The results have been announced of the winners in the Slow Food UK Awards and Food NI has been well-represented in the Northern Ireland section.

Slemish Market Garden won the Best Greengrocer and their own Frank McCooke won Person of the Year.

Seaview Farm was given the Best Butcher award. Ewing Seafoods was named Best Fishmonger and Edo Restaurant in Belfast was awarded the Best Restaurant/Eatery prize.

Every year, the Slow Food UK Awards highlight the best-loved slow food producers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are announced on Terra Madre Day.

One of the most important Food NI roles is to promote the local food and drink industry and especially the achievements of our member companies. One of the most important elements in our promotional activities is our extensive website (www.nigoodfood.com)

The mission of the website is to record everything relevant about the local industry including the much positive work undertaken by organisations and councils across Northern Ireland.  We believe that it has become the first port of call for all those keen to find out more about what is happening in the industry, the outstanding achievements of our member companies and the innovative food and drink being developed all the time by entrepreneurial and creative people.

We endeavour to offer a platform for all those involved in what is Northern Ireland’s single biggest manufacturing industry and a vitally important exporter. We record all the many successes on our companies in international competitions for quality and taste. These range from the UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann awards to the UK Quality Awards and the International Spirits Awards.

Our companies have an impressive track record of success in such awards. They can hold their own in quality, taste and innovation with the world’s very best.

And it’s important to remember that our food is now sold in over 60 countries worldwide, from the US to China and Sweden to South American. Our food today is to be found on the shelves of most of the biggest international supermarkets.  We look to the companies to tell us about their achievements as soon as practicable. This will enable us to reinforce their marketing endeavours.

We also support the website with a proactive and ongoing promotional campaign through several social media channels.

Our website is also constructed around our carefully developed around Our Food: the Power of Good marketing/promotional messages for the entire industry. We’ve invested heavily in this platform – with generous support from the Department of Agriculture, Enterprise and Rural Affairs Rural Food Development Programme.

Our extensive work with local councils and other bodies in sectors such as vegetables is also important to us. We are focused on strengthening the province-wide support eco-system for the food and drink industry.

This involves support for initiatives, the most recent being an imaginative programme by Ards and North Down Council to develop the local food and drink industry and help to enhance its existing contribution to the local economy. We’ve already support similar initiatives by other councils such Mid and East Antrim. Focusing on food and drink is a great way to assist start-up and established small food and drink enterprises in areas such as marketing, new product development, employee training and new jobs.

Our website is also an important reference point for national and international retailers seeking data on local companies and their products.

As I mentioned earlier, Food NI website has become an essential reference point for those interested in the local food and drink industry. It’s open to all our member companies and relevant organisations keen to see this important industry progress. We welcome success stories and other information from all.

Christmas has arrived at SPAR and EUROSPAR, with 100% of the dinner menu sourced locally.

Everything from the all-important turkey, ham, plus all the trimmings from sprouts, carrots, potatoes and parsnips are only travelling a short distance from local farms across the island of Ireland to stores, ready to fill up dinner plates come December 25^th.

Nicola Hillier, Assistant Produce Trading Manager at Henderson Group says provenance, quality and convenience are at the top of the retailer’s wish lists when it comes to sourcing all the ingredients to make up a festive feast.

Nicola commented; “Shoppers can be assured that all year round, we source over 75% of our fresh food from 180 local suppliers, which is more important than ever at Christmastime.

“Our sprouts, potatoes, parsnips and carrots all come from the rich soil of County Down’s fields. The Grove Farm turkeys are sourced from County Monaghan and the gammon joints are from Cookstown in County Tyrone. The Great Taste award winning desserts, from SPAR’s exclusive The Kitchen range, are also all made in County Armagh.

“This means quality, provenance and freshness are guaranteed and best of all we’ve got everything our shoppers could need for Christmas under one roof.”

Stephen Murdoch is a fifth-generation vegetable grower on the shores of Strangford Lough, and his farm has been supplying Brussels Sprouts, cabbages and leeks to Henderson Group for 15 years.

Stephen commented; “Each year, we grow around 1.5 million cabbages and leeks, while also sowing thousands of sprout seeds in spring, so they’re ready for Christmas – one of our busiest times of the year. Being based in County Down, with such ideal growing conditions, not only guarantees a higher quality of product, but also optimum freshness for the shopper thanks to our minimal food miles when delivering to stores.”

Nicola finished; “At SPAR and EUROSPAR, we aim to provide a choice of products that are convenient to the shopper with many of our community supermarkets’ in-store butchers offering fresh, locally sourced, high quality meat options for Christmas dinner.

“When it comes to all those lovely occasions surrounding the big day, our shoppers will also find a range of locally sourced party food in-store, that’s ready to pop in the oven at home, saving even more time for our shoppers.

“Many of our Great Taste Award winning desserts can simply be popped in the microwave, which gives our shoppers more time spent around the table with loved ones, in the run up to and on the big day.

“We’re making sure Santa is the only one that travels around the globe at Christmas, because your Christmas dinner really doesn’t have to.”

Dale Farm is reprising its role as sponsor of the Grand Opera House pantomime for another three years, a partnership which will see the local dairy company support Northern Ireland’s largest and most successful panto for more than 10 years.

This year’s show tells the magical story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and will bespectacularly brought to life from page to stage by a talented cast and creative team from Crossroads, the biggest pantomime producer in the world. With guaranteed laughter, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, stunning scenery and some magical special effects thrown in, the show promises an enchanting spectacle to entertain people of all ages.

The collaboration is driven by Dale Farm’s ongoing commitment to support the Northern Ireland arts sector, and the magic that happens when friends and family come together to experience the wonder of live festive entertainment.

Outlining the ongoing partnership Caroline Martin, Corporate Marketing and Communications Manager, Dale Farm said:

“Dale Farm is a farmer-owned, local company that is family focused and we are proud to continue our very successful partnership with the Grand Opera House panto, which is a real family festive favourite. Bringing family and friends together has never been more important and as a local brand which is at the heart of family occasions, we believe the panto provides a unique opportunity to reach various generations and help them make unforgettable and magical memories.”

Welcoming the continued support of Dale Farm, Ian Wilson, Chief Executive, Grand Opera House added:

“Our fabulous creative team and cast have excelled themselves once again to deliver what will be the Theatre’s biggest pantomime yet. We are delighted that Dale Farm has agreed to extend their successful sponsorship of the Grand Opera House, a move that will bring our partnership to over 10 years, a significant milestone for all involved. 

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will have all the usual ingredients of laughter, song and dance that audiences expect from the Theatre’s panto, but as always will have some magical surprises. This year, we are expecting an audience of over 75,000 and I can assure them all that they are in for another unmissable Grand Opera House festive treat. With limited tickets remaining we would encourage people to book now to avoid disappointment.”

To add even more delight to the panto experience, audiences of all ages will be able to enjoy delicious Dale Farm ice cream at kiosks throughout the Grand Opera House and take part in online prize giveaways.

The show will run at the Grand Opera House until Sunday 14^th January 2024.

Mourne Dew Distillery in Warrenpoint, a Food NI member, is now delighted to be supplying one of the world’s most prestigious restaurants, Core by Clare Smyth in London, for a unique cocktail in her new Whiskey and Seaweed bar.

Since 2017, Mourne Dew has been synonymous with quality and innovation in the art of beverage creation. With a commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients and an unwavering passion for the craft, the distillery’s spirits have captured the palates of connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike.

This step forward highlights the rich tapestry of talent and flavours that Mourne Dew contribute to the culinary stage. The company is thrilled that its uniqueness and quality is now being recognised by this renowned three-star Michelin star restaurant.

Clare Smyth, from County Antrim, has received numerous awards including three stars in the 2021 Michelin Guide, five AA Rosettes, ‘Best Gastronomic Experience’ in the Hardens guide 2023, Highest UK Restaurant in La Liste 2022, ‘Best Restaurant’ at the GQ Food and Drink Awards and the ‘Service Award’ at the National Restaurant Awards. Clare also received the ‘World’s Best Female Chef’ Award by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

In addition to enjoying Mourne’s spirits straight from their bar menu, Core has created a cocktail, ‘Pippin’, based around the distillery’s unique Pooka Irish Poitin Hazelnut liqueur.

‘Pippin’ is a blend of our liqueur (made with malted barley, poitín and hazelnuts), whiskey, chocolate liqueur, and barley sorbet.

“We confess that the idea of a barley sorbet was new to us, but when we made some ourselves and tried our own in-house version of the Pippin we were delighted with the results,” the company says.

Rich flavours of chocolate and hazelnut are cut through with whiskey and the sharpness of the barley sorbet.

Shoppers at the popular Belfast Christmas Market at the City Hall are enjoying samples of unique range of spirits from Moy, Co Tyrone, including innovative Armagh apple gin and rum, distilled by an experienced scientist.

The visitors are experiencing award-winning products developed by Dr Ulrich Dyer, founder and owner of Woodlab Distillery, home of Symphonia Spirits, and his team braving the winter freeze from a small stand at the front of the historic building. The distillery is pioneering a unique process of distillation that’s environmentally friendly and is a Food NI member.

The spirits are now widely available here, including from Tesco stores, as well as in the Republic of Ireland and further afield. His unique apple and rum gins also offer a new outlet for Bramley apples from orchards in Armagh. The apples are the only variety to have gained EU name protection.

Dr Dyer has succeeded in revolutionising the production of craft spirits here from his own professional background and through researching the world of luxury perfumery.

He has taken an inspired approach to capturing the wonderful flavours and fragrances of local botanicals in the most eco-efficient way to produce widely acclaimed spirits with a sustainable twist.

“The Christmas market is a great way to reach many thousands of shoppers and to explain to them what’s different about our portfolio of handcrafted spirits,” says Dr Dyer. “Of course it’s a bit chilly, but the chat with shoppers keeps us warm and busy. Business has been brisk.

“It’s an opportunity to explain to them how I approached the distillation process from my background as a scientist. I used my knowledge of the structure and properties of molecules to create a new and more sustainable way to distil craft gin, and rum,” he adds.

A former Harvard academic, Dr Dyer had successful career in the pharmaceutical industry and worked in the area of anti-viral medicines, helping to come up with treatments for diseases such as HIV and influenza.

A craft distillery, which has introduced a new skill to the predominantly rural community in Co Tyrone, Woodlab doesn’t have a significant marketing budget of larger enterprises, grasping every opportunity to reach out to potential customers at markets and other outdoor events across Northern Ireland. Such activities also support the listings by major retailers led by Tesco, an enthusiastic supporter of local distilleries and breweries.

Symphonia combines spirits, style and sustainability, he continues. A producer’s licence enables Dr Dyer and his small team to promote and sell the spirits at shows such as the City Hall market and from their visitor centre at the small distillery. He also runs a successful gin school there for visitors and tourists and an extensive warehouse.

The company was formed in 2016 by Dr Dyer after 30 years’ experience as a respected chemist. The company moved to the new distillery in Moy after outgrowing converted premises at his home nearby in Benburb, Co Tyrone.

The new distillery gave the entrepreneur greater scope to invest time and other resources in his science-led development of spirits using a unique process based on cold distillation and microwave extraction technology. These techniques help to ensure that the rich yet delicate flavours of the local botanicals, including apples from nearby growers, in gin production are extracted efficiently and preserved in the spirits.

He uses rotary technology proven to be the most efficient in terms of energy use. It’s the most environmentally friendly process because only around a fifth of the energy required for traditional distilling is used in rotary evaporation and the microwave process.

Woodlab, he continues, is “the only distillery in the world using these combined techniques”. “The technology is based on my scientific research in the international pharmaceutical industry on new product development,” he adds.

Accolades have flowed for the spirits. Symphonia Dry Gin, for example, was named Champion of Champions in the Irish Gin Awards 2019, a remarkable achievement for such a small business. Other international and national awards have followed including a silver medal in the International Wine and Spirit Competition, and two stars in the UK Great Taste Awards.

The small batch distillery currently produces three handcrafted gins and an apple rum with botanicals from the area. They are Symphonia dry gin, Symphonia Irish apple gin, Symphonia raspberry liqueur and Irish apple rum. “I was especially keen to use apples from orchards close to the distillery in Armagh,” he explains. The Bramley was an obvious choice, and we believe we’ve created something different in our unique Irish apple gin. It’s become a popular choice with lovers of a refreshing gin,” he adds.