Thirty years ago this month, the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) unveiled one of the world’s first farm quality assurance schemes. The launch of the Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIBL FQAS) would transform the industry and ensure that Northern Ireland beef and lamb was recognised on a global platform.

Commenting on the anniversary of the launch of FQAS, LMC chief executive Ian Stevenson said, “Northern Ireland was one the first regions in the world with the vision and foresight of the need for an all-encompassing farm quality assurance scheme. We were the first of the four UK nations to develop a quality assurance scheme that made a real difference for farmers and the other stakeholder groups within the red meat sector.

“Initially the scheme was envisaged to meet the export needs of our beef and lamb sectors. It was developed to give consumer assurances about the farm end of the production chain with three key pillars: food safety, animal welfare and care for the environment. The FQAS has fundamentally succeeded in giving consumers total confidence in the quality, traceability and heritage of the beef and lamb in Northern Ireland.

“Over 30 years on from its initial development the scheme continues to grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the agri-food industry. Eighty per cent of the beef and lamb produced in Northern Ireland is exported. Ensuring that we get the best possible return from these exports is critically important. Our prestigious farm quality assurance scheme is a key driver in ensuring unfettered market access and we are confident that it will continue to play a leading role in securing new export markets.”

Despite the current challenges associated with high input costs, looking to the future Ian remarked that opportunities lie ahead for the industry as work continues to promote and grow the footprint on NIFQA produce. One element of this is the case being made for Northern Ireland’s inclusion in the PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef, which Ian notes would open a range of new and important export opportunities for the local beef sector. Yet, regardless of the outcome of this bid Ian is confident that FQAS will remain a key pillar for sustained development of the local beef and lamb sectors for years to come.

He added: “Since its inception thirty years ago the scheme has delivered real quantifiable benefits to the beef and sheep sectors in Northern Ireland. LMC has been delighted to operate and manage the FQAS on behalf of the industry for the past 30 years and looks forward to continuing to do so in the years ahead.”

Photo caption – LMC Chief Executive, Ian Stevenson

Bushmills Irish Whiskey – from the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery in county Antrim –  is now the Official Whiskey of the Peaky Blinders TV Show in the US, and preferred sipper of the notorious “Shelby Family”.

The partnership with Endemol Shine North America (a Banijay company), and Peaky Blinders’ official brand owner and series producer, Caryn Mandabach Productions, was launched ahead of St. Patrick’s Day with an exciting offer for fans to imbibe like the Shelby’s and will extend through 2022.

The Shelby Family and Bushmills Irish Whiskey share stories of passion and perseverance in the face of adversity. Bushmills has never wavered from its commitment to crafting great whiskey with a recipe passed down through generations of skilled and devoted whiskey-makers. Made on the wild edges of the north coast of Ireland, Bushmills has stood the test of time for over 400 years, having overcome conflict, fire and famine. 

“The motivations of the Shelby’s are those of family, loyalty and perseverance, which are the same qualities that have put Bushmills at the forefront of whiskey making for hundreds of years,” said Lander Otegui, senior vice president of marketing at Proximo Spirits. “Over the course of our partnership, we are excited to connect with a new, dynamic generation of whiskey drinkers through collaborative content and experiences that speak to the history and heart of our brand.”

To kick off the partnership, Bushmills Irish Whiskey and the Peaky Blinders TV show created a Shelby Sour from their local bar. The cocktail recipe, inspired by Tommy Shelby, features sweet and fruity flavours, balanced by the smooth, warm finish of Bushmills Original Whiskey.

“What better way to welcome Bushmills as the Official Whiskey of the Peaky Blinders TV series than with a free whiskey cocktail for our loyal fans,” said Scott Shillet, vice president of licensing at Endemol Shine North America.

Throughout the year, Bushmills and Endemol Shine North America (a Banijay company), in collaboration with Peaky Blinders‘ official brand owner and series producer, Caryn Mandabach Productions, will connect with US consumers through an exciting, full-scale promotion featuring co-branded content, a national advertising campaign and live experiential moments.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey is crafted with care and passion at the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery, The Old Bushmills Distillery, Bushmills, county Antrim has more than 400 years of whiskey-making heritage, which has been passed down through generations.

The brand’s award-winning triple distilled single malt whiskeys are renowned for their signature smooth taste and famous house style: Bushmills Original, Bushmills Red Bush, Bushmills Black Bush, Bushmills10 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills12 Year Old Single Malt, Bushmills 16 Year Old Single Malt, and Bushmills 21 Year Old Single Malt.

The multi-award-winning gangster epic Peaky Blinders was created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke). Sold to more than 180 countries, the series is widely available internationally on Netflix. The series is owned and produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions and co-produced with Banijay’s Tiger Aspect Productions.  Banijay represent a range of global ancillary rights for the Peaky Blinders brand. Peaky Blinders is distributed by Banijay Rights.

Endemol Shine North America delivers world-class content and compelling storytelling to multiple platforms in the US and across the globe. 

A division of Banijay, the world’s largest international content producer and distributor, subsidiary production companies in the US include Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Bunim/Murray Productions, Stephen David Entertainment and Yellow Bird US Its Endemol Shine Latino division oversees all original Spanish and Portuguese-language operations across Latin America, including Endemol Shine Brasil, Mexico City-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico and US Hispanic.

Caryn Mandabach Productions is an independent television production company which produces and owns the BAFTA winning drama Peaky Blinders.  In addition to the critically acclaimed series, the company’s oversight includes all development and licensing of the eponymous Peaky Blinders brand.  Founded by Emmy-winning US producer, Caryn Mandabach, whose prolific career includes the creation of iconic titles such as Roseanne, Third Rock from the Sun, That 70s Show and Nurse Jackie, the company continues to distinguish itself through the development and production of ground-breaking, culturally relevant content that is consistently part of pop culture vernacular.

The Oxford Cultural Collective is working in partnership with Ulster University to stage Gastronomy Summit 2022, a landmark event to be held in Belfast on 11th to 13th April 2022, which will bring together members of the global culinary community to explore the development of food and drink destinations in ways that benefit local communities.

Book you place at Gastronomy Summit 2022.

Keynote session: Dan Saladino – 1.45pm to 2.45pm – Tuesday 12th April 2022

Dan Saladino, food journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme, recently published his first book, Eating to Extinction, to great acclaim.  It takes readers on an epic journey through the history, culture and future of food.

In conversation with Donald Sloan, Dan will the explore the world’s most endangered food cultures, and propose what we must do to protect the diverse communities they represent.   

Dan honed his journalistic skills on Radio 4’s investigative series Face the Facts before specialising in food and farming stories more than a decade ago. Dan is listed in the Progress 1000: The Evening Standard’s Most Influential People in Food and Drink, The Telegraph’s Food Power List and he is the recipient of a James Beard Awards (America’s most high-profile award for food journalism). He has won multiple awards for his radio work, including for his efforts to document the loss of biodiversity around the world.  In this regard, his extensive travels through Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, recording the world’s most endangered foods and the disappearance of traditional and indigenous food cultures, formed the basis for his recent book. In 2019 Dan won the Jane Grigson Trust Award for New Food Writers, prior to the publication of Eating to Extinction.

The owners of The Plough, in Royal Hillsborough, have launched of the new ‘Royal Hillsborough Pale Ale’.  It is available on tap now and is a unique signature blend.

Teaming up with McCrackens Brewery, the new ale is a nod of celebration to the village being awarded ‘Royal’ status by the Queen and an affectionate look back at The Plough’s history. The Plough in the mid nineteenth century supplied local beers and ales to the Marquess’s of Downshire for their grand banquets which took place in Hillsborough Fort just behind the venue.

Produced using a unique blend of Irish malts and hops and golden in colour, Royal Hillsborough Pale Ale, has a light bitterness, a spice with an earthy/sweet edge, plus a beautiful crisp finish.

Speaking about its launch, Chair of Development Committee, Alderman Amanda Grehan, said: “What a brilliant idea. I am thrilled to celebrate the launch of the new Royal Hillsborough Pale Ale. It is great to see such innovation and collaboration to bring something new to market. Plus, the confidence to invest in the business and new product development. This new ale is a welcomed addition and one that will tantalise locals and visitors alike.”

Speaking on the new ale, William Patterson, co-owner of The Plough enthuses: “Hillsborough achieving Royal status last year was hugely significant and we felt it presented us with an opportunity to create a new ale that marked this new chapter. We have worked with Ryan and his team since 2018, so partnering with him on this project made sense.  Micro brewing in Northern Ireland is a growing market and customers today are willing and enthusiastic to try new products especially if it’s from a local source.

“We tried several samples of Ryan’s ales and we agreed to have an easy drinking light refreshing pale ale, not too strong in alcohol (4%) that would appeal to both male and female customers. It also needed to complement the great food we serve in The Plough and The Pheasant.”

Ryan McCracken, owner of McCrackens Brewery, adds: “William was one of our first clients when we started McCrackens Brewery back in 2018. He and his team have been great to work with over the last four years and our beers have always gone down very well with their customers. We were delighted when William approached us with his fantastic idea. After some product development and plenty of taste testing with William and his team, Royal Hillsborough Pale Ale was born. At McCrackens we believe in using natural fresh ingredients. We source many of the ingredients locally to maintain the highest quality standards and ensure we contribute to our local economy.”

William adds: “With Northern Ireland starting to open up again after a horrendous two years of COVID restrictions on the hospitality sector, it seems a perfect time to launch this new Royal Hillsborough Pale Ale. Tourists & visitors are starting to come back into the village, so it’s the perfect time to promote something local and it would be a welcome addition to the list of great attractions Royal Hillsborough has to offer.” 

The Royal Hillsborough Pale Ale is available on draught in The Plough and also at The Pheasant, Annahilt. Both The Plough and The Pheasant are part of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s latest tourism programme, entitled ‘Royal Hillsborough and Historic Moira’.

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Launching the new Hillsborough Pale Ale at The Plough are, left, Ryan McCracken, McCrackens Ale, Keith Johnston, Bar Manager, The Plough, Alderman Amanda Grehan, chairman, Development Committee, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, and William Patterson, co-owner of The Plough

Gastronomy Summit 2022, a landmark event to be held in Belfast on 11th to 13th April 2022, will bring together members of the global culinary community to explore the development of food and drink destinations in ways that benefit local communities.

The Gastronomy Summit 2022 Gala Dinner, at Belfast City Hall on 13^th April, will showcase and celebrate the produce and talent that defines Northern Ireland as a leading food and drink destination.

Guests will enjoy dishes prepared by three of Northern Ireland’s most admired chefs: Noel McMeel, Culinary Director of Lough Erne Resort; Gemma Austin, Chef Proprietor of A Peculiar Tea; and Brian McCann, who recently joined Lottie.

Please join us for the Gastronomy Summit 2022 Gala Dinner – book here – £99 per guest. 

Follow link to booking site and choose ‘conference dinner’.

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