A popular pairing since the 1600s, gin and gingerbread will come to life in the iconic, lifesize Gingerbread House at Titanic Hotel Belfast this month. A new combination for the multi award winning hotel and restaurant, three gins will be served at an exclusive tasting event, beginning with a mulled gin on arrival. The tasting event can be coupled with a three course dinner after, ingredients of which will follow the gin and gingerbread theme.

Executive Chef at Titanic Hotel Belfast, Nigel Mannion, said: “Our Gingerbread House has become a fabulous feature in our award winning Wolff Grill restaurant and so we decided to create a gin and gingerbread tasting opportunity to showcase pairings which have been popular for hundreds of years, against the backdrop of our Gingerbread House.

“The gin and gingerbread event will also offer guests the chance to experience a three course gin and gingerbread inspired meal, comprising of cured trout, duck breast and parfait to complement the theme perfectly. We have collaborated with United Wines to ensure that the vision for the mouth-watering tasting will be unique and exquisite. Their gin specialist will deliver a presentation delving into the 17^th century history of gin and gingerbread in the most appropriate of settings.”

Adrian McNally, General Manager of Titanic Hotel Belfast, said: “At Titanic Hotel Belfast we are always seeking to create new and exciting experiences for our guests. We believe that this event kicking off 2023 is unique in every way as it gives guests an opportunity to visit the only life-size Gingerbread House in a hotel in Northern Ireland while sampling some of the most wonderful tasting gins.”

The Gin and Gingerbread Experience at Titanic Hotel Belfast takes place on 12 and 13 January 2023 from 6.00pm until 7.30pm and is priced at £15.00 per person. The three course evening meal is priced at £35.00 per person and pre-booking is advised. To book a place at the Gin and Gingerbread House Experience in Titanic Hotel Belfast or to enquire about the three course dinner menu, please email: restaurantmgr@titanichotelbelfast.com

The winners of the 2022 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards have been announced with a top accolade for Niall McKenna of James Street South group. He was awarded the Movers and Shakers Award.

In her citation, Georgina Campbell said “That Belfast chef and restaurateur Niall McKenna is a man on a mission is no secret. He has a culinary vision for Belfast that may well date back two decades, to when he and his wife
Joanne opened the acclaimed fine dining venue James Street South and the adjacent Bar & Grill – all now reimagined as James St.

“Their excellent Hadskis on Commercial Court closed this year but, far from being the negative move that might be expected in these daunting times, it was all part of the grand plan – to create a major hospitality hub in the city’s Cathedral Quarter. The whole Hadskis team moved over to open a new restaurant at Waterman House, a Grade B listed Bushmills bonded warehouse that is also home to the former James St Cookery School – and Waterman Restaurant soon became one of Belfast’s hottest dining destinations. So now the cookery school and the restaurant are in place, along with conference and event spaces. There’s plenty going on to appeal to different ages and interests, so the buzz is growing. It’s big city but one man’s vision is near to becoming reality, and it’s all the better for that.”

Celebrating 24 years in their current incarnation, the Georgina Campbell Awards recognise and honour Ireland’s standard-bearers in food and hospitality with particular focus, this year, on those who have maintained standards across the board in the face of post- pandemic energy and staffing crises, among many other challenges – and the brave newcomers who, against the odds, continue to delight with inspiring new businesses. Georgina Campbell’s Ireland’s rigorous programme of anonymous assessment visits is a year-round process and winners are nominated solely by an independent assessment team.

The new head of Lough Erne Resort’s award-winning culinary team has promised to continue and develop the legacy of highly respected Culinary Director, Noel McMeel who has formally announced his intention to step down after 15 years at the luxury Resort.

Executive Head Chef, Stephen Holland who has been an integral part of the exceptional culinary team at Lough Erne Resort for more than 12 years, says 2023 will herald an exciting new era as he formally takes up the reins. “We are so fortunate to have built an incredibly talented team of chefs at Lough Erne Resort over the last 12 years or so, under Noel’s leadership. We plan to harness that talent and continue our successful philosophy of sourcing, preparing, and serving fresh food in season as we embark into 2023.

Stephen Holland started his impressive culinary journey as ambitious 13-year-old who secured his first paid job as a porter in a local hotel in Dungannon. As he explains it was there, that he got taste for life as a chef. “I have very fond memories of my time there and the learning was second to none. In fact, I still use and practice many of the skills I learnt there today. Whilst studying at college I also worked at the luxurious Castle Leslie Estate under the leadership of Noel McMeel which is where I first met someone who has become a massive figure within the Irish food scene.”

Following his studies Stephen spent some time in an events’ company before setting off to travel the world where he cooked in some of the best establishments in USA, Australia, Dubai, and New Zealand. “These were crucial years for me as I was able to experience diverse cultures and benefit from learning under some of the most creative and talented chefs in the world. As I look back, this period really shaped my life and prepared me for my current role as Executive Head Chef in one of Ireland’s top food destinations. To this day I find my travels provide great inspiration for my dishes.”

During his 12-plus years at Lough Erne Resort Stephen has cooked for world leaders including US President, Barak Obama and British Prime Minister, David Cameron – but he counts meeting his wife, Rachael – a colleague at the Resort – as amongst his greatest achievements. Meanwhile, Noel McMeel, who advised senior executives at the Resort some time ago that he wished to explore other professional opportunities and begin a new chapter in his life, says he has no doubt the Resort’s treasured culinary offering is in safe hands.

Congratulations to Taste of Ulster member, Killeavy Castle Estate in Armagh on the awarding of not one, but TWO AA Rosettes for its restaurant.

Following a secret inspection, the venue has just been named an AA four-star hotel in recognition of the quality of the food and drink offering. The awards are for Culinary Excellence. These awards are the most recent in a string of plaudits including being named Hotel of the Year at the Licensed and Catering News Awards and Best Food and Drink Experience (Large) at the NI Embrace a Giant Spirit Awards. The owner of the Estate, Mick Boyle also received a Local Spirit Awards in recognition of the contribution he has made to tourism and the community in recent years.

Killeavy Castle Estate opened after a major refurbishment in 2018. The Head Chef is Darragh Dooley.

Dinner with Felicity Cloake, food writer and author

Created, prepared and presented by the Culinary Arts Management & International Hospitality Management students

Felicity Cloake is the award-winning author of the Guardian’s long-running How to Make the Perfect recipe column as well as five cookbooks, including the Andre Simon shortlisted The A-Z of Eating, and two on food and travel.

Her French culinary adventure on two wheels, One More Croissant for the Road, was a Sunday Times bestseller, a Radio Four Book of the Week and shortlisted for the Fortnum and Mason food book of the year award, and her latest, Red Sauce Brown Sauce: A British Breakfast Odyssey was published in June.

The event is set to take place on 29th November, 7:00PM, at the Academy Restaurant and will include the following set menu:

• Devilled eggs

• Langoustine and prawn cocktail, buttermilk wheaten bread
  Or
  Leek and potato soup

• Coq au Riesling, braised red cabbage, fondant potatoes
  Or
  Nut roast, braised red cabbage, fondant potatoes

• Treacle tart, custard, cream

• Tea or coffee
  Macarons, chocolates

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.academyrestaurant.co.uk/events/felicity-cloake-culinary-salon2

Chinese New Year Celebration with Chef Suzie Lee | 21st January 1.30pm | £75pp

Join Waterman House for a Chinese New Year celebration with chef Suzie Lee. During a cookery demonstration, Suzie will showcase exciting dishes from her latest book “Simply Chinese”.

Lunch will include tasting plates of…Chicken (or tofu) and sweetcorn soup – Beef and black pepper with basmati rice – Mango pudding

About Suzie Lee
Suzie Lee is a Northern Irish television chef and food writer who appears regularly on This Morning, BBC and RTE. Suzie Lee also loves to share her passion for food with her followers through her blog and social media channels. Cooking since she was a child, Suzie Lee helped out in her family’s Chinese takeaway. Now a seasoned chef is also a proud author of her new cook book ‘Simply Chinese’.

About Waterman House
Belfast’s newest cookery school and event space from chef Niall McKenna and his team. Waterman House is set in the heart of Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter and is the perfect location for your next corporate event, celebration, or private party.

As well as a unique private hire venue we also have a cookery school, which is a great place to come and participate in one of the interactive cookery classes which range from the day-to-day cooking of one-pot wonders to firm favourites of Curry from around the world to fun classes such as Sushi and Cocktails. 

Snap up a ticket now to avoid disappointment! https://www.waterman.house/