Luca Montorio has always believed that good food revolves around family and friends. That’s what he remembers most about his childhood in Italy.
He likes to combine a few simple ingredients to create interesting and alternative flavours that all the family can enjoy. He married the much-loved classic Italian combination of roasted red pepper with tomato to create PEPPUP, his family ketchup, as a wholesome alternative to shelf bought tomato ketchup products. It was such a hit with his family and friends that he brought it to market.
We, and so many others are very glad he did. The range has now expanded as has his reach, but he’s always interested to hear about more potential customers.
Hugh Anderson was a Meat Hygiene Inspector before he started Gracehill Puddings about 8 years ago. He does the pudding thing the time-honoured way with no pre-mix used. He only buys ingredients from local suppliers.
Initially the business was a sideline but it became so popular that he had to give up his job to concentrate on it.
Chef Chris Fearon used the Black Pudding in an apple fritter for the BBC’s Great British Menu programme in 2012. The puddings have also featured on UTV’s Great Food Adventure with Jenny Bristow and Barry McGuigan and BBC Radio Ulster’s Saturday Magazine show with Paula McIntyre.
Sales are increasing year on year. This is the real deal, so when you see it, get it!
They’re fast running out of wall space for all the awards they’ve won at Beech Hill Country House Hotel. There are 31 luxurious bedrooms and suites so you can stay over after a fine meal at the Ardmore Restaurant and look forward to a breakfast of kings the next morning.
Their style of cooking is seasonal Irish country house. They are 70 per cent self-sufficient in terms of vegetables and herbs which they grow in their own walled garden.
In the Ardmore restaurant they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and in their Gallery Lounge there is a lighter options menu and popular afternoon teas. In addition to this they have private dining facilities in Skipton Hall for up to 80 people and for larger functions they have their own marquee pavilion which will seat up to 350. Not surprisingly this is a popular venue for weddings and special occasions.
Walk off that yummy food in the six kilometres of woodland trails. This place also has historic links with the US marines and World War II. Learn about the story at their have a museum room and on their outdoor trail. So many reasons to visit!
Established in late 2013 by Stephen McKenna who has over 20 years experience of the NI & ROI drinks industry, Clearsky Brewing Co. was born from a passion to create unique & authentic craft beer concepts for beer drinkers who don’t want to compromise on taste and quality. Clearsky Brewing Co. celebrates one of lifes simple pleasures, good beer with family & friends. Hand crafted in small batches, using the finest ingredients and without artificial preservatives, additives or colouring. Clearsky Brewing Co. brews Award Winning beer that remains true to the values and ethos of locally brewed craft beer. Enjoy with food or on their own. Each authentic beer is a contemporary take on a traditional beer style, that brings it up to date and gives a little bit more.
The first beer produced was Fulcrum, a Bavarian style premium wheat beer. Fulcrum is brewed to have a smooth silky mouthfeel ,retaining the gentle fruit and spice flavours of wheat beer but have a crisp clean finish. This balance of mouthfeel,flavour and finish sets Fulcrum apart from other beers in this style.
Rowlock, the second offering is a big flavoured American style IPA that just keeps giving. Brewed with 3 American hops (Liberty, Sarachi Ace & Calypso) and with a little wheat. Rowlocks initial full hop taste gives way to complex fruit notes that develop as you enjoy it’s smooth taste. At 4.5ABV Rowlocks easy drinking style has been described as a brewing “Triumph”.
Tidefall lager, the latest addition to the range is a premium lager beer that remains true to the traditional style of European lager, but is crafted to deliver the perfect balance of soft hop flavour and gentle malt sweetness. Tidefall has a subtle perfectly rounded flavour,that finishes with crisp refreshment, a true craft lager beer.
Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis knows a thing or two about business. He’s also got great taste. That’s why he gave their Gin and Tonic Marmalade his Sunday Small Business Prize.
Suzanne Livingstone and her husband create this and other fabulous flavours in a converted outbuilding in their countryside home. They say they love the whimsical life, so you might find a sprinkling of cinnamon or a shot of tequila in their tasty products or a slightly askew look at life in their creativity!
Their tall, thin 100ml jars are like jam-jar cocktails. Totally addictive. They do pottery too. Check out the website.
Donegal fish is some of the finest in our seas because of the cold Atlantic waters which make it taste all the sweeter. The people at Donegal Prime Fish factory in Derry-Londonderry know this very well.
They take the Prince of Fish; silver salmon from the sea and smoke it over oak chips. It’s so good it’s won a Great Taste Award. They also process white fish, shellfish and lots more.
This family business supplies hotels, restaurants, butchers and shops across Northern Ireland.
Call them for Today’s Specials.
