Eating Out

Sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. Picture: The Yorkshire Post Magazine/Tony Johnson

Today sees the start of the Christmas period, there is still time to get ready

NIFCC CEO/company secretary Valerie McCann with chairman George Mullan (ABP) and finance manager Pearl Campbell pictured at the 2024 Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification AGM in Lisburn. Picture: Columba O'Hare

NIFCC is helping Northern Ireland industry maintain its competitive edge

Pictured (left to right) are Ivan Ryan, regional managing director, Lidl Northern Ireland, and Robert Ryan, chief executive officer of Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland

Lidl NI procures more than £32m worth of goods and services from local suppliers

Award winning food and drink journalist, Julia Bryce

Young farmers impress in lamb for St Andrew’s Day competition

Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI and Conor O’Kane from Marie Curie launch festive volunteer appeal, SPAR an Hour, for 2024

Retailers bring festive magic for charity partners this Christmas

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has joined more than 25 other organisations from 14 different countries to launch a revolutionary new project to allow dairy calves to spend longer with their mothers

New project to improve the welfare of dairy calves and their mothers

Jason Ward and Karl Hearton with the Champion Beef Rib

LiveScot 2024: A showcase of excellence in Scotch beef and Scotch lamb

Cranberries are one of the gifts we can thank our transatlantic friends for. They’re readily available in the freezer section but in the recipe here I’m using dried cranberries soaked in local whiskey, or apple juice. Picture: Alexander Raths - stock.adobe.com

We should be more thankful to our farmers instead of penalising them

Professor Rudolf Krska attended the prestigious award ceremony in Copenhagen recently

Queen’s professor awarded world’s most prestigious food science prize

Farming Life news

Sales of antibiotics for animals at lowest level to date

Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc, with presenter Jonathan McCrea on tonight’s episode of 10 Things to Know About… Food Security.

Teagasc scientists to feature in tonight's 10 Things to Know About...on RTÉ One

Butternut squash is now a staple but there’s a whole big world of gourds out there that deserve to be used all year round and not just for one night. Picture: David Loftus

Some squash are still appearing in the shops which is very heartening

Now that Halloween is over the shops are in full Christmas mode although I have noticed some squash still appearing in the shops.

Paula McIntyre

Áine Byrne, Norfish, Michael Gallagher, innovation manager, BIM, John Kenny, Atlantis, Frédéric Mens, Upcyclink and Richard Donnelly, development and innovation director, BIM

Irish seafood industry looks to increase value of co-products

John McCulloch, Sarah Millar, Claire Taylor and Matthew Smith at an exclusive preview screening of the global documentary World Without Cows in Edinburgh

Quality Meat Scotland and Alltech host preview World Without Cows documentary

Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market is set to delight visitors once again Darryl Armitage

Darryl Armitage

With the Christmas party season fast approaching, Craigavon-based drinks distributor United Wines has launched details of its festive Designated Driver campaign to help Northern Ireland revellers enjoy the party season and get home safe. Starting from November 18, the initiative will see partygoers who volunteer themselves as a designated driver rewarded with a free Heineken®0.0 or Birra Moretti Zero when they make themselves known to bar staff by showing their car keys at participating venues. Launching the safe driving campaign are Gemma Herdman (left) and Maura Bradshaw of United Wines, with Willy Erwin of The Lansdowne on Antrim Road, Belfast.

United Wines launches designated driver campaign in Northern Ireland

Pudsey visits Towerview Primary School in Bangor

Asda colleagues in Northern Ireland Push for Pudsey for Children in Need

Dr Tom O’Dwyer, Dr David Meredith, Liam Herlihy, Teagasc chairman; European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, Dr Órlaith NÍ Choncubhair, Stella Meehan, Editor of Agriland; Dr Raymond Kelly

Collaborating for Impact: Ireland and Europe working together on agri food

Value Added Event at Marshalls Farm Shop

Quality Meat Scotland sparks innovation in Scotland’s butchery sector

Galgorm Collection acquires Galgorm Castle Estate and Roe Park Resort as part of milestone £50m investment

Galgorm Collection acquires Galgorm Castle Estate and Roe Park Resort
Galgorm Collection, Northern Ireland's premier luxury hospitality group has announced a landmark £50 million investment in the region’s hospitality and tourism sector following the acquisition of two of the region’s most iconic properties: Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Park Resort in Limavady.
Darryl Armitage

A pudding should be warm, may or may not have a fruity element, and always be served with cream, custard, ice cream or all three

A pudding can be sweet or savoury it’s now a celebration of sweet side

We put a leading supermarket's Christmas mince pies to the test

Carolyn Boyd, industry development manager at Tourism NI, Ger O’Brien, Camperhire4U Ltd, Lorraine Bell, Irish Landmark Trust and Paul O’Callaghan, Innovate NI programme manager, Invest NI, pictured at the innovation roadshow at Killeavy Castle Estate in Newry

Tourism NI hosts innovation workshop in at Killeavy Castle Estate, Newry

Chair of the judging panel Joris Minne and NI Food to Go Association CEO Michael Henderson

Banbridge food to go businesses announced as finalists for NI Food to Go Awards

Bronagh Luke from SPAR NI is pictured with Chef Stephen Jeffers from Forestside Cookery School and Chris Thompson, Tearfund’s director in Northern Ireland. This year’s partnership appeal will aim to raise £700,000 to help break the cycle of poverty around the world

Tearfund and SPAR NI festive appeal will help break the cycle of poverty

One of my most cherished stews is a traditional Irish one. For me it’s the potato that really makes the dish – creamy and full of the flavours from the lamb or beef it’s cooked with

Beef stew is our go to but there is a big world of stews to be discovered

We tend to have sausage rolls as a snack now but I love them as a centrepiece main course. Picture: Una O’Dwyer

It is the perfect time to embrace a national treasure, the humble sausage

Former owner, Patrick Hughes, is pictured with the team at SPAR Silverwood which has recently been acquired by Henderson Retail

Henderson Retail acquires successful Lurgan store

Oakleaf Group Director Nicky Wright and Joe Jackson of Oakleaf Contracts are making sure that everything is on schedule as work nears completion on Cookstown’s newest bar, The 40 Thieves Tavern on William Street. The Irish-American style pub, located on the site of what was once The Central Inn in the heart of the town, promises to give patrons ‘a taste of the 19th century Big Apple’ when it opens its doors to the public on Saturday November 2nd. Eight new serviced apartments, above and to the rear of the new bar will also be released for rental on Saturday November 9th. This is the first phase of a ‘town centre living’ initiative, with another 15 apartments currently being built on the site

Work nearing completion on Cookstown’s newest bar as opening date revealed

Gin itself has enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years with many now being produced in Northern Ireland. Picture: Yorkshire Post archives

I have many fond memories of Rita and Audrey in Corrie drinking gin and tonics

As Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) prepares for SIAL Paris - the world’s leading food and beverage trade fair - results from the QMS annual export survey reveal a remarkable rise in the total value of Scotland’s red meat and offal sold outside the UK to £137 million in the year from August 2023 to July 2024

Survey shows rise in value of Scotland’s red meat and offal exports
As Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) prepares for SIAL Paris – the world’s leading food and beverage trade fair – results from the QMS annual export survey reveal a remarkable rise in the total value of Scotland’s red meat and offal sold outside the UK to £137 million in the year from August 2023 to July 2024.
Darryl Armitage

Phyllis and Reggie Wright, Andrew Wright, Wayne Liggett, Mandy McReynolds, Helen Wright-Liggett and Heather McAdam

Wright’s reflect on 15 years as SPAR store with shopper appreciation day

Michael Henderson, CEO of NI Food to Go Association; Mel McNally, Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Kiera Campbell, Chair of NI Food to Go Association and Ana Wilkinson, CEO of Friends of the Cancer Centre

Food to Go Association pledges to raise £25k for new charity partner

American academic and animal behaviour expert, Dr Temple Grandin

Queen’s is set to host Dr Temple Grandin as university as part of celebrations

Whatever the health benefits are or aren’t coffee is a great tasting drink and also enhances many dishes. Picture: Marta P. (Milacroft) - stock.adobe.com

Theories about coffee consumption would leave you feeling a little dizzy

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is set to showcase Scotland’s red meat sector at SIAL Paris 2024, one of the world’s premier food and beverage trade shows, taking place from 19 -23 October

Quality Meat Scotland to showcase Scotch red meat sector at SIAL Paris 2024

A simple way of preparing parsnips is to give them a good scrub, cut them in half lengthwise and drizzle with oil, a sprinkling of salt and a twig or two of thyme. Picture: iStock

Parsnips need a bit of frost before harvesting, so we need cold nights

Pictured at Saturday's Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market are, (l-r) Terry McCartan, Hinch Distillery; Ken Baird, Pot Hill Apiary; Helen Wright, Cohen & Co; Tori MCaughey, Tori’s Coffee Bakes & Cakes and Gavin McShane, Little Popcorn Shop

Another successful year of Royal Hillsborough Farmers Markets come to a close

Farming Life news

World leading Animal and Plant Health Agency celebrates ten-year anniversary

Farming Life news

New legislation to support precision breeding and boost Britain’s food security

Root vegetables like carrots, beetroot, parsnips and turnips have natural sugars in them and when you roast them they caramelise. Picture: Archive

It is possible to do a flavoursome cottage pie vegetarian alternative

Ingrid Maxwell (Mallow Makers), Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, Renato Lopes (Moorcroft Foods) and Patrick Black (Clandeboye Estate). (Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry)

Enjoy the delicious tastes of borough at two-day artisan market

Stephanie Martin, Ballydown Milk with Alderman Amanda Grehan, Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Regeneration and Growth Committee and Rosie McNeill, Rosie McNeill Cakes

Second and final Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market takes place next week

The team at Castle Hayes Farm, near Tutbury

Success for Castle Hayes Farm at the Cream Awards

Northern Ireland comedy legend, Paddy Raff, has joined forces with Ireland’s Pizza King, Ciaran Kelly (left), founder of Pizza Crew, to ask students if they dunk or dip pizza into their sauce. Pizza Crew is visiting student events at The Hatfield on 15th and 17th September and Filthy McNasty’s on 16th September between 3pm and 6pm where they will be feeding slices of pizza to hungry students and asking if they dunk or dip their slices into sauce. Visit www.pizzacrew.co to order or download the Pizza Crew app - call the Andersonstown Road store on 02890 601060, the Antrim Road store on 02896 919676, the Ormeau Road store on 02895 320200 and the Lisburn store on 02892 441159.

Pizza Crew and Paddy Raff ask students about their pizza habits

Mandy Campbell from Hafner’s proudly launched the Hafner’s Sausages Sports Fund which will give away five, £1000 cash awards to schools, clubs and community projects in Northern Ireland. To apply for a share of the £5000 visit, https://hafnersfund.com/ where you will be asked to fill out a simple form that includes some info on what you plan to use the funds for. For more information on Hafner’s Sausages visit www.mallonfoods.com/hafners-sausages/.

Hafner’s pitches in with £5k sports fund

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Sarah Duffy

In pictures: Successful Armagh Food and Cider Weekend sees surge in ticket sales

Pictured at EuroSense 2024, the 11th European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research, taking place in the RDS Dublin are Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director with chairs of EuroSense 2024 and Teagasc researchers Dr Eimear Gallagher, Dr Emily Crofton and Dr Sinéad McCarthy

11th European Conference explores ‘a sense of global culture’

Pictured at the launch of The Plough’s (Hillsborough) new shirt sponsorship deal with Lisburn Rugby Football Club (LRFC) are (left to right): Kenny Millen (chair, LRFC), Michael Keating, Captain First XV LRFC, Gareth Gardiner (The Plough) and Michael Knowles, director of rugby, LRFC

The Plough cuts new deal with Lisburn Rugby as club shirt sponsorship unveiled

Ruth, deli manager at SPAR Banbridge, braved an ice bath at the store in aid of the charity

Community store team raise over £1,000 for children’s cancer charity

Blackberries will deteriorate very quickly so use them straight away or preserve them for future use. Picture: stock.adobe.com

One of the simplest and easiest ways to keep blackberries is to freeze them

Following an investment of £500K, Pizza Crew Lisburn was officially opened by Belfast Giants players Scott Conway (front centre left) and Bo Hanson. Pictured with the players at the official opening is Pizza Crew founder, Ciaran Kelly (centre) with residents from Lisburn

New Lisburn Pizza Crew officially opened by Belfast Giants

Colleen Milligan from Air Ambulance NI with Lynn Smiley P&G EUROSPAR Portadown, Faye Lyttle EUROSPAR Ranfurly and Kevin Coyle EUROSPAR Donaghmore

Local retailers take to the water to battle it out in Dragon Boat Race 2024

Alexander and Freda Martin with Sarah Greer and Sarah Mayne pose for the cameraman

12 pictures from the big breakfast organised by Annaclone and Magherally YFC

The annual Moira Speciality Food Show always has plenty of fruit and vegetables on offer. Picture: National World archive

Paula McIntyre: At our local food festivals you’ll find proper jam and rare bree...

Charlene McKinstry, Gracehill Flower Farm; Ilse van Staden, Ke Nako Biltong; Alderman Amanda Grehan, Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Regeneration & Growth Committee; Richard Wallace, Ballylisk of Armagh; Ching Yi Yuen, Eastern Bagel and Karen Patterson from DAERA’s Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme

The best of NI’s artisan produce celebrated at the Moira Speciality Food Fair

Northern Ireland’s third best-selling sausages, Hafner’s, named Banbridge woman, Laura Rooney as the winner of its Mastercook search which set out to find amateur cooks with the tastiest and most original recipes that feature the humble sausage. The judges were chef supremo and owner of Belfast Cookery School, Ian Hunter, funnyman and sausage lover, Ciaran Bartlett and radio personality, Carolyn Stewart who each loved Laura’s dish, Honey and garlic Thai pork cakes with chilli vermicelli noodles. Laura takes home the title of Hafner’s Mastercook 2024 and a cash prize of £500

Watch: Hafner’s Sausages crowns the winner of the Mastercook search

The Dog and Duck Inn in Lisbellaw has been named as one of the top 17 pubs in the UK as part of the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) prestigious Pub of the Year competition

Lisbellaw pub named best in Northern Ireland, as CAMRA announces the top pubs

Roger Merryweather, Lord Mayor, Councillor Sarah Duffy and John Nicholson. Picture by Philip Magowan

Historic Bramley Apple planting marks return of Armagh Food and Cider Festival