Tag: Michele Shirlow

Jean-Christophe Novelli set to sizzle at opening of IFEX 2018

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IT has just been announced that multi-Michelin star award-winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, is set to officially open this year’s largest food, hospitality and retail exhibition –  IFEX 2018.

Taking place from the 20th – 22nd March at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Jean-Christophe will fly into Belfast to open the doors of IFEX and Meat@IFEX – the new sister event to IFEX.

Ahead of the April opening of his Novelli at City Quays restaurant at the AC Hotel by Marriott, Jean-Christophe will travel to IFEX to meet some of the country’s biggest food companies and artisan producers. Jean-Christophe will also meet with many of Northern Ireland’s student and industry culinarians who are taking part in ChefSkills – the competition where many of NI’s most-awarded chefs were first recognised.

Speaking ahead of opening the show, the celebrity chef added: “I am thrilled to be returning to Belfast to officially open IFEX, an event that supports the growth of the hospitality and foodservice sectors across the region.  Northern Ireland is fast-becoming world-renowned for its hospitality offering, and IFEX plays such a pivotal role in the development of skills and securing future business for the 200 plus exhibitors who are participating at the show.

 “I’m excited to visit the Great Taste Market, the International Street Food competition and to see chefs in action at ChefSkills.  Ahead of the opening of our new restaurant, Novelli at City Quays, myself and my executive head chef Jim Mulholland also be on the lookout for new local products and suppliers.”  

 IFEX 2018 is bigger than ever, with the event growing in size thanks to the addition of a sister show – Meat@IFEX. This continued investment and expansion demonstrates the growing appetite for the food and hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.  Meat@IFEX will host the World Butchers’ Challenge attracting hundreds of competitors and exhibitors from across the world. 

 Running across the three days and at the heart of IFEX is Salon Culinaire – Northern Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition, including IFEX Northern Ireland Chef of the Year, which is supported by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

 IFEX is a melting pot for all elements of the food, drink, retail and hospitality industries. Connecting producers and suppliers to distributors, and those in the foodservice and hospitality trade.

 A trade only event, IFEX 2018 is taking place from Tuesday 20th March to Thursday 22nd March at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast. The show opens daily at 10am and runs until 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and to 4pm on Thursday. If you’d like to attend, simply register for your free ticket at ifexexhibition.co.uk

Good Food and Good Company at The LegenDerry Food Festival

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The LegenDerry Food Festival is a free family event, held over two days on the 17th and 18th March as part of the St Patrick’s weekend celebrations, running from 12 mid-day to 6pm, there will be lots of entertainment and music for the younger ones to enjoy.

With over 20 food choices to experience, ranging from the sumptuous artisan cheese specialist Dart Mountain Cheese making distinctive flavours from local ingredients, great with their local chutneys and relishes, to the award-winning Morelli’s for their Italian recipe ice-cream with an addition of hot waffles and the new Affogato with a shot of Lavazzo espresso which will be great during the recent cold weather we are experiencing!

MC for the weekend will be television chef and writer Brian McDermott, who will also be launching his new book during the final day of the food festival Sunday 18th March. With a guest appearance by Rachel Allen, known for her television appearances all over the world, Brian was asked about his expectations for the forthcoming food festival which is part of the larger Spring Festival designed by Derry and Strabane District Council.

“I will be concentrating on making sure that everyone who is taking part will be in the right place at the right time!” says Brian.  He continued, “I love to coach and mentor young and new talent, helping them continue with their passion in either cooking or becoming a food producer. The LegenDerry Food Festival is becoming a unique experience as local businesses and restaurants are coming on board, and the recipes you experience at the event you can find when you go to eat out, which is fantastic.”

When asked about his new book, Brian said, “My book launch in N.Ireland will be at the Food Festival as I wanted to ensure LegenDerry visitors had the opportunity to read it first! It is 100 recipes collected over 25 years and called the ‘Donegal Table’ using produce from my local area. It’s about bringing the origins of cooking the evening meal back to basics, like my granny used to do.

“With recent health scares in the media about eating so much processed food, my book concentrates on cooking fresh, cooking local and making cooking fun again.  I have two teenage girls who are also getting involved and loving it! Especially when some of the recipes are one pot wonders and ‘food craic’, which are all about the social element of eating.

“The city has developed an amazing food base and the LegenDerry Food Festival is a key part of that. I attend over 30 food events each year, and this one is a huge favourite of mine because of the food offering, new talent, producers and of course the visitors who come to it.

“We are continually interfacing with the public at the event, and the attractions of additional tourists is enhancing the local economy and the hospitality industry. The boost is evident with the creation of new jobs and the support it gives to highlight local industry to come back again this year as I have so much self-assurance in what this award-winning event delivers. It is a strong region, improving platforms for food and I am looking forward to the two-day programme. There is so much to see, taste and experience and of course it is for all the family of all ages.  It is jam packed!

The award winning LegenDerry Food Festival is part of the Spring Festival Programme supported by Tourism NI and DAERA’s NI Regional Food Programme and organised by Derry and Strabane City Council. For more info go to www.derrystrabane.com/food   @islandskypr

2018 Great Taste Award Entry now open

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1 February General entry – open to all

Members’ Fortnight ended automatically at midnight on 31 January
Normal rate of entry will now apply to all
Entry for Great Taste is capped at 12,500
ENTER EARLY to avoid disappointment and missing out

16 February Closing date  If entry cap is not already reached before this date

March to mid-June Delivery Instructions calling for products

Download notifications sent via email

20 March Judging begins in London & Dorset

8 June Judging ends

Late June 3 star products re-called for judging

4 July  3-star Judging Day

Early August Results and Feedback

 

Enter Here Now

BELFAST CITY AIRPORT ANNOUNCES £15 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

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Major works will significantly enhance overall passenger journey through the airport

George Best Belfast City Airport has announced a £15 million infrastructure investment that will include a major upgrade of its departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food and beverage offering.

The investment also includes an upgrade of the airport’s central security area and hold baggage screening facilities, as well as the purchase of a new fleet of Airport Fire appliances.

The capital expenditure will further enrich and enhance the overall passenger journey through the airport, with the upgrade of the central security search area aimed at more efficient processing for all departing passengers.

There will be in excess of a 30% increase in retail space, with an expanded offering from World Duty Free and WH Smith. Food and beverage facilities will be expanded by 25%, with broader choice for customers being introduced along with partner HMS Host, which operates existing facilities including the Bushmills Bar.

Additionally, customer seating will be more than doubled, as will airside customer washroom facilities, which will also be fully refurbished.

The completed works will be contained within the current terminal building and will be completed by October 2018.

Belfast City Airport announced the infrastructure investment at a breakfast briefing for key stakeholders on Tuesday morning at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, said:

“In keeping with our overall mission of delivering an airport experience that exceeds our customers’ expectations, Belfast City Airport is fully committed to continually improving the overall journey for our passengers. The £15m investment in our infrastructure is another major reinforcement of our commitment.

“The upgrading of our departure lounge and retail offering will provide greater choice and significantly enhance the experience for our core business and leisure passengers as they travel through the airport.

“The strategic designs help future-proof the airport and we look forward to continuing what has been a successful period across many areas of our business.”

Speaking during the unveiling of the plans, Mr Ambrose said the investment reinforced the contribution the airport is making to key Belfast City Council growth strategies. He commented:

“As a rapidly-evolving city and, as one of Belfast City Council’s key stakeholders, we are proud to play our part in supporting Belfast’s growth and in driving forward strategies to further enhance the city’s reputation on a global stage.

“As a major employer in the city, we will continue working in partnership with the Council and other stakeholders to help further develop a vibrant local economy by improving global connections through our strong network of blue-chip airline partners.

“Situated just five minutes from the city centre, we provide an important gateway for opportunity, not only for business passengers and tourists departing Belfast, but also to inbound holidaymakers from overseas and potential foreign investors.”

The new terminal reconfiguration was designed by Todd Architects and the main elements of the refit will be carried out by H&J Martin on behalf of the airport.

Speaking at the breakfast briefing, The Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast City Council, Councillor Sonia Copeland, said:

“Through regional growth strategies, such as the Belfast Agenda and the Local Development Plan, Belfast City Council remains focused on creating an ambitious and dynamic city for the 21st century, that all our citizens can be proud of.

“Belfast City Airport is one of a range of stakeholders who have a key role to play in the ongoing growth of the city, and we warmly welcome the £15m infrastructure investment. We look forward to the works progressing and the enhanced experience that passengers will be able to enjoy.”

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, commented:

“This investment is excellent news for Belfast and for tourism to Northern Ireland. As an island, direct, convenient and competitive air access is critical to delivering growth in inbound tourism and any improvement in the experience of our overseas visitors, including travelling through our airports, is very much welcomed.

“Tourism Ireland is committed to working with all of our airports and airline partners to maximise opportunities for new and existing flights, helping to deliver further growth in overseas visitor numbers.”

 

To find out more about George Best Belfast City Airport’s Corporate Responsibility strategy, please visit http://www.belfastcityairport.com

 

George Best Belfast City Airport can also be found on Facebook (George Best Belfast City Airport) and Twitter (@BelfastCity_Air).

Nomination Deadline- Institute of Hospitality Awards 2018

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The deadline for submitting your nominations for The Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism 2018 is Monday 5th February.

The categories for the 23rd Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism are:

  • Independent Bar Manager of the Year
  • Coffee Shop / Café Manager of the Year
  • Restaurateur of the Year
  • Restaurant Chef of the Year
  • Hotel Chef of the Year
  • Contract Catering Chef of the Year
  • Contract Catering Manager of the Year
  • Hotelier of the Year
  • Front Of House Manager of the Year
  • Housekeeping Manager of the Year
  • Business Development Manager of the Year
  • Duty Manager of the Year (New!)
  • General Manager of the Future (New!)
  • Human Resource Manager of the Year (New!) 
  • The Unsung Hero Award (New!) 
  • Hospitality Management Team of the Year
  • Supplier of the Year
  • Lecturer of the Year
  • Outstanding Apprentice of the Year

The largest event within the Northern Ireland Branch calendar will take place on Friday 11 May 2018 at Titanic Belfast. The awards recognise talented individuals who have made a valuable contribution to their business and the industry over the past year.

The award nomination process is open to any eligible candidate who fits the criteria. You don’t have to be a member to take part.  The awards website is live at http://www.iohniawards.com

Morelli’s Ice Cream Launches New Take Home Retail Tubs

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Northern Ireland’s famous Italian Ice Cream brand, Morelli’s, has launched a brand new range of retail packaging to meet growing demand from consumers to enjoy its famous ice cream at home.

 The family run business has invested time, effort and resources into the vibrant new design to ensure the products pop out at the shopper from the supermarket freezer. The new and convenient 950ml tub range includes the multi award-winning Double Cream Vanilla, Honeycomb, Raspberry Ripple and Sea Salted Caramel. Tesco Northern Ireland is the first retailer to stock the new packaging in all four flavours.

A new range of individual 125ml sized spoon-in-lid pots in five flavours, Double Cream Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Sea Salted Caramel and Honeycomb, is also part of the new retail packaging launch.

Arnaldo Morelli who heads up the family owned business, said:

“It’s key to our growth strategy that Morelli’s continues to meet with consumer demand and this can only be done by constantly innovating and by making our ice cream more accessible to even more people.

“The new look packaging has been a labour of love and, at present, no one else is using this design in Ireland or the UK and we’re confident that it will help draw the shopper in for the all-important first trial.”

The Morelli family has been making ice cream since 1911 and has both ice cream shops and franchises across Northern Ireland, as well as a portable vending pod for festivals and events. The brand has been growing its market share in Ireland with the expansion into Tesco Ireland in 2017 and plans to expand the factory premises in Coleraine during the first part of 2018.