The new and improved Millbank Farm Shop in Saintfield, Co. Down has been opened after a significant investment by the McGowan family, who are sixth generation farmers from nearby Killinchy.

A new addition is a No Waste Station where you can reuse your own containers with a selection of nuts, dried fruit and whole foods. They also supply paper bags and glass jars if you forget to pack yours. You weigh what you like and only pay for what you need.

Emily McGowan says they have also introduced many new lines to the shelves “There are a few we’re particularly excited about. There are eighty different spices. Guiseppe’s do homemade pizza to cook at home and there is fresh pasta from Carlos Capparelli. Sushi is delivered daily from Sushi Gaz. Counter Culture and French Village supply bakes and bread while traybakes come from Brown Bean. Four Leaf sends leaves and tomatoes. We
also stock fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, fish, dairy and an array of fine foods.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday 0900-1730 and Saturday 0830-1700. 30 Main Street, Saintfield, BT24 7AA.

http://www.millbankfarm.com

All roads finally led to Dingle in Country Kerry at the weekend (30 th September-1 st October 2022) for the Blas na hÉireann finals; the largest food awards on the island of Ireland. Food NI members took home dozens of crystal trophies.

The bronze, silver and gold winners from Co. Antrim across a range of different categories are Dale Farm, Glenballyeamon eggs, Glens of Antrim Potatoes, Lacada Brewery, Suki Tea Makers and Tempted Cider Company.
The bronze, silver and gold winners from Co. Armagh are Karri Kitchen, Armagh Cider, Avondale Foods, CRAIC Foods, Daily Bake, Hannan Meats, Holmes Bakery, Kestrel Foods, L’Artisan Foods, Long Meadow Cider, White Oats and Burren Balsamics, who were also awarded Best in County.

The bronze, silver and gold winners from Co. Derry-Londonderry are Carol’s Stock Market, Corndale Farm, Taste Joy Company and Broighter Gold, who were also awarded Best in County. The bronze, silver and gold winners from Co. Down are, Bró Coffee, Deli Lites Ireland, Lick Gelato, Longbridge Drinks, Papas Mineral Company and Rooney Fish. The bronze, silver and gold winners from Co. Tyrone across a range of different categories are En Place Foods, Ispini Charcuterie and Karro.

This year’s finalists and winners got to experience the Blas Village for the first time. Located in the heart of Dingle, this pop-up village was built for producers across the country to come together and celebrate the very best of Irish food and drink for Blas’s first in-person event in three years. As well as the awards being held there, finalists and winners have had the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. Finalists and winners showcased their produce in a new tented market—each tent highlighting a province in Ireland—also a new addition to the festival. Suitably named Eat Ireland in a Day, visitors were able to enjoy the high calibre quality of food & drinks that reached the finalist stage.

Speaking after the announcement Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann said, “After a three-year hiatus from an in-person event, having a three-day event with the addition of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day has been worth the wait. I am really proud of what we hosted online but one thing that was repeated over and over was that people missed being in Dingle. As well as the excitement of the awards, it has been an intense and fantastic few days of focused networking, catch-ups and creating new connections and I am delighted that we have been able to showcase this exceptional produce to both regular visitors and industry experts in such an approachable and enjoyable way. What a great few days to welcome our Blas family back to Dingle.”

Now in their 15th year, Blas na hÉireann saw a huge increase in entries with almost 3000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time.

The shortlist has been announced for the Irish Food and Wine Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards 2002. Taste of Ulster members in the running for Best Restaurant include Ox, Deanes Eipic, The Muddlers Club, Waterman in Belfast and Wine and Brine in Moira.

Best Chef nominees are Stephen Toman, Ox Alex Greene, Deanes Eipic, Belfast, Chris McGowan, Wine & Brine, Moira, Down, Ian Orr, Browns, Derr, Gareth McCaughey, The Muddlers Club and Aaron McNeice, The Waterman, Belfast The Parson’s Nose, Hillsborough, and The Holestone, Ballymoney, both County Antrim are in the mix for Best Casual Dining.

Best wine experience contenders are Ox, The Muddlers Club and Deanes Eipic- all in Belfast The Jolly Sandwich Bar, Enniskillen has been shortlisted in the Best Sandwich Bar category while Nicole Crowe from Ox, Belfast is up for a Best Pastry Chef Award. The River Room Restaurant, Galgorm, Antrim and Taylor & Clay, The Bullitt Hotel, Belfast are in the Best Hotel Restaurant section.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on November 7th 2022. Good luck to all of you!

Chef Rob Curley of Slemish Market Supper Club will be competing against 21 of the best Patatas Bravas chefs in the city of Palencia in the Castile Y Leon Region, Spain on Monday 26th September.

Patatas Bravas translates as “fierce potatoes” because of their spicy tomato sauce. It is one of the most popular tapas dishes in Spain. Rob’s entry is called Son’s of Tapa’s Patatas Bravas. It has Boxty potato Skulls and bones, a Son’s of Tapa’s spicy tomato Bravas mousse and turf-smoked Garlic Aioli. Just one other of the 22 finalists (a chef from Andorra) is from outside Spain. The winner will receive a work of art by the internationally renowned Palencian painter Antonio Guzman Capel, 750 euro in cash awarded by Vermut Yzaguirre, 1500 bottles of Fuentes de Lebanza water and a professional video-report for social networks valued at 500 euro, courtesy of the production company Oceangrain Audiovisual. The final will be live streamed on YouTube from 9 am to 5 pm.

Follow Slemish Market Supper Club social media for updates.

http://www.facebook.com/slemishmarketsupperclub
http://www.instagram.com/slemishmarketsclub
http://www.palenciabrava.es

Three Taste of Ulster members took home top awards at a ceremony in Dublin on 19th September 2022. They were for the all-island winners of the Restaurant Association of Ireland annual awards.

Deane’s EIPIC, Belfast won Best Restaurant in Ulster. This award is for places which deliver on allaspects of an outstanding dining experience. The winner of Best Wine Experience in Ulster was Ox Cave in Belfast. It is given for a well-chosen selection from quality producers. The award for Best Emerging Irish Cuisine in Ulster was Clenaghan’s Restaurant in Armagh. The judges were looking for a genuine commitment to actively influencing the future of Irish cuisine by encouraging us to try something new.

Well done to all of you!

Food NI members certainly made their mark at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards Ceremony in Dublin on September 13th , 2022.

The awards celebrate Irish retailers, producers and manufacturers. Deli Lites from Warrenpoint, Co. Down won Product of the Year 2022 for their Beets and Spirulina Crunch Pot. It also won Gold in the Vegetarian/Vegan Category. They do a wide range of food to go for retail. Noisy Snacks won a bronze award for their Noisy Coated Chip Shop Curry Chickpeas.

There was Gold for Alistair Bell’s Irish Black Butter in Chutneys and Relishes. It is made from Armagh Bramley apples. There was a Rising Star Award for Richard Gilpin, Head of Farm Operations of Gilfresh Produce.
Gilfresh also won Bronze for their Vegetable Fajita Kit. They grow, pack, process and distribute vegetables.

McCrackens Brewery from Portadown won Drinks Product of the Year with their Brewery Black Irish Stout. Their range now includes 7 craft beers. Milgro Onions took Gold in Food to Go for their Flame Grilled Steak Flavour Crispy Onions. Based in Limavady, they are the largest grower, packer and processer of onions for leading retailers. There was a Marketing Prize for Moocha Kombucha from Dungannon. They won a campaign worth 10,000 euro from Urban Brand Creative.

Well done to all!