A History of Ireland in 100 objects - A great Free Download Gift for St Patrick’s Day

To mark Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, here is a wee present from the people of Ireland to the people of the world, for St Patrick’s Day!

The Royal Irish Academy, the National Museum of Ireland and The Irish Times are collaborating with the EU Presidency, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Adobe to bring you a gift of A History of Ireland in 100 objects.

It is available as an interactive app for Apple iPhone and iPad, for most Android tablets and on the Kindle Fire, from our website, as well as associated app stores. 

You can also experience the book on your computer, smartphone or eReader by clicking on the 'eBook' button below.

The Gift is free to download until the end of March.
In this video, Irish Times journalist Fintan O'Toole,
talks about Ireland's wonderful Culture & History.

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If you wish to download the Free Gift to your computer or own a Nexus 10, please download the eBook version to enjoy A History of Ireland in 100 Objects.

If you have trouble opening the eBook, it may be because you don't have an eReader installed. You can download one from Adobe.

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Share the link to this story with All Your Family & Friends, so they too can get a Free History of Ireland in 100 Objects, from the people of Ireland.

Happy St Patrick's Day Everyone!

Zack

Irish Food Discussions on the Agenda at Donegal Enterprise Week

Food Entrepreneur Domini Kemp, Tara McCarthy from Bord Bia, Sarah Nic Lochlainn of Aruna Sauces, John Fagan, BIM Seafood Technologist and Shane McGee, Food Product Development at Errigal Seafood are just some of the high profile speakers lined up for the Food Section of this year’s Enterprising Donegal Business Week.

Running from Monday 4th March to Friday 8th March in various venues across the county, the Enterprise Week offers advice for all types of Business Start-ups. All events are free to attend but registration is essential. The Food discussions take place mainly on Wednesday but all workshops apply to all types of businesses. 

Organised by Donegal County Enterprise Board, in conjunction with its enterprise partners in Donegal, the aim of the week-long programme of events is to inspire and motivate people to consider starting their own business and to provide a learning and networking forum for those already in business.


"Donegal Business Week is now firmly established in the business calendar of Donegal and offers an annual opportunity for people in business and those thinking about starting a business, to make some time to hear how others have overcome obstacles or seized opportunities to either develop their business or achieve in their lives." said Micheal Tunney, CEO Donegal County Enterprise Board. "This year again we have organised in conjunction with our Enterprise Partners a range of speakers, events, workshops and seminars all aimed at providing opportunities for learning and networking with the ultimate objective of assisting you in improving your business and in turn the economy of our county."

Michael Tunney, CEO Donegal County Enterprise Board

The Main aims of the Donegal County Enterprise Board are:
• To act as the First Point of Contact for business information and advice in Donegal.
• To promote entrepreneurship and an enterprise culture within Donegal.
• To assist in the establishment and development of micro businesses in Donegal.

Domini Kemp speaks on Wednesday morning

Domini Kemp

Domini trained as a chef at Leith's in London before returning to co-writing New Irish Cooking and working in the Michelin-starred Peacock Alley. In 1999, along with her sister Peaches, she opened the hugely popular “itsa bagel” in Dublin. Since then they have grown the business to seven “itsa” stores and three “itsa” cafes, including itsa@IMMA, and The Tea Rooms in Dublin Castle. The sisters have expanded into other areas, including FEAST Catering, an outdoor catering and event management company, and they are resident wedding and corporate caterers in Powerscourt House. Domini is a food-writer for The Irish Times and last year published her third cookbook, "Domini at Home, How I like to cook". The sisters won the IMAGE “Businesswoman of the Year” award in November 2009 and were nominated as one of the Finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, in 2011.

Tara McCarthy, Director of Consumer Foods Division for Bordbia

Tara McCarthy

Tara is a Commerce graduate with a Masters in Marketing and now works as a Director of Consumer Foods Division for Bordbia. She spent 10 years overseas in Germany and then managing Bord Bia’s Paris office. Since her return to Ireland, Tara has led a number of key Bord Bia initiatives including Pathways for Growth, creating a business plan for the Irish food industry. She oversaw "Marketplace International", the largest ever new business development support programme for the Irish food industry – resulting in €30m in new business. Tar also led the team at Food Works, a partnership initiative with EI and Teagasc searching for the next generation of Irish food entrepreneurs. Tara’s team covers the fish, dairy, prepared foods, alcohol and small business sectors.

Sarah and her husband Sarajit run Aruna Sauces

Sarah Nic Lochlainn

Sarah met Sarajit Chanda in 1999 while both were working in Sydney. They married and moved to Dublin in 2001. In 2005 they opened award winning Fuchsia House Restaurant in Ardee. Ma Aruna’s Chicken Curry Aruna, soon emerged as the most popular dish on their menu and they started selling directly to the public in the restaurant and at farmers’ markets. In 2010 they won gold and bronze at the Blas na hEireann Awards. The Aruna range now consists of 8 traditional sauces.

Shane McGee, New Product Development at Errigal Seafoods

Shane McGee

Errigal Seafood has been a supplier of quality seafood to leading retail, wholesale, and food service businesses internationally for 50 years. The business is committed to research, development and innovation of operations, products, processes and service to clients. Shane joined the business as an International Culinary Enterprise graduate in 2009. With his culinary background he works within Errigal to develop new products and innovative processes. In 2012 Errigal Seafoods was awarded Seafood Exporter of the Year by the Irish Exporters’ Association.

John Fagan is the Senior Food Technologist at BIM and Teagasc

John Fagan

John Fagan is the Senior Food Technologist at BIM and Teagasc where his role is to ensure that small and medium Irish food businesses have access to world-class knowledge which can be transferred from research to reality. He works very closely with food businesses and specialises in new product development, innovative packaging, ingredients, shelf-life and processing technologies. He has a BSc Fisheries and a Masters in Seafood Science and is attached to the Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty. John has international links with experts in food technologies. He has helped numerous start-up and existing entrepreneurs with new and innovative ideas to differentiate their products whilst ensuring marketability, food safety and taste.

Here is the Full list of Events for the Enterprise Week which runs from Monday 4th to Friday 8th March 2013. All events are Free, but you must register to attend.

TIME	TOPIC DESCRIPTION	VENUE	REGISTER
Monday 4th March
9am - 12.30pm	Starting a Business A workshop facilitated by Gerry Moan and contributions from local entrepreneurs Michael Black, Optimal Fitness; Joseph Mangan, Mangan Tours; Mary Hannon, Hannon Green; Stephen Harris, Auto Fast Fit and Martin Hilferty, Orbit Security. All development agencies will be in attendance to provide advice.	Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny	Register for this event
12.30pm	Lunch
1.30pm - 2.30pm	Launch of Enterprising Donegal Business Week John Perry, TD, Minister for Small Business and Keynote Speaker Steve Redmond, Oceans7 Swimmer	Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny	Register for this event
7pm - 9pm	“Cash Is King - Managing Your Cash Flow” Making sure that your business has enough cash to survive. Cathal McLaughlin & Philip McGonigle, McLaughlin McGonigle, Chartered Certified Accountants	An Grianán Hotel, Burt	Register for this event
Tuesday 5th March
9am - 4.30pm	“Bringing Back the Buzz” Jack Black, MindStore.comLet Jack motivate and inspire you, and give you practical tools to ensure you rediscover the passion for your business, a refreshed vigour and determination to succeed. Light lunch served.	An Grianán Hotel, Burt	Register for this event
7pm - 9pm	“How to Use Social Media to Grow Your Business” Niall Mulrine, PC Clean. Registrations to Lbrogan@dldc.org	Finn Valley Athlethics Centre, Stranorlar	Register for this event
8pm - 10pm	Introduction to Donegal Engineering Group Confined to engineering businesses	Enterprise Board Offices, Letterkenny	Register for this event
Wednesday 6th March
11.30am - 12.30pm	Guest Lecture "Entrepreneurship Education" Professor Heidi Neck, Babson College, Massachusetts Registrations to info@co-lab.ie	CoLab, LYIT	Register for this event
12.30pm - 2pm	“How I Grew My Business” Business Lunch with Domini Kemp, Food writer and owner of itsa group of restaurants.	Station House Hotel, Letterkenny	Register for this event
6.30pm - 9.30pm	“Developing Your Food Business” Bord Bia’s Approach, Tara McCarthy, Director Food and Beverages DivisionCase study: Sarah Nic Lochlainn, Aruna Sauces New Product Development, John Fagan, Seafood Technologist, BIMCase study: Shane McGee, Errigal Seafood.	Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey	Register for this event
Thursday 7th March
9.30am - 1pm	“Inventors Workshop” Richard O’Connor, Cruickshank and Co, Intellectual Property Attorneys. An extended workshop for inventors, designers, and entrepreneurs to get world class professional Intellectual Property, Patent, Trade Marks and Designs advice from a leading Intellectual Property Attorney. The workshop will also include practical tips and advice sessions in these valuable assets by successful entrepreneurs.	CoLab, LYIT	Register for this event
2.30pm - 4.30pm	“Supports for Graduates Looking to Set Up Their Own Business” This event will be of interest to any student or recent graduate who would like to set up their own business. Outline of supports available to graduates, including New Frontiers programme and case studies from those who set up their own business in the areas of Computing, Design and Business. This will be followed by a tour of the CoLab facility. Registrations to info@co-lab.ie	CoLab, LYIT	Register for this event
7pm - 9pm	“Marketing on a Shoestring Budget” Using the right approach to marketing can mean great things for your business without costing a fortune. Nicola Lacey, Marketing Consultant & Lecturer	Enterprise Board Offices, Letterkenny	Register for this event
7.30pm - 9.30pm	"Deontaisí agus tacaíochtaí do ghónna san Ghaeltacht" "Grants and supports for businesses in the Gaeltacht" Daoine I láhair ó / Personnel present from Údarás na Gaeltachta, DLDC, Fáilte Ireland, WESTBIC, iFactory, Fusion agur rl. Teagmháil: Eunan Mac Cuinneagain 074 9738333 no ecunningham@westbic.ie	Aislann Cill Chartha, Cill Chartha, Kilcar	Register for this event
Friday 8th March
8.30am - 2pm	“Improving Your Business Through Team Development” Facilitated by Paul Hannigan - President of LYIT, Jim Mc Guinness - Donegal Football Manager, Brian Leslie - SeaQuest Systems, Ramona Nicholas - Cara Pharmacy	Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Donegal Town	Register for this event

For more information visit www.donegalenterprise.ie/

Zack

Vote for your Favourite Northern Ireland Food Producer & Restaurant

Have you got your favourite Food from Northern Ireland?

You are now being invited to have your say in this year's Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards which are taking place in March to celebrate the resilience and growth of the sector across the province. The awards, which are considered the most important awards in Northern Ireland's business calendar, honour the work of their home grown producers and celebrate the contribution which the agri-food industry plays in their economy.

This year, Food NI, the region's promotional voice for food and drink producers, are sponsoring two awards - The People's Choice Producers Award and Taste of Ulster Restaurant of the Year 2013.

For The People's Choice Producers Award, producers, from across Northern Ireland, have been asked to put forward the product which they feel deserves recognition and are now putting its fate in the hands of the public.

Independent inspectors for Food NI have been busy anonymously assessing Northern Ireland's top restaurants to score their food quality, use of local produce and standards of service. The top 22 Taste of Ulster Restaurants, selected from independent assessors scoring, will be nominated for the public vote via social media. The restaurant achieving the highest level of votes will win the Food NI Taste of Ulster Restaurant of the year award for 2013.

Michele Shirlow, chief executive of Food NI, said: "This is the 12th Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards and we are delighted to be sponsoring two categories. It has been great fun getting the nominations in. Food and drink producers play a massive role in our economy. We all love something nice to eat and drink and somewhere nice to dine out. But the public can now have their say on whether it's bread or butter, yoghurt or ice cream or burgers or steak or, indeed whatever, which tickles their fancy, by nominating online."

In Northern Ireland, over 100,000 private sector jobs depend on the success and continued growth of the agri-food sector which has an estimated turnover of £4billion.

To vote for your favourite Northern Ireland produce and restaurant visit www.nigoodfood.com. Voting is open from today, Monday February 25 until Friday March 8th.

Food NI provides a single promotional voice for Northern Ireland's food and drink. It works to enhance the reputation of Northern Ireland's food and drink through the Taste of Ulster and Northern Ireland- Good Food is in its nature messages. Food NI is a company limited by guarantee, formed voluntarily by a consortium of food sector representatives, to develop a positive identity for high quality food from Northern Ireland. The Board consists of representatives from across the entire supply chain.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE PRODUCERS AWARD

Local Northern Irish producers had the opportunity to nominate their products to be judged by consumers and here are the short-list in the Nominations. (Descriptions provided by producers)

Broughgammon Farm - Goat Burgers
"Broughgammon Farm is Northern Ireland's first commercial goat meat enterprise hand rearing male goats from the dairy industry to provide a deliciously mouth watering, sweeter and healthier alternative to lamb. Although new to the scene they have been quick off the mark and their burgers are simply to die for!"

Clandeboye Estate - Greek Style Yoghurt

"Clandeboye Estate are the only company making yoghurt in Northern Ireland. The process of making a true Greek Style yoghurt has not changed in hundreds of years; it involves straining natural yoghurt in cheese cloths to remove most of the whey to give a smooth, thick and creamy yoghurt. (Most others just add powder, cream or gelatine to thicken). As we have the best available ingredient which is milk from our own pedigree herd, we don't need to add anything else! "

Bailies Coffee - Fairtrade Espresso

"Roasted almonds, cream, butter, cocoa, wine, caramel and vanilla are some of the tastes and aromas to be enjoyed within this espresso. This coffee has good body, mild balanced acidity and a long creamy maple syrup finish. This blend has a small % robusta which produces a rich thick crema, and works especially well in cappuccinos and lattes. Bailies Coffee Company, based in Dargan Road, Belfast have been supplying FT espresso to over 300 Coffee shops in Northern Ireland and ROI for the last 19 years."

Dig In - Carrots and Parsnips 

"Dig In is a new brand created to give the customer confidence that the vegetables they are buying are Northern Irish - we promise that nothing other than our own locally grown carrots and parsnips will be sold as Dig In. We even put the area where they have been 'dug in' on the label - customers can then visit our website to find the spot! The packaging has been designed to show our commitment to local produce, and features our own NI logo to emphasise this."

Sunblest - Pancakes 

"We love our pancakes in Northern Ireland, but they are often overlooked as a local food hero. However we consume more pancakes than any other part of the UK and Ireland. Baking one million pancakes per week, Sunblest uses flour from our own mills and fresh Dale Farm buttermilk to achieve the fluffy texture that is adored by young and old alike."

Sunblest - Veda

"Once baked all over the UK, Northern Ireland remains the only place still baking Veda today. Sunblest Veda or the ‘yellow one’ as it has become known, is Northern Ireland’s favourite Veda and is baked using the same highly guarded recipe since 1956. Sunblest receives regular requests from as far as Australia for the iconic little loaf, with many describing the sweet maltiness as the ‘taste of home’."

Dromona - Butter

"Dromona Spreadeasy Butter is made using only the finest, freshest, locally sourced milk at our Dromona Creamery in Cullybackey. Did you know that Dromona Spreadeasy Butter is the Number 1 local butter brand- so if you choose Dromona as the People’s Choice you’ll be in great company!"

Mash Direct - Carrot and Parsnip 

"Mash Direct select old heritage varieties of carrots and parsnips for taste, grow fresh on the family farm in Comber, steam cook, gently mash and prepare. Two great root vegetables mashed together for fantastic flavour and texture. No artificial additives, preservatives or colourings. Gluten Free, Suitable for vegetarians."

Irwin's - Nutty Krust 

"Nutty Krust Batch Bread is what Irwin's is most famous for! The bread when it comes out of the oven is 'batched', hence the name, it takes a 6 hour baking process; from the mixing and fermenting of the dough to the baking and resting of the bread. Baked on the sole of the oven, giving the loaf a crunchy top and bottom crust with a soft white centre. It is this traditional method which gives Irwin's Nutty Krust that distinctive flavour. Irwin’s bake an average of 100,000 Nutty Krust loaves each week!"

Causeway Prime - Brooks Bistro Steak
"From the finest part of select prime rump of beef, cut and trimmed from the succulent rump heart. It can be served on its own, as part of a surf n turf dish or as the perfect steak sandwich paired with a nice Ciabatta or baguette."

Eleanor Crag's - Home Made Butter Fudge

"Our Homemade Butter Fudge has been in the family for many generations. It has never been altered from one generation to the next. I hold my family traditions very close to my heart and as a result I have found my crumbly textured fudge is enjoyed by everyone due to its distinct texture and taste."

Clements - Free Range Large Eggs

"Our free range eggs are laid by hens which are free to roam on our farm, and are fed on only the highest quality grain diet. This means Clements Eggs will always be of the highest quality every time you crack one open!"

Maddens Mellow - Armagh Cider

"Maddens Mellow Armagh Cider is a traditional, full flavoured refreshing cider made using apples grown in Co Armagh. It is produced exclusively from fresh pressed apple juice and contains no artificial ingredients. It is made using traditional, artisan methods, which means it’s bursting with delicious appley flavour!"

Broighter Gold - Rapeseed Oil

"We are an arable farm on the North Coast who farm 700 acres. We are passionate about our variety of rapeseed oil. We have just been awarded ‘Artisan at Work’ to open our farm up to the public. We want everyone to know that our rapeseed is actually grown here and not bought in."

Glastry Farm - Yellowman

"The Great Taste 2012 Judges comments in awarding, Double Gold to Glastry Farm Yellowman Honeycomb Ice-cream, "a beautiful smooth creamy ice-cream matched with a delicious honeyed yellowman inclusion". With this accolade we have our most popular flavour."

Tayto - Cheese and Onion
"This iconic Northern Irish delight has been produced at Tayto Castle in Tandragee since 1956. Best quality specially grown local potatoes combined with the top secret distinctive flavour makes Tayto Cheese& Onion Crisps part of every Northern Irish person’s heritage and is a Taste of Home whether near or far."

Roy Lyttle Ltd - Leeks
"Situated on the Ards Peninsula, on the shores of Strangford Lough with a relatively mild climate, we have been growing, preparing and packaging seasonal vegetables for over 25 years. Our organic and conventional leeks are available from August to May each year and are of the highest quality. Look out for the blue sticker to be sure that they have been 'Grown here, not Flown here!' Perfect for casseroles, pies and winter warming soups!"

Cloughbane Farm - Lasagne
"At Cloughbane we believe in the ethos of supporting our local farmers; which is why our lasagne is made with premium Northern Irish mince steak and cooked with fresh carrots, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, celery and smothered with our homemade white sauce, pasta and cheese to make a delicious meal."

Bella Jo - Relish
"The Bella Jo Relish is becoming a household favourite across Ireland. All handmade along the Antrim coast with the finest ingredients of vine ripened tomatoes, onions and chillies."

Hughes Mushrooms
"Being so hot & tasty, Filled Full Of mushrooms go with pretty much anything, but we find they go particularly well with a nice crunchy salads."

Suki Tea
"A proper ‘Big Leaf, Big Flavour’ cup of tea. The schooling and health care of the families who pick this are supported every bag you buy & every cup you drink. It’s Rainforest Alliance certificate means the environment and wildlife of the area are also looked after. Tea as it should be." 

Heavenly Tasty Organics Stage 1 Purees
"Heavenly Tasty Organics stage 1 purees are 100 organic, dairy free and gluten free. They are portion controlled, and come in a handy little tray with 4 heart shaped cavities per tray. Parents simply pop out what they need with no wastage of product. Convenience without the guilt."

Nominated Restaurants for the FoodNI

Taste of Ulster Restaurant of the Year Award 2013

These Top 22 Taste of Ulster Restaurants, selected from independent assessors scoring, have been nominated for the public vote via social media. The comments made by the assessors show just how much they enjoyed the restaurants, their ambiance and their locally sourced food.

To vote for your favourite Northern Ireland produce and restaurant visit www.nigoodfood.com. Voting is open from today, Monday February 25 until Friday March 8th.

The restaurant achieving the highest level of online votes will win the Food NI Taste of Ulster Restaurant of the Year Award 2013.

The Yellow Door Deli - Portadown
"From truly scrumptious breads and cakes to sublime salads and heavenly hot dishesIt’s a real community café with customers coming from all arts and parts. They smoke and cure their own meat, fish and game. Last time we were there we pigged out on Tuscan bean stew and mojito cheesecake , but there’s no point telling you to have that since their menu changes daily".

The Cuan - Strangford
"Our seafood platter is a prime example of how our local produce should be served. Pure, simple, not mucked about with. Owner and head chef Peter McErlean really knows how to get hold of, and cook the good stuff. Loin of cod from the Shetland Islands, lambs liver from Bells of Crossgar and Gloucester Old Spot pork."

The Londonderry Arms - Carnlough
"Chef Manus Jamison designs menus that reflect the specialities of the Glens of Antrim. There’s wild salmon, lamb from the Antrim Hills and locally produced vegetables. The homemade wheaten bread and tasty scones are among the best we have ever tasted."

The Mitre Restaurant at The Culloden Estate and Spa - Holywood
"Stand-out local produce like pigeon from the Clandeboye Estate just up the road served with beetroot and orange salad and a walnut vinaigrette? Or local Aberdeen Angus fillet steak paired with Asian flavourings?But five star doesn’t mean snooty. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. They do a great casual menu. We’re torn between the Belfast omelette and the Irish stew served with a traditional soda farl."

Del Toro - Lisburn
"The steak in this place is cossetted beyond belief, that’s why it tastes so fantastic, But it’s not all bull here. Anton Campbell is a passionate advocate of using local, seasonal ingredients. There’ll be a very decent fish dish on too, (we had the turbot with surf clams) and the ribs are another must-try."

Ballyrobin Country House - Crumlin
"Near the international airport, it’s worth the trip in its own right. Good gastro-pub style nosh. The head chef was trained in France, so expect lots of continental touches like sautéed foie gras with pickled walnuts and sous vide of pig’s cheek."

Browns Restaurant - Derry/Londonderry
"The food is sublime. Ian has worked at the River Café in London and in Shanks with the late great Robbie Millar. Who wouldn’t love his ravioli stuffed with Portavogie prawns, lemon and ginger followed by 24 hour cooked shoulder of Lough Erne lamb. Both of these courses cost less than £22 and at dinner time too! Such good value for money."

Carriages - Larne
"Like all the cool places these days, they have their own restaurant garden. The team of chefs cure their own bacon on the premises, age their own steaks and make their own corned beef and sausages. Customers love the train carriage seats too."

Denvirs Hotel - Downpatrick
"There’s a long, long history of sheltering travellers here. That tradition of hospitality has obviously seeped into the very walls. Try the Fivemiletown Ryefield goat’s cheese tart or the Boiled Belfast ham with champ. The fish is from Walter Ewing and the game is from Baronscourt Estate. Where else can you eat pheasant three ways for just £10.95?"

Dufferin Coaching Inn - Killyleagh
"They don’t believe in small portions in this neck of the woods. Breakfast, Killyleagh style involves fluffy Tatty Bread rounds and soda bread fingers, sausages from the local award-winning butcher. The eggs are from chickens that are free to roam, they’re perfect with local smoked salmon, lemon and herbs."

Katch 27 - Kircubbin
"This cosy 27 seater place is a café by day and a restaurant by night. Breakfasts are superb. Lunch options include pies, lasagne, wraps, burgers and baguettes. The weekend evening menu changes according to the fisherman's catch. It’s not all about fish, though. You can nosh on Northern Irish sirloin of beef and saddleback honey glazed pork."

La Scala Bistro at The Stormont Hotel - Belfast
"Don’t think bistro means beef stroganoff and chequered tablecloths. This place is all clean lines and perfectly executed dishes crammed with prime local ingredients like Moyallon Sweet Cure bacon chop and Carnbrooke Dexter beef."

Malmaison - Belfast
"It’s French style but using the absolute best homegrown produce. Start with the closest thing to wild salmon from the Belverly Smokeries or some of the superbly flavoursome wild boar sausages from Jilly Dougan. They also source duck and Finnebrogue venison locally. The meat comes from Peter Hannan and the fish from Walter Ewing."

Nick's Warehouse - Belfast
"Nick Price never lets you down. Quite simply we have never had a bad meal here. You can eat around the world but always with the best local produce available.. The super salad and cold collations are particular lunch favourites, but so too is the Edible Garden."

Roe Park Resort - Derry/Londonderry
"The multi-award winning Green’s Restaurant is where you will get starters like duck terrine and baked goats cheese. The mains are melodies of like minded flavours and contrasting textures. Don’t you just love the sound of salmon with a spring onion and chorizo orzo pasta with a saffron cream?"

The Garden Restaurant at The Ballygally Castle - Ballygally
"Set within the original 17th Century walls, The Garden Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Feast on seafood chowder, daube of beef from the Glenarm estate or a Moyallon Sweetcure Bacon chop. And you must try the Causeway chips. They’re shaped like the stones at the Giant’s Causeway! Sunday lunch is served in the magnificent River Room and the afternoon tea is a real treat."

The Burrendale Hotel - Newcastle
"The Cottage Kitchen serves soup in a rustic bap and they smoke their own chicken for the Caesar salad. Head Chef Ciaran Sansome has really gone to town on the menu in the Vine Restaurant There’s confit of Lissara duck and local hake with Kilkeel prawns, but the menu is changed according to the seasons- as it should be!"

Bushmills Inn Hotel - Bushmills
"The traditional 17th century building might take you back in time, but the food is bang up to date. Their style is Irish with an international twist. We can’t resist the pan-fried fillet of beef flamed with the local whiskey."

Groucho's Café Bar - Richhill
"There’s a good mix of the modern and traditional with dishes like steak burger, chips and fried onions and chicken and chorizo tagliatelle. The honey and the bread are from the village and the hedgerows, woodlands and herb garden also contribute to the larder. Head chef Mervyn Steenson says he’s a "back to basics" kind of guy. As much of the food as possible is cooked from scratch."

Oyster's Restaurant - Strabane
"Anywhere that serves bacon and cabbage with parsley sauce gets top marks from us. The pork plate is a great idea. You get the belly, fillet & loin, served with apple puree, apple crisp & cider sauce. Very Michelinesque."

The Brewer's House - Donaghmore
"There is an honest commitment to serving local produce. The beef comes from a farm - less than 5 miles away, the eggs less than 4 miles away. Game is from the surrounding areas and the fish is stiff fresh from the sea. You will often see head chef Brian McMonagle up and about on a Sunday morning foraging. The breads are baked on site as are all of the desserts. We salute you!"

Wildfowler Inn - Greyabbey
"A Greyabbey gem .. Meat and game are their specialities, and with such fantastic produce on their doorstep, it’s a no-brainer. The local village butcher provides the burgers which are served with a homemade relish. They don’t ignore the water though. Strangford Lough mussels and Irish Sea prawns arrive daily from the nearby fishing ports. We love how the mussels are done in a broth."

To vote for your favourite Northern Ireland produce and restaurant visit www.nigoodfood.com. Voting is open from today, Monday February 25 until Friday March 8th.

Zack

Finalists Announced for 2013 All-Ireland Knorr Student Chef Competition

Fourteen of Ireland’s most-talented and gifted student Chefs have won their place in the finals of the 2013 All-Ireland Knorr Student Chef of the Year competition. 

Representing culinary colleges and institutes from across Ireland and for the first time, Northern Ireland, the student chef finalists will travel to IT Tralee on Wednesday, 27th February to battle it out for the title of ‘Best Student Chef’ in Ireland’s premier student chef competition.

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Seductive Nutrition’ to coincide with the recent launch of Unilever Food Solutions’ third World Menu Report which calls on chefs to reduce the calories of their dishes without compromising on taste to help combat the global and national obesity crisis. 

Judges TJ O'Connor, Martin Shanahan & Mark McCarthy

Rather than creating a new ‘healthy’ dish, students have been challenged to take a popular dish and give it a healthy twist all under the watchful eye of the judging panel: Mark McCarthy, Business Development Chef at Unilever Food Solutions, TV chef Martin Shanahan of Fishy Fishy restaurant in Cork, TJ O’Connor, Head of Section, Hotel, Culinary and Tourism Department at IT Tralee and, just announced, celebrity dietician, Paula Mee.

Now in its 16th year, the Knorr Student Chef of the Year competition is a respected and keenly-fought competition in the Irish culinary calendar, with previous winners going on to enjoy exciting careers in the food-service industry both at home and abroad. 

Part of the Overall winner's prize is a master-class & a meal in  a 3-Star Michelin Restaurant

For this year’s fourteen hopefuls, a win not only means the title of ‘Best Student Chef in Ireland’, it also means a fantastic grand prize of a culinary adventure in Girona, Spain, where the lucky student will take part in an exclusive Catalan cooking masterclass and will dine in style at the 3-Star Michelin restaurant El Cellar De Can Roca, voted the second best restaurant in the world! 

The finalist must prepare a fish dish as a starter

On the day of the final, the finalists will be asked to create a starter and main course using Knorr Bouillon and at least two other products from the Knorr ingredient portfolio. The starter must be fish-based to complement the skills and interests of guest judge Martin Shanahan. Students will also be asked to submit their menu in advance to be nutritionally analysed ahead of the final cook-off, and will be encouraged to use Unilever Food Solutions’ new calorie calculator (available free on the Unilever Food Solutions’ website, www.unileverfoodsolutions.ie) to analyse the calorie content of their dishes. 

Students will be evaluated on their creativity, practicality and effective use of Knorr products, as well as their chef skills, the composition of their dishes and overall presentation. The finalists will also be asked to explain to the judges the personal influence behind each of their dishes. Points will be awarded for how students express themselves through their menu, as well as for how tasty and attractive the dishes sound.

Previous winners going on to enjoy exciting careers in the international food-service industry

Looking forward to this year’s final, Mark McCarthy, Business Development Chef and head of the judging panel said: “Knorr Student Chef is a brilliant opportunity for talented amateur cooks to showcase their cooking skills and demonstrate their innate culinary creativity in front of leading food professionals. By challenging students to give popular dishes a healthy twist, we feel this year’s theme is particularly relevant. I’m also excited to open up the competition to Northern Ireland for the first time and I’m really looking forward to seeing the creativity and skill in the next generation of Ireland’s master chefs.”

Knorr 2013 Student Chef of the Year Finalists: 

Gerard Phelan, Waterford Institute of Technology.
Ethna Reynolds, Letterkenny IT, Donegal.
Eugene Corbette, Limerick IT.
Jack O Keeffe, Cork Institute of Technology.
Stephen Griffin, IT Tralee, Co Kerry.
Connor Roben, Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street.
Jane Peaker, North West Regional, Co Derry.
Seamus O’Brien, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Co Louth.
James Gumley, Athlone Institute of Technology, Co Westmeath.
Tyler Greer, Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast.
William Dawson, South Eastern Regional College, Bangor, Co Down.
Kevin Farren, Northern Regional College, Co Antrim.
Matthew Kennedy, Southern Regional College, Portadown, Co Down.
Martin Carroll, Southern Regional College, Newry, Co Down.

The Knorr Student Chef of the Year Award Final cook-off will take place in IT Tralee’s Catering, Hospitality and Tourism building in the North Campus on Wednesday, 27th February 2013. 

For more information, see http://www.unileverfoodsolutions.ie/promotions/knorrstudentchef 

Congrats to all the finalists and a special 'Good Luck' to fellow Donegal chef Ethna Reynolds!

Zack