Big news for Mayo food and drink producers

 Big news for Mayo food and drink producers

 

Wednesday 19^th May 2021 will be a red letter day for every food and drink producer in the county of Mayo. It’s the launch date for the much anticipated Mayo Food and Drink Networking and Training Programme which will totally change the food and drink landscape within the county. This is a really important event for owners or managers of food and drink businesses in Mayo to attend. It’s relevant for both established businesses and those at an earlier stage of development. Getting involved at the beginning will increase the value your business gets from the new network.

 

Celebrity chef Brian McDermott (right) is keynote speaker at the virtual event, and will talk about the importance and value of Irish food producers to hospitality and food tourism. Brian McDermott is an award winning chef, author, presenter and proud Donegal man who has just been named Ireland’s Producers Champion for 2021 by Blas na hEireann. He has built a national reputation on one simple belief – that tasty, healthy food based around traditional recipes and local produce is something everyone should enjoy. He’s a familiar face on TV, has his own weekly BBC radio slot and is a regular on the Irish food festival circuit.

 

The Programme is a result of the Mayo Food and Drink Strategy 2025, and between now and July 2022 will give free and easy access to training, mentoring, and information supports, exclusively to Mayo food and drink businesses. Having a network of producers will develop and improve the profile of Mayo food nationally. The producer register already includes 115 businesses and any who have not yet signed up are encouraged to get involved. There is no cost to producers. 

 

Sue O’Toole, Senior Enterprise Officer, South West Mayo Development Company has been a stalwart champion for developing the food and drink sector in Mayo. She commented, “Last year I was privileged to work with local producers to develop the Mayo Food & Drink Strategy 2025. Now, South West Mayo Development Company, on behalf of Mayo Local Action Group, is delighted to announce the Mayo Food Programme, a LEADER funded response to the challenges and opportunities identified in the Mayo Food & Drink Strategy 2025. The Programme will action the priorities identified by producers.  It is totally food focused offering networking supports and a range of training and skills development supports. LEADER continues to work with the producers in Mayo’s vibrant and growing food and drink sector”.

 

Programme manager Oonagh Monahan has secured the services of four expert trainers, all steeped in the food and drink sector. They are: Aisling Roche (business supports); Louise McDonnell (e-commerce and e-marketing); Suzanne O’Brien (food tourism/integrating the food and drink sectors with tourism); Derek and Joanna Hannick (adapting your food and drink business for future opportunities and challenges).

Launch attendees will get the benefit of the trainers’ top tips for saving time, making money and ensuring success. It’s a great chance to ask burning questions and get the benefit of their shared experience and knowledge. Everyone at the launch will also be included in a free draw.

 

Elaine Moyles, A/Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office Mayo, explained the support her organisation can offer, saying, “LEO Mayo is delighted to support the Mayo Food & Drinks Network. We work with local producers across the food and drinks sector offering training, mentoring and financial supports to help grow and scale their business and can see at first-hand the high quality produce created in the county and sold worldwide. We encourage local businesses to take part in this important opportunity to collectively promote their products, reach wider markets and advertise Mayo as the food destination of choice”.

 

Join in the launch of the Mayo Food and Drink Networking and Training Programme at 12 noon on Wednesday 19^th May. It will be streamed live on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mayofoodanddrink). The link will be shared on social media.

 

The Mayo Food and Drink Networking and Training Programme is supported by South West Mayo Development Company and Local Enterprise Office Mayo.

press release

Cheers on beer, whiskey and wine. With Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Office, O'Briens Wine, Rascals, Wines of the World, Waterford Whisky,

Cheers #211802, on beer, whiskey and wine. With Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Office, O'Briens Wine, Rascals, Wines of the World, Waterford Whisky

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Bord Bia's The Food & Drink Starter Programme

(Via Local Enterprise Office South Cork)

The Food & Drink Starter Programme is an essential programme for anyone who wishes to go into the Food or Beverage business in Ireland. A Bord Bia programme, sponsored by the LEO, the programme is run on our behalf by Conor Hyde of Bullseye Marketing. By expressing your interest in completing the programme, we will contact you when the next one is available to book. It is delivered over 2 full days in person, or over 4 half days through online Zoom webinar.

Click here for more info

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O'Briens Wines invite you to

Spring into this week's offers (one of which is Very Rare!)

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Milkshake Time Again at Rascals!

Here’s a milkshake that will bring all the boys to the yard a smile to your face this week. Brewed with coconut, vanilla and chocolate from The Proper Chocolate Company, the much-loved Rascals Milkshake Stout is back and it’s on sale now! You can get a 24-can mixed case or a 12-can mixed case; there are plenty of options online right now. Don’t forget we are donating €1 from every webshop order, throughout February, to our local National Council for the Blind shop.

Details here

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March Virtual Wine Tasting

from Wines of the World

Our next virtual tasting will go live on March 12th. We have included 6 wines in our surprise wine case - 3 different wines- 2 of each wine. This will include white wine and two different red wines. One of each wine to taste on our virtual tasting and a second of each to enjoy at a time of your choice. Join us for our virtual tasting on March 12th at 7pm on our social media platforms @WinesIreland on Instagram or Facebook. The video will remain on our social platforms Facebook & Instagram @WinesIreland for viewing at your convenience from 7pm on March 12th onwards so you can view at a later time or date if it suits you better. Click the button below to purchase yours now.

Surprise Mixed Case - Virtual Tasting March 12th **********

THE WHISKY TERROIR PROJECT READ ACADEMIC PAPER The first rigorous, academic paper in our ongoing Whisky Terroir Project – "The impact of terroir on the Flavour of Single Malt Whisky New Make Spirit" – has officially been published in the peer-review journal Foods.   The game-changing research using the very latest Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrum Olfactometry (GC/MS-O), demonstrates analytically and sensorially that terroir influences the flavours in both barley and the spirit distilled from that barley. Though we of course knew it all along, this paper proves once and for all – beyond denial and intuition – the influence of terroir on single malt whisky new make spirit.

Cheers 210111 -Wine, Beer, Spirits- Rascals, Supervalu, O'Briens Wine, Clonakilty Distillery, Blacks Brewery and Distillery

Cheers 210111

Wine, Beer, Spirits

Rascals, Supervalu, O'Briens Wine, Clonakilty Distillery, Local Enterprise Office, Blacks Brewery and Distillery, Wines of the World, Klaas de Jong

RASCALS: YOU BUY THE BEER, WE’LL MAKE THE DONATION

 

For every webshop order in January we’re donating €1 to The Irish Blue Cross. 

Less than a hundred feet from us here in Goldenbridge Estate, Inchicore, is the headquarters for The Irish Blue Cross. Pets need their help and they need your help! Due to COVID-19 government restrictions, their operations have changed significantly. The Irish Blue Cross is already extremely stretched due to the global pandemic and they are working around the clock to treat the tens of thousands of patients already on their files.

The Irish Blue Cross is an animal welfare charity with a practical and caring approach at the heart of their clinical work. The veterinary team provide information, support and education on how to be a responsible pet owner and ensure precious pets have a happy and healthy life.

More info here

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Supervalu's Current Wine Offers Focus on Organic and Vegan, also on Alcohol Free

Supervalu's first wine offer of the year focuses on a selection of Vegan wines plus a range of Low Alcohol wines for January. It is up and running and due to end on January 20th after which another tempting offer will kick in. Just remember that, just like O'Briens below, Loyalty points will not be earned on the purchase of alcohol products.

The WINE OF THE MONTH is GIGONDAS REMY FERBRAS 75cl at only €12, was €19.66. This excellent wine from the Lower Rhone grows on a rocky argillaceous limestone terroir, to allow the best expression of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The classic vinification preserves the authenticity and elegance of this wine. To be served with roast lamb, game and casseroles, also perfect with mature cheese.

Rioja, with two from Finca Labarca and one by plus the La Maldita Garnacha, is well worth a try. I have my eye on the Abellio Albarino (now at €10.00 instead of 13.76). Made entirely from hand-harvested Albarino grapes, this Spanish wine, from the Rias Baixas area, has a mid-gold colour. Quite rich aromas of white fruit, apple and pear, and also peach. There is a striking refreshing minerality on the palate where the same fruit flavours shine through fresh and crisp.

The Albarino grape is a distinctive Northern Spanish variety. Its refreshing characteristics make it very versatile with fish and particularly with seafood. Often recommended for Asian also.

On the dry for January? Then help is at hand from two well-known producers. Torres feature with Naturo Muscat and Syrah while Freixenet have a Cava on offer, all non alcoholic.

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More info here

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Tour Experience Temporarily Closed   After a very different kind of Christmas to previous ones, we have entered in to 2021 with wishful thoughts and high hopes for a great new year.   Due to the most recent government guidelines we have temporarily closed our Visitor Experience, and distillery shop.   Our online shop still remains open, to purchase any gift vouchers or products.   We appreciate all your support and understanding during these uncertain times. We are looking forward to reopening again soon and welcoming you back.   Wishing you a happy and safe new year! ****** From: Local Enterprise Office South Cork Register here ****** Hopefully this post isn't too long for you guys, a hell of a lot happened in 2020! We also have a special offer on Spirits so im  going to put that in here first as these deals always sell out super fast. Once you have yours you can read this Annual wrap up at your leisure! All the news from Blacks + January specials here  ******

Happy New Year from Wines of the World!

 Wishing you all the best for 2021.

Two New Organic Wines by Michel Lynch.

 

We have two new organic wines available on Wines Of The World from the Bordeaux region of France supplied by our top French winery. The Michel Lynch Organic White and the Michel Lynch Organic Red. Click here for more details.

NEW! Complete Season WineMasters Spain now available!

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by Klaas de Jong. See free trailer here

A still (not a video!) from the series

 

The Food Starter Programme Starting Soon

 

The Food Starter Programme

Register here

Dream Comes True for Athula. New Production Facility Opened

Dream Comes True for Athula

New Production Facility Opened 

Happy Day!

A dream came through for Athula Kuruppu Achchige in Carrigaline yesterday when his state of the art production facility was officially opened in the local industrial estate. His immediate family from Cork and Sri Lanka, along with many friends, were present on this happy occasion for a man who has worked hard on his long journey to Cork.

A 26 year long civil war in his own country in 1983; that and growing family responsibilities forced him abroad to look for work as a chef. He couldn't be choosy and went where the agents sent him and that included Iraq (where he was head chef at an American base) and then Bahrein airport’s VIP Lounge (where he cooked for local and world leaders passing through).

County Mayor Declan Hurley (left) and local TD Michael McGrath open Athula's spanking new unit in Carrigaline.

Eventually, in 2005, he headed for Ireland and a job in the Hayfield Manor. In 2012, he opened his own restaurant Rooster Pil Pil in Ballincollig. But what he really wanted to do was to produce his own sauces and, with help from the local enterprise office, that became a really in recent years.

He was advised to go to the farmers markets and see if his products would sell. They did and he got an opportunity to find his feet in the new Cork County Council Incubator Kitchens (also in Carrigaline). He has proved himself there and now, again with local authority help and a large investment of his own, has a wonderful state of the art stream-lined production facility.

Great to congratulate Athula on his big day!

His first products, a range of Peri Peri Sauces (from mild to hot), went down well. And now he is also producing a few curry sauces including Jalfrezi, Tikka Masala and Korma. The products are available in 35 SuperValu stores, over 30 independents and now just coming onto the shelves in Aldi. And soon he’ll be selling spices and high quality Ceylon teas from his homeland.

Athula Fusion Foods

Unit 11, Carrigaline Industrial Estate

Kilnageary Road

Carrigaline

Co. Cork

Call 087 136 7525

Web: http://athulafusionfoods.com/ 

Superb Line-up of Food and Drink Events for next week!

Festival Cork are in their second year now and have once again teamed up with Taste Cork to bring:

Taste Cork Week 2017, October 16th- 22nd And for the first time this year, an extended special “Taste Jazz” 23rd-26th October

There are almost 40 venues signed up this year all showcasing the best local produce our county has to offer! There are some fantastic events on across the week all of which are listed on our website www.festivalcork.com

Here’s just a taster of what the week holds: (please see our calendar for full list)

Wednesday 18th October, Electric Cork host a “Meet the Producers” event, giving people the chance to meet some of Cork's best producers, and of course sample their products. Tickets €25

Monday 16th October, Casanova Gelato are giving 6 lucky people the chance to become a Gelato maker for the day, with exclusive behind the scenes opportunity into the world of making ice cream! Tickets limited €55

Wednesday 18th October, Ballyvolane House host a distillery tour and lunch

Sunday 15th October, Longueville House offer an exclusive tour of their orchard and a very special Harvest Lunch

17th and 18th of October, Franciscan Well Brewpub will be hosting beer and whiskey tasting sessions

On The Pig's Back will be hosting cheese tasting session all week long in both The English Market and Douglas

Friday 20th October, Black Brewery are doing a tap take over in The Bierhaus

October 19th, Ballymaloe House have teamed up with Jameson Whiskey to host a supper club

October 17th, Holy Smoke are having a Taste Cork BBQ with craft beer and whiskey

For all tickets and info, and all other events please visit our website or Facebook page

Taste Jazz We have a series of very exciting pop ups for our extension of Taste Cork week with Guinness and Diageo, in the fantastic new Nano Nagle Place

Monday 23rd October 2017 - Seamus O'Connell of Ivory Tower presents “Tastescapes” Tuesday 24th October 2017 – Flavour.ie and Pamela Kelly of Market Lane present “From the Producer to the Plate”

Wednesday 25th October 2017 – The Fish Bar@The Electric presents “Plateau de fruits de Mer”

Thursday 26th October 2017 – Good Day Deli presents “Sustainable Foods with South Pacific Flavour” SOLD OUT!!

We are also featuring some great Jazz events in city venues:

Electric, Thursday 26th October, Free finger food and The Loungeman

Holy Smoke,Wednesday 25th October, “Jazz Cuts” A night of whiskey, steaks and live jazz The Raven, Wednesday 25th October, the newly refurbished Raven will host a cocktail evening

Sober Lane, Thursday 26th October, Roe and Co Whiskey Tasting and live music

And keep an eye out for our “Jazz Cafes” with some live music lunches across the city!

For up to date info and bookings, check the Festival website here 

Taste Cork Week. Plus! Jazz Extension Added

Taste Cork Week. Plus!

Jazz Extension Added

The perfect cider pour by Rupert of Longueville House

Following last year’s success, Taste Cork Week returns next month. Indeed, it will run for more than a week with an extension that takes it up to the eve of the Jazz Weekend.

At the launch last week, in Nano Nagle Place, the spanking new major attraction right in the heart of the city, Ernest Cantillon of Festival Cork told us to watch out for some of the more informal events: jazz cafes, a distillery visit in a barn, and pop ups in unusual places. 

Ernest Cantillon of Festival Cork

One or more of those pop ups will be in the café in the peaceful gardens of Nano Nagle. Keep an eye on the Taste Cork website here for more details of all events.

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Victor O'Sullivan (left) of Bluebell
and Tim Mulcahy (Chicken Inn)

Evenings with guest chefs always seem to be popular. One of the highlights from last year was in Isaac’s when Arun Kapil, founder of award-winning spice company Green Saffron, Chef Patron Canice Sharkey along with restaurant co-owners Michael and Catherine Ryan, hosted an exclusive sold-out spice pop-up at the Cork city institution in McCurtain Street.

Holy Smoke are one of the first up this year with an invite “to embark on a unique gourmet journey and experience the best of Irish BBQ cuisine, prepared with the local meat that is cooked in Holy Smoke’s signature barbecue-style, low-n-slow, for four to sixteen hours”. 

Pitmasters John Relihan and Decky Walsh will serve up an exquisite six-course meal on October 17th and will walk you through the secrets and preparation techniques behind each dish while Caroline Hennessy will masterfully guide you through the pairing of each dish, presenting and explaining the corresponding whiskey or craft beer.

Justin Green, and Bertha’s Revenge of course, were at the launch. And Justin has an event lined up at Ballyvolane House. It will kick-off at 12 noon  (October 18th) with a B&T (Bertha & Tonic) and as soon as everyone has arrived, guests will be given a tour of the house, gardens and gin distillery. 

Lunch will be served at 1pm in the dining terrace where guests can meet and chat with the makers over lunch. Stonewell Cider and Eight Degrees Brewing will also be involved and tipples produced by all three makers will be served during lunch.

So there you are, a nice trip to the countryside. As Ernest Cantillon said in his address the event is designed to bring city and county together and indeed both were officially represented on the night.

Lorna Conroy of
Kinsale Bay.

Lord Mayor Tony Fitzgerald pointed to the fact that Cork has been designated as a Healthy City and put that down largely to the good food in the area. He stressed the importance of festivals in drawing visitors and said he was very proud of what Ernest and his colleagues are doing.

Ian Doyle, Deputy County Mayor, rightly congratulated the City Council on the marvellous work that they have done (and are continuing to do) at Nano Nagle Place, “a fantastic venue”. He noted that artisan food and drink are becoming very important and praised the great dedication shown by the producers.

Ernest said there is a great relationship between businesses, such as restaurants and hotels and suppliers. “Cork is well known for the quality of its produce and it is up to us to make sure we use it.”

Shane Clarke, of Nano Nagle Place, gave us a brief rundown of the life of Nano Nagle and of the current project and said there had been some 250 years of education on the site, an element they intend to take forward. And he too mentioned their lovely cafe and is looking forward to the pop-ups during the festival. The Nano Nagle has just recently opened and is well worth a visit. Details here. 

As is usual with Taste Cork, there were quite a few producers in Nano Nagle: Cider from Stonewell and Longueville, spirits from Bertha’s Revenge, Kinsale and St Patrick’s, Kinsale Bay and the Fish Deli (great to meet up again with Monica and Peter), Bluebell Falls, Hassett’s, On the Pigs Back, and Ballymaloe Relish. And the Old Butter Roads Food Trail had a lovely tasting plate. Well done to all for turning up and adding to the occasion.