Gilfresh Produce, leading vegetable growers and producers based in Co. Armagh are delighted to have extended their portfolio of prepared vegetable products through the launch of their brand new ‘Fresh Value’ range which is available now in Aldi Ireland stores.

The first line in the new ‘Fresh Value’ range to launch in Aldi Ireland is the Rainbow Vegetable Stir Fry – a colourful mix of carrot, cabbage, onion, leek, peppers and sweetcorn, which is all prepared and ready to be cooked to make a tasty, healthy stir-fry dinner, in less than 6 minutes.

The ‘Fresh Value’ range was developed as Gilfresh Produce was keen to respond to the current cost of living crisis which is presenting ongoing challenges for consumers. As household budgets continue to be squeezed, the Gilfresh ‘Fresh Value’ Range offers consumers fresh produce mealtime solutions that deliver on quality as well as on value, something which is so important in today’s market.

The launch of the new ‘Fresh Value’ range into Aldi Ireland is in addition to the existing Gilfresh Produce Prepared Vegetable Range already stocked by the retailer, which includes lines such as the Gilfresh Produce Cut Soup Vegetables, Shredded Green Cabbage and their Carrot, Cauliflower and Broccoli Mix.

Matthew Johnston, Account Executive with Gilfresh Produce commented, “Gilfresh Produce is delighted to launch our new ‘Fresh Value’ range in Aldi Ireland stores. The addition of the ‘Fresh Value’ range to our portfolio of products comes at the ideal time for consumers who are feeling their budgets being squeezed due to the rising cost of living. Our new ‘Fresh Value Rainbow Vegetable Stir-Fry’ offers consumers an affordable option to ensure they are still enjoying healthy, quality, fresh local produce.”

Look out for the Gilfresh Fresh Value Rainbow Vegetable Stir-Fry available in Aldi Stores across Ireland now.

For more information on Gilfresh Produce please visit www.gilfreshproduce.com.

The ceremony took place in Dublin on Tuesday 7th March, 2023 marking 30 years of the Awards.

Food NI members Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-Operative and Ballylisk of Armagh are two of out just eight winners across the island of Ireland at the 2023 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards. The Food Awards were for Smoked Lough Neagh Eel and the Ballylisk of Armagh range. The awards, in their 30th year, took place at Suesey Street restaurant in Dublin.
 
The citation for the Smoked Lough Neagh Eel stated that “a Lough Neagh eel is a curious thing. “Born in the Sargasso Sea, the young elvers gradually make their way across the wild Atlantic to mature in the largest freshwater lake on the island of Ireland. It’s a unique habitat and one which ensures that Lough Neagh eels are renowned for their flavour and texture.

In 1965, Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-Operative was set up to safeguard the
traditional methods of catching eels. In 2011, Lough Neagh eel joined an illustrious line-up of foods such as Champagne, Gorgonzola and Parma ham when it was awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status by the EU. In line with careful conservation guidelines, the Co-Operative now catches and processes around 220 tonnes of Lough Neagh Eel annually. A select few are smoked and it is this smoked Lough Neagh eel that wins a 2023 IFWG Food Award.
 
The citation for Ballylisk of Armagh cheese described Ballylisk’s range as “a real taste of Armagh”. “Mark Wright, one of the fifth generation of the Wright family, who grew up on the family farm at Ballylisk, Co Armagh, makes Ballylisk’s Triple Rose. This white mould ripened, single-herd, triple cream cheese was Armagh’s first farm-produced cheese. Since developing and launching the flagship Triple Rose, Ballylisk has gone on to make two more gorgeous cheeses. There is also a range of accompaniments, notably a balsamic Bramley apple chutney, to complement the cheeses.
 
Speaking about this year’s awards, Caroline Hennessy, chair of the IFWG said: “Since the Food Award’s inception, each winner has been chosen independently and anonymously by IFWG members, recognising the best in Irish food by shining a light on smaller producers who might otherwise slip under the radar. From traditional products of the highest quality to new innovations, this year’s winners exemplify what is so exciting about Ireland’s food and drink industry right now.”

We would like to offer you the opportunity to apply to take a pitch as a food or drink producer, to sell your products at the event this year. There is also the opportunity to sell food to go at the event, including tea and coffee offerings and dessert offerings.

Food stall holders should be producers of local produce. As we anticipate a high volume of applications, please provide as much evidence of using local ingredients in your products as possible.

Please return the below form, completed, to Christine christine@nigoodfood.com by Friday 31st March 2023. Booking forms will be sent out in February. If you have any queries about this please call Christine on 07735209299.

Taste of Ulster member Waterman House in Belfast is the only restaurant in Northern Ireland to be picked as a February Favourite New Restaurant in the Michelin Guide.

Chosen by the inspectors, it is described as “big, bold and buzzy”. Michelin publishes monthly favourites in the UK and Ireland. They are published on the website and the free Michelin app. The Cathedral Quarter establishment is part of the James Street Group owned by Niall and Joanne McKenna.

The 2023 Great Britain and Ireland Stars, Bib Gourmands and Green Stars will be unveiled at a ceremony at Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK on Monday, March 27th.

The new Northern Ireland All-Party Parliamentary Group kicked off its programme of events for 2023 with ‘A Taste of Northern Ireland’ yesterday in the Jubilee Room of the Houses of Parliament. 

The event was a resounding success and welcomed hundreds of people, including MPs, Peers and guests from all political affiliations and those with none, through the doors to the showcase of some of Northern Ireland’s finest small food and drink producers. 

This was a true display of cross-Party and cross-community support for the food and drink manufacturers across the six counties of Northern Ireland. The event had MP representatives from all main parties at the event, including DUP, SDLP, Alliance Party, Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrat and SNP as well as Crossbench and Independent Peers in attendance. 

Ian Paisley MP, Chairman of the Northern Ireland APPG said:  “I would like to say a big thank you to all of the small independent businesses who flew over from Northern Ireland and supported our event, including Craic Foods, Burren Balsamics, The Chocolate Manor, Crawfords Rock Seaweed Company, Irish Black Butter, Blackfire Food Belfast, Finnebrogue, Food NI, Hinch Distillery and Ballylisk Cheese. 

In Northern Ireland we only have a population of 2 million but produce enough for 70 million people, we have some of the best food and drink producers in the United Kingdom and we want to continue sending those products to Great Britain as well as exporting them further afield.”

The Rt. Hon. Steve Baker MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland, attended in the event and in his speech said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who has come to this event today, the vendors, the businesses which have sent over their products, the people who have come out to see this incredible display of Northern Ireland produced food and drink. 

“It was a true honour to meet some of the people and small artisan businesses, and taste their produce, who are the real backbone of the Northern Irish economy. 

“Our goal is stability for businesses in Northern Ireland and let me assure you, we are all working towards that.” 

Christine Cousins, Events Manager at Food NI, said: “We were delighted to be a part of this showcase, the work being done by the Northern Ireland APPG is sincerely appreciated by all food and drink manufacturers in Northern Ireland.

“It is important that we get to showcase our top class produce here in Great Britain and enhance the visibility of our already highly sought after food and drink products, made in Northern Ireland.

“We were delighted to exhibit a wide range of products including Copeland Rum, Long Meadow cider and apple juice, Olive Tree Bakery wheaten bread, Milgro crispy onions, Whitewater brewery IPA, Kenako biltong, Granny Shaw’s fudge and tablet, Abernethy Butter and Hinch Distillery whiskey.”

Mark Logan MP, Vice Chairman of the Northern Ireland APPG and Conservative MP for Bolton North East said: “This afternoon I am resigning myself to some good scran, some of it I hope will be like what my Granny used to cook, I am resigning myself to thinking what supermarket shelves, restaurant tables and fridges all around the UK filled with stuff which Northern Ireland has to offer and what is on show today.” 

Alliance Party MP for North Down, Stephen Farry MP said:  “I would like to thank everyone for coming along and supporting this event today, especially those who have travelled all the way from Northern Ireland. 

“It is a wonderful time and indeed place to showcase the wonderful food and drink we have in Northern Ireland. We are world leaders in many ways and areas, especially when it comes to innovation.

“We are incredibly proud of the small artisan companies which we have, some of whom were there yesterday afternoon with us. There are more and more of these wonderful businesses springing up almost everyday across our six counties and that is something we can all be proud of.” 

A conference looking at the region’s potential to drive food tourism and maximise its economic benefits is being held in Belfast next month.

Belfast City Council is organising the ‘Focus on Food’ conference at the ICC on 28 March, in partnership with Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) and Tourism NI.

It will bring together industry experts including food producers, restaurateurs, chefs and food educators to celebrate the economic contribution and creativity of the sector, as well as setting goals for Belfast and Northern Ireland to achieve further success as a culinary destination of choice.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tina Black said: “You just have to visit our award-winning St George’s Market on any given weekend to see the abundance of local food producers and outstanding homegrown products we have here on our doorstep. Belfast also boasts an amazing choice of local, independent restaurants.

“There is a huge opportunity to build on our food tourism potential and our tourism strategy for the city identifies the importance of making this one of Belfast’s key selling points. Celebrating the food we are known for and creating a unique offering means we can transform how we position Belfast on a global stage, where so many cities are competing to attract visitors; we want to become a destination of choice for foodies and make our name as a city famous for what’s on the menu.

“Getting everyone together at this major event is the start of that process as we look at how we can support our hospitality and local food businesses to achieve our tourism ambitions and the benefits that will have for not just Belfast, but the entire region.”

Belfast City Council is leading on an action plan around food tourism which includes setting up a new food and drink network and steering group. It’s hoped that by setting ambitious but achievable goals, Belfast can establish itself as a leading food and drink destination and eventually achieve international status.

The conference will bring together a stellar line up of guest speakers including restaurant critic Grace Dent, Chris McClurg (chef patron at Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 and Great British Menu winner), Anna Pollock (strategist on regenerative hospitality and tourism), Gemma Austin (chef patron at A Peculiar Tea and Great British Menu finalist), Skye Gyngell (chef patron at Spring and Heckfield Place), Giles Gibbons (co-founder of Sustainable Restaurant Association) and Conor Spacey (founder of Food Space, Dublin).

Albert Johnston, Head of DAERA’s Agri-Food & Corporate Support Branch, said: “DAERA is delighted to support Belfast City Council’s Focus on Food Conference 2023, as it is a key engagement platform for all involved in our food supply chain to showcase the strength of our local agri-food industry and to bring together the agri-food and hospitality sectors.

“Northern Ireland has a wealth of high quality, safe and wholesome foods available to the processing, food service and retail sectors and we continue to encourage processors and consumers to seek out local produce where possible.”

David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI added: “Food and drink tourism plays a central role to the visitor economy. In recent years, it has become a motivation for visitors who are spending more time and more money on opportunities to connect with local food and drink.

“Tourism NI is delighted to be supporting The Focus on Food Conference which provides delegates with an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of our sector whilst learning from others to strengthen our reputation as a world class food and drink destination. 

“The conference will stimulate opportunities for knowledge exchange where delegates can garner insights from panellists who are delivering exceptional food and drink experiences.  Tourism NI look forward to collaborating with those who have a shared interest in raising the quality of the experience that we offer to visitors.”

For more details of the conference including ticket info, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events