LEADING food and drink companies from across the north are to showcase their products this week at the iconic Borough Market in London.
Hundreds of original food and drink from around 14 food and drink processors, many of which have won UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann, Irish National Food Awards, will be on sale at the market this week leading up to St Patrick's Day.
On show from Northern Ireland will be oysters from Killough, cheese from Tandragee, butter from Dromara, eggs from Newtownbutler, balsamic vinegar from Richhill, butter from Portrush, handcrafted chocolate from Newry, culinary oils from Waringstown and gin from Crossgar.
New products being launched in London include Irish Black Butter from Portrush, Ballylisk cheese from Tandragee, and White’s organic muesli, also from Tandragee.
The showcase – the first-ever at Borough Market in Southwark – is being organised by Food NI, Northern Ireland’s food promotion body for the dynamic food and drink industry, with support from Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI. The four-day presentation follows an invitation from management at Borough Market, one of the most important in London and a magnet for visitors from many parts of the world. Meanwhile. joining the programme of culinary demonstrations will be Northern Ireland’s own kitchen ambassador Paula MacIntyre, who has cooked there on a number of occasions.
Michele Shirlow, Food NI’s chief executive, sees the presentation at Borough Market as “another important stage in the body’s commitment to help our companies win business in Britain, the single most important external marketplace for our superb food and drink”.
“The St Patrick’s Day presentation is certainly an ideal occasion to reach shoppers and visitors. It will be an immensely colourful showcase and will help increase awareness especially in London of the quality, wholesomeness and innovation of our food and drink,” she adds.
As London’s oldest food market, Borough Market remains a bustling and dynamic shopping centre that has been serving the people of Southwark for 1,000 years.
:: Local producers at Borough Market:
Abernethy Butter, Dromara – handcrafted butters
Ballylisk Dairies, Tandragee – cheese and butters
Burren Balsamics, Richhill – balsamic vinegars
Cavanagh Eggs, Newtownbutler – free range eggs
Echlinville Distillery, Kircubbin - gin
Harnett’s Oils, Waringstown – culinary oils
Hillstown Brewery, Randalstown, craft beers
Irish Black Butter, Portrush – sweet and savoury spread
Krazi Baker, Dromore – griddle breads
Lecale Seafood, Killough – oysters and mussels
Mash Direct, Comber – vegetable products and convenience meals
Neary Nogs, Newry – bean to bar chocolate
Shortcross Gin, Crossgar – craft gin
White’s Oats, Tandragee – porridge oats and museli
