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.

There were several happy members of Taste of Ulster at the Ulster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on Tuesday 21st March, 2023.

Wine and Brine in Armagh got the county’s Best Chef (Chris McGowan), Best Restaurant and Best Wine Experience. Best Restaurant in Antrim went to OX, while Alain Kerloc’h from OX got Antrim’s Best Restaurant Manager award. Best Chef in Antrim was Gareth McCaughey, The Muddlers Club. Best Newcomer in Antrim was Roam while Edo took Best Casual Dining, Newforge House in Armagh won Best Customer Service and was also named the county’s Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant.

Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant awards went to the Galgorm in Antrim, The Salty Dog Hotel and Bistro in Down, and the Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne, Fermanagh. Clenaghans in Armagh won Best Emerging Irish Cuisine and The Cuan took home that award for Down.

Four members won in the Best Sustainable Practices category. They were the Academy Restaurant, Ulster University for Antrim; Killeavy Castle Estate in Armagh; the Manor House Country Hotel in Fermanagh and Corick House Hotel and Spa in Tyrone.

The Smugglers Table in Down won Best Free From for that county, whilst The Tailor’s House took it home for Tyrone. Also in Down, Brunels won Best Customer Service. All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday 15th May in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4.

The girls did Northern Ireland proud on this year’s Great British Menu on BBC Two. Well done to Kerry Roper and Gemma Austin on getting through to the final stages. It was neck and neck, with scores tied, but Andi Oliver had the final say and sent Gemma Austin from Taste of Ulster member A Peculiar Tea through to the finals.

Chef Patron Gemma’s menu included a mushroom-based forest trail and a BFG-inspired dessert. One of the judges was Northern-Ireland based author and illustrator, Oliver Jeffers. During finals week, eight regional finalists will compete against each other, four of whom will cook a dish at the banquet. An additional runner up will serve their appetisers and pre desserts.

This year’s competition is inspired by 65 years of Paddington and celebrates animation and illustration. The banquet will be held at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion which inspired Raymond Briggs’ book The Snowman.
Fingers crossed that Gemma is there!

Slemish Market Supper Club are delighted to be celebrating St.Patricks Day in Vitoria Gasteiz Basque Region Spain this Friday 17th March!

Chef Rob Curley  from Slemish Market Supper Club will be doing a collaboration with SUA Basque Fusion in Kora Green City Hotels Txocko (Chocko) a Basque Gastronomic society. Rob and his team will cook a fun menu using the best of our regions produce!

See more about Slemish Market Supper Club here: https://www.slemishmarketsupperclub.com/home