Killowen Distillery in Northern Ireland has launched its small batch Irish whiskeys online in the US.

Based near Rostrevor in the iconic Mourne Mountains, Killowen’s small batch Irish whiskeys, all cask strength, are now being imported to the US by High Road Spirits of Chicago, a leading importer of quality international spirits to many states, and online via California’s Folsom Wines and Spirits.

Whiskeys being made available in the US include the small distillery’s 5-year-old- single malt rum and raisin, a small-batch core, and other products from its acclaimed Bonded Experimental Series, some of the most exciting limited edition blends being distilled in Ireland.

Brendan Carty, founder and managing director of Killowen Distillery, says the products for the US are unique in that each distilling is always likely to be different. “In the true sense of Killowen, absolute consistency is never our aim, thankfully any future rum and raisin single malt batches will be slightly different. It’s always fun to revisit and see if we can improve upon perfection,” he adds.

Killowen, which has also produced successful gins and a dark rum, will be releasing a small-batch flame-fed poitín, described as “the mother of all whiskeys” in the US. “Poitín, has survived centuries of oppression from colonialism and later powerful whiskey lobbies at home. Poitín’s day will come, but until then, it is enjoying a huge upsurge in popularity throughout Ireland and internationally among those in the know,” he adds.

“At its best, poitín is made in small batches, using flame-fed distillation, worm tub condensation and creative mash bills,’ he continues.  Killowen has already dubbed 2022 as ‘The Year of the Poitín’.

Killowen Distillery was established by Mr Carty in 2016 and has launched whiskeys, gins, dark rum and poitín that have attracted international attention for quality, innovation and taste. The distillery has also developed a range of hard seltzer flavoured drinks.

A novel range of fresh Jamaican patties has been developed and launched by Carolyn Stewart, a successful producer of award-winning Caribbean sauces, pickles and marinades under her Totally Hot NI artisan business.

The new hot and tasty snacks are made from flaky pastry filled with hot spicy mince steak, chicken or vegetables to produce delicious hand-held food using spices from the Caribbean.

The new patties are based on Carolyn’s own and unique recipes from her experience holidaying in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean over many years.

Carolyn, a well-known radio broadcaster in Northern Ireland, developed the hot snacks in her mission to bring the rich and spicy flavours of the Caribbean islands to food lovers in Northern Ireland to add to their own meals.

The new patties represent a significant diversification for the small and highly innovative business which is based near Holywood in county Down. She creates the recipes for all her original products in her home kitchen and manufacturing by another local business.

The creative entrepreneur’s artisan small business has won major UK and Irish food awards, including Great Taste and Blas na hEireann endorsements, for her tasty sauces which were rebranded attractively last year.  

The delicious patties join an impressive portfolio of six original spicy sauces, pickles and seasonings, all of which are available from the company’s on-line shop.

A keen gardener and adventurous cook, Carolyn has carried her passion for bold, rich and colourful flavours into new products which were developed during the covid-19 lockdowns.

Carolyn launched her artisan business venture in 2016 to test the market for Caribbean flavours and found encouraging demand from food lovers in Northern Ireland. The products are marketed by Carolyn and are now readily available in delis, farm shops and independent grocers across Northern Ireland.

Top poultry Moy Park is Northern Ireland’s top manufacturer, according to a survey just published which highlights the importance of food and drink to the local economy.

The Co Armagh-based manufacturer of chicken products is at the top of InsiderNorthern Ireland Manufacturing 100 list for 2022 – the annual list of the top performing manufacturing and engineering businesses based in Northern Ireland by turnover. The Northern Ireland Manufacturing 100 is sponsored by Deloitte, HSBC UK and MSC Group.

The top three businesses in 2022 list are poultry producer Moy Park (1), animal feed supplier W & R Barnett (2) and pharmaceutical developer and manufacturer Almac (3).

The highest climber in the list is dough-based product manufacturer Crust and Crumb from Derrylin in county Fermanagh (up from 97 last year to 62). The study says this company’s sharp rise in turnover “might not be so surprising given the general upsurge in demand for pizzas during the various national lockdowns”. Family-owned Crust and Crumb bakery specialises in dough-based foods such as pizzas for major supermarkets in the UK and Ireland including Aldi.

The top 10 companies also includes feed and grain processor W&R Barnett in Belfast (2); distributor SHS Group, Belfast (5); Dale Farm (6), the region’s biggest dairy processor; and Foyle Food Group, Derry (9), a major meat producer.

Other food and drink processors on the list include meat processor Linden Foods (15) Dungannon; Leckpatrick Dairies, Coleraine (18), a producer of milk and other dairy products; Lynn’s Country Foods, Downpatrick (26), owner of Finnebrogue Venison; and Cranswick Foods, Ballymena (27), a specialist in pork products.

Commenting on the Manufacturing 100, Philip Cunliffe, Insider’s regional business editor for Northern Ireland, said: “It’s always interesting to see how the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland has performed during the year. The pandemic has seen many of them grow significantly, although there have been some casualties too as market forces have taken their toll. But despite some worrying headwinds – supply chain delays, skills shortages and cost of material increases – overall the sector has performed extremely well over the year. The Manufacturing 100 list proves, once again, that Northern Ireland manufacturers punch well above their weight.”

Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, writing in a blog piece alongside the published list, commented on the success NI manufacturers are having with exports. He said: “Local businesses have sold more than €1,000m more to Ireland in 2021 which is 60 per cent more than in 2020 whilst GB’s exports to the EU are minus 16 per cent.”

But he went on to add that, although things appear to be running smoothly across the Irish Sea Border, there are potential difficulties ahead.  He explained: “The costs and disruption in moving goods from Britain are real and, in many cases, unnecessary. They need to be fixed before the grace periods on foods, medicines and parcels come to an end.”

Aldi Ireland has announced a new £5 million deal with Armagh-based oats producer, White’s Oats, which will see the company supply oats to Aldi’s 149 Irish stores.

Already a longstanding supplier of Aldi, White’s has partnered with the supermarket for the past 12 years. A two-year contract extension will see a range of new products being developed for Aldi in the coming year.

The oats producer, which is based in Tandragee, near Portadown, also supplies Aldi UK and currently has a £4.3 million contract in place with its UK stores. White’s Oats is Ireland’s largest oat miller and breakfast-cereal producer, working with 100 Irish and 35 British farmers to make a variety of oats and porridge products. The company currently supplies Aldi under its Kavanagh’s brand.

Established in 1841 in Tandragee, Co. Armagh, White’s pioneered the first rolled packaged oat flake. The company’s traditional milling process includes kilning, steaming and rolling. Today, White’s employs 66 people and produces 1.4 million bowls of porridge daily from its oat mill in Tandragee.

Commenting on the new contract, Aldi group buying director, John Curtin, said:

“White’s Oats has been a long-term partner with Aldi for the last number of years, and we’re delighted to continue this strong relationship into the future. We’re excited to work on new product development with the team over the coming year, and to provide Aldi customers with even more delicious products.”

Welcoming the contract, commercial director of White’s Oats, Mark Gowdy, said:

“Aldi’s support over the past 12 years has allowed our business to expand and flourish and for that we are truly appreciative. This partnership has allowed us deliver award-winning and sustainable products that continue to experience strong growth.”

Award-winning cider producer Long Meadow will host a colourful Cirque du Cider as part of Armagh City’s brand new two-weekend mega-festival this March and April, a striking ‘fire and light’ celebration of the city’s rich history, heritage and culture.

Bringing together the region’s thriving arts and cultural scene to a variety of iconic spaces, venues and its famous apple orchards, the first-of-its-kind landmark Fusion Festival combines a myriad of unique collaborations, big name musical acts, art, craft, theatre, dance, poetry and more.

Arguably the oldest city in Ireland, for more than 6,000 millennia, this apple-laden home of St Patrick is famed for its Georgian façades, vibrant hospitality, quality food and drink and its artistic and cultural might.

Now, this UK City of Culture contender for 2025 is preparing to unleash its power with a unique festival spectacular that sets a new standard in events and entertainment.

Backed by over 30 performers, groups and venues, Armagh Fusion Festival promises cabaret-style circus performances and powerful artistic light installations, firing up the city as part of a stellar programme of outstanding events for two full weekends starting Thursday 24 March and running until Sunday 3 April.

Tuning up to take part is world acclaimed singer Ryan McMullan who with contemporary trad band Beoga and supported by local folk singer-songwriting sensation Dani Larkin will ‘reawaken’ your spring senses in a breath-taking performance at the Navan Centre against the stunning backdrop of the mystical Navan Fort.

The Greatest Show – Cirque du Cider – will land in the heart of Armagh’s uniquely beautiful apple orchards to deliver a series of captivating circus shows featuring aerial performances and jaw-dropping circus skills – the perfect accompaniment to the crisp taste of locally-produced cider, apple juice and award-winning local street food all available on site.

A special Ceilidh Fusion of music – and the chance to join in – will set your heart racing at the city’s famous Shambles Yard after you witness the extraordinary ‘Fire and Light’ show fused with art and music at the Astro Park at Armagh’s iconic Observatory and Planetarium.

Envelop yourself in ‘Art after Dark’ which showcases the city’s unique creativity at a variety of legendary venues or hear the infamous tales of Mhacha in Armagh’s Abbey Lane theatre.

In a festival event that’s full of surprises, you can always get on your feet this spring and get in on the all-new walking tours which combine Armagh’s fabled tales and local tunes, faces and places.

Few stones in this great city are left unturned in a festival which includes the stunning works of JB Vallely’s paintings – lit up on the historic Market Square and accompanied by the mesmerising sound of the Armagh Pipers Club and readings from acclaimed powers Kate Newmann and Noel Monahan.

Backed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Tourism Northern Ireland, the festival marks a new, unique and exciting local, national and international event highlight for 2022.

Designed and developed in conjunction with award-winning creative event specialists MayWe to capture the attention and imagination of audiences at home and abroad, the Armagh Fusion Festival will be among the largest and most important celebratory events held in Northern Ireland this year.

Armagh City and borough is currently bidding to become UK City of Culture 2025 after making it through to the final eight of potential contenders.

For almost two decades, Armagh City has hosted a series of annual award-wining events, including the Armagh Food & Cider, Home of St Patrick and Georgian festivals, winning national and international acclaim for their uniqueness and real sense of place.

Vegetable Advocate volunteers in Northern Ireland are calling on you to join them this month in a Love NI Veg 7-Day Meal Challenge.  Just ‘have a go’ and pledge to take the challenge to contribute to making a difference in your own life, as part of your local community and to the environment.

Portia Woods, Vegetable Advocate Support Officer NI expressed “I was delighted to meet with the Belfast Lord Mayor to discuss how the 7-Day Meal Challenge will help people look for, seek out and support the daily purchase of vegetables grown locally and in season in Northern Ireland.  Increasing veg consumption is the overall aim, but it is more than that.  It is about realising the high quality and availability of local vegetables, the value for money, the health benefits and the variety of meals that can be enjoyed.  We discussed how easy and how difficult it might be, the fun that families can have, and how some surprises might be found such as locally grown pak choi.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl, said: “The Love NI Veg 7-Day Meal Challenge is a fantastic initiative from the Belfast Food Network and I’m looking forward to taking part. We have such wonderful produce right here on our doorsteps in Northern Ireland and supporting local producers and traders not only helps to boost the local economy, but also contributes more widely to helping the environment.

“During my term in office, I want to encourage residents across Belfast to do #OneWeeThing to combat climate change. Eating locally-grown vegetables is a great way to do your own one wee thing; it’s healthy, it’s delicious and eating locally grown veg doesn’t carry the same environmental impact as vegetables imported from other parts of the world. We need to look after our planet and taking small steps such as this can make a huge impact.”

The challenge can be taken at your own time and pace up until the 31^st March 2022.

The challenge is to include a variety of veg ONLY grown in NI, in at least one meal per day for seven days.  The public are encouraged to take part with the Vegetable Advocates and with those who have already signed up. To register and find out what exactly is involved fill in the easy Registration Form or email portia@belfastfoodnetwork.org

The Culinary Arts Management Students at the University of Ulster have pledged the challenge! Under the guidance of course Director Michael Gillies they will be taking part in Love NI Veg workshops dedicated to the challenge.  Anyone who wants to follow their lead can do so and get creative like the on-site The Academy Restaurant where students might surprise you with a delicious and innovative lunch menu during the challenge!

Throughout the year Vegetable Advocates have made a commitment to NI veg and it has already seen results.  It is about increasing vegetable consumption.  It is not a guilt trip or activity to make people feel worried about lifestyle choices, nor about reducing consumption of other foods. It’s about eating more veg for health and supporting local. The Vegetable Advocates are part of a UK wide Peas Please project launched in 2017 by the Food Foundation.  They engage with local communities, farmers, retailers and manufactures to achieve a common goal of increasing vegetable consumption.

Reflecting on last year, Portia states “Like many others, I feel a responsibility to take one step or many small steps to satisfy my own climate anxiety.  It is an increasing footprint on our society, especially for children who have gained the understanding since COP26.”  The impact of the climate crisis demands collective action: it requires system and society behaviour transformation. As individuals we cannot stop climate change alone so working together particularly as household units we can increase our vegetable consumption, benefit our health, environment, and local farming economy: buy buying local!  ‘Parful’ Veg is a message from local farmers at www.vegni.co.uk who can guide you in your choices with a NI calendar of seasonal veg grown by local farmers.

With February assigned the month of love, it’s perfect to really Love NI Veg – you can’t ‘beet’ it!

Photo Left to Right: Michael Gillies Course Director Culinary Arts University of Ulster, Portia Woods Vegetable Advocate Support Officer NI, Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Kate Nicholl. Photograph taken at The Academy Restaurant, University of Ulster.