portfolio
and demonstrates our commitment to the development of innovative products that
support the increasing demand for healthy, nutritious and convenient breakfast
solutions. The instant sachet and porridge pot category continues to deliver a strong
market performance, growing 8% in value over a 52-week period and 5% in volume
over a more recent 13-week period.’’ Danielle continued.

ActivOat High in Protein is available now at selected Tesco stores across Northern Ireland,
RRP £1.35.