This spring, the exciting second phase of the Northern Ireland Seafood Trails is launching, with an extra 6 harbour hopping trails to choose from. The seafood trails are the perfect activity for an affordable family day out, and now with 15 trails to choose from, there’s something for everyone!

Discover new businesses with local recommendations on every map, connect with fishermen & seafood merchants and taste some of the best local seafood Northern Ireland has to offer!

Explore nature walks along the coast, get lost in 1 of 15 colourful maps! Learn about the fishing industry & seafood seasonality, complete fun fishing-based activities, uncover stories about Northern Ireland’s fishing history & heritage. Explore ancient harbours, secret coves, & bustling city ports, and meet the many friendly faces of the fishing industry!

Discover all the trails here: https://niseafoodtrails.co.uk/

Dunville’s Irish Whiskey (Northern Ireland) has won two major accolades at the World Whiskies Awards in London, picking up the titles of Ireland’s Best Single Malt and Ireland’s Best Single Cask Whiskey.

Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt 46% abv was named Ireland’s Best Single Malt while

Dunville’s also won Ireland’s Best Single Cask Single Malt Whiskey with PX 20 Year Old Cask Strength, Cask 1644.

The titles are the latest in a string of high-profile awards for Dunville’s, which is crafted at The Echlinville Distillery near Kircubbin, Co. Down. Dunville’s was also named Ireland’s Best Whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards late last year.

Shane Braniff, Managing Director of The Echlinville Distillery, home of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, said: “We are delighted to have been named Ireland’s Best in two categories at the World Whiskies Awards, further confirming Dunville’s place within the top tier of whiskeys in Ireland, if not the world. To bring these awards home to our independent, family run distillery is another huge achievement for our hard working team and industry partners.

“Ireland’s whiskey renaissance is seeing new distilleries and whiskey bonders compete among the top flight of global whiskey brands. We are immensely proud that Dunville’s is leading the way, out performing some of the industry’s biggest names to be named Ireland’s Best.”

Established in the city of Belfast in 1808 and originally produced at the Royal Irish Distilleries, Dunville’s was among the world’s most famous whiskeys until its untimely demise in 1936, when the distillery closed its doors and The Spirit of Belfast was feared lost forever.

The brand was revived by The Echlinville Distillery in 2012 with the aim of restoring it to its former glory. An aim that has been realised in the past few months with Echlinville now officially the home of Ireland’s Best Single Malt, Ireland’s Best Single Cask and also Ireland’s Best Whiskey, a title awarded at the Irish Whiskey Awards last November.

Jarlath Watson of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey, said: “We added Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish to our core range late last year to a great reception from our customers. The quality of the Palo Cortado casks really takes centre stage with this whiskey, boasting notes of stewed fruits, ripe plums, almonds, spiced banana bread, sweet tobacco, tiramisu and candied orange zest. It’s a great whiskey and thoroughly deserving of the title of Ireland’s Best Single Malt.

“Similarly, our PX Cask Strength whiskeys have gained a loyal following for their bold sherry bomb flavours. We are delighted to see Cask 1644 awarded Ireland’s Best Single Cask and we look forward to sharing it with our customers in the near future.

“As proud custodians of the Dunville’s name, we have been on a decade long journey towards restoring The Spirit of Belfast to its rightful place among the world’s best whiskeys. Our exceptional sherry cask finishes have earned a reputation for excellence and, in the last few months alone, have secured three huge awards. That’s a huge achievement for any distillery and is testament to the hard work and commitment of all our staff. Dunville’s and Belfast are well and truly back on the world whiskey map and that’s something we are all immensely proud of.”

Dunville’s 21 Year Old Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey is available from https://echlinville.com/shop/ priced £194.95. Also available from Specialist Whiskey Retailers.

Avondale Foods has worked with Asda to secure listings for six new salad lines under its Country Kitchen brand, which will be stocked across all the retailer’s Northern Ireland stores.

The six new products include Country Kitchen’s Pasta & Fresh Pesto Salad, Couscous & Roast Vegetables, Tomato & Feta Pasta Salad, Fruity Couscous, Supergreen Salad and Orzo & Slow Roasted Tomato Salad.

Lurgan-based, family-owned company, Avondale Foods was founded in 1965 by brothers Harry and Derek Geddis. “In the early 1980s, Avondale Foods became the first company in Northern Ireland to manufacture coleslaw,” explained Claire McConkey, Account Manager for Avondale Foods.

Claire continued, “We are delighted to build on our relationship with Asda by expanding our range to 15 Country Kitchen products currently listed in stores. Being able to extend our range in Asda stores is testament to our commitment to developing new products and our focus on using the best produce in our salads from local producers – as well as incorporating much loved flavour & ingredient combinations such as feta and sun-dried tomatoes – and basil and pecorino cheese.”

Cathy Elliot, Asda’s Buying Manager for NI Local added: “It’s brilliant to continue our successful relationship with Avondale Foods. We have worked hand in hand with the supplier since Asda first opened its stores in Northern Ireland in 2005. With the Country Kitchen brand as a firm favourite, it’s lovely to see the brand grow with us and further increase its distribution across Northern Ireland.

“The six new salad products give Asda shoppers fresh choices for salads for warmer weather, and we know our customers are going to love these new additions which will add variety for alfresco dining.”

The six new Country Kitchen salads are now available to buy instore or online at www.asda.com

Hospitality titan Michael Deane has been given a special award at this year’s annual announcement of stars. He was given the prestigious Chef Mentor Award 2023 a ceremony in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, on March 27th , 2023.

The award is one of five which recognises “exceptional people and remarkable teams who have particularly impressed the Michelin inspectors over the past year”.

A long-standing Taste of Ulster member, Michael owns five restaurants in Belfast including Deane’s EIPIC, Love Fish, The Meat Locker, Deane’s at Queens and Deane and Decano. EIPIC has held onto its Michelin star for the eighth year running. Michael Deane held a star for his Howard Street restaurant, Deanes from 1997 to 2010.

Fellow members The Muddlers Club and OX both retained their stars.
Congratulations to all three shining stars and well done, Michael.

Two of our members make up 66 per cent of the Michelin Bib Gourmands awarded on the island of Ireland. Just 3 places were given the nod this year and we are thrilled that two of them, Waterman House and Edo, are Taste of Ulster members.

Edo’s Head Chef is Charlotte Noren. She runs the restaurant with her partner Jonny Eliiott. Described in the citation as a modish bistro in the heart of the city with a faux industrial look, an international sharing menu where many of the dishes are cooked over wood.

Waterman House is part of the James St group. It opened in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast in 2022. Its head chef is Aaron McNiece. Michelin described the vibe as “buzzy” in a “characterful period building where unfussy modern dishes feature European flavours and Italy takes the lead.

Named after Bibendum- the official name of the Michelin man, the Bib Gourmand awards are given to places offering great quality, great value cooking. The new Michelin stars will be announced at a ceremony in London on Monday 27th March.