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Guest Chef - James Richardson, owner and chef at Old Barn Steakhouse, in County Armagh

James Richardson is the owner/chef at Old Barn Steakhouse, in County Armagh and has recently won the Ulster Tatler Chef of the Year 2012. He began his culinary career at Newry and Kilkeel Centre of Excellence, where part of his work experience was a stint in the kitchen at Claridges, the famous 5 star London landmark hotel. 


James has cooked with some of the best in the business including Ainsley Harriott, Paul Rankin, Nevin Maguire and also spent some time at Rick Stein's Seafood School. He cooks using only the freshest of ingredients and says his motto is simply “Good, honest food”. You can follow James on Twitter at @oldbarn_mhill.

James Richardson, owner and chef at Old Barn Steakhouse, in County Armagh
James's Japanese Miso style Steak 
"This is a healthy, low calorie, and delicious steak recipe that is easy to make and really tasty. I have worked out that the approximate nutritional information is as follows: 
232 kcalories, protein 32g, carbohydrate 4g, fat 9 g, saturated fat 4g, fibre 0g, sugar 3g, salt 0.66 g."

Ingredients
2 tbsp brown Miso paste
1 tbsp dry sherry or sake
1 tbsp caster sugar
2 crushed garlic cloves
300g/11oz lean steak
Baby spinach , sliced cucumber, celery, radish and toasted sesame seeds.

Method 
1. Tip the miso paste, Sherry or sake, sugar and garlic into a seal-able food bag. Season with a generous grinding of black pepper, then squash it all together until completely mixed. 
2. Add the steak, gently massage the marinade into the steak until completely coated, then seal the bag. Pop the bag into the fridge and leave for at least 1 hour, but up to 2 days is fine.
3. To cook, heat a heavy-based frying pan, griddle pan or barbecue until very hot. Wipe the excess marinade off the steak, then sear for 3 mins on each side for medium-rare or a few mins longer if you prefer the meat more cooked. Set aside for 1 minute to rest. 
4. Carve the beef into thick slices and serve with a crunchy salad made with the spinach, cucumber, celery, radish and sesame seeds.

The Old Barn Steakhouse and Grill is located at: 
5 Mowhan Road, Markethill County, Armagh, BT60 1RQ, Northern Ireland.
Check out their website at http://www.oldbarnsteakhouse.com/main/

Miso paste is a thick paste used in Japanese sauces and for marinading vegetables or meats. It is made from soybeans which have been fermented with salt and a fungus called kōjikin, a mould which is used to make the Japanese drink Sake. If you can't get your hands on miso, you can make a rough substitute by mixing some soy sauce with tomato puree and tomato ketchup.

If you would like to Feature your Chef in the Guest Chef's Recipes Section send some bio details and your recipe to me at:

Zack


Winners of the Georgina Campbell Awards for 2013

Since its inception in 1997, the editorial position at Georgina Campbell Guides has always been fiercely proud of it's independent and no payment is received for their recommendations. They insist that "independence is at the core of our philosophy and we have always selected establishments for recommendation on merit alone."


Their annual assessment process is based on the principle of the ‘mystery shopper’, so their team make anonymous visits to restaurants, hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, cafes and other hospitality-providers and report back "without fear or favour". Their annual Awards are therefore coveted by those who receive them.

The Restaurant Of The Year went to The Greenhouse, Dublin 2, Co Dublin
Hotel Of The Year went to the Granville Hotel, Waterford City, Co Waterford
Chef Of The Year went to Chef Ian Orr, at Browns Restaurant, Derry City, Co Derry.

The 2013 Awards ceremony, which took place in Dublin today 
and the following received Awards:


B&B Irish Breakfast Award  - Archways B&B, Rosslare Strand, Co Wexford
Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Of The Year  - Archways B&B, Rosslare Strand, Co Wexford


Guesthouse Irish Breakfast Award  - Quay House B&B, Clifden, Co Galway


Hotel Irish Breakfast Winner  - Dunraven Arms, Adare, Co. Limerick
National Irish Breakfast Winner  - Dunraven Arms, Adare, Co Limerick


Farmhouse Of The Year  - Annaharvey Farm, Tullamore, Co Offally


Guesthouse Of The Year  - Drumcreehy House, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare


Country House Of The Year - Carrig Country House & Restaurant, Caragh Lake, Co Kerry


Natural Food Award of the Year - Glenilen Farm Dairy Products, Drimoleague, West Cork


Café Of The Year - The Wooden Spoon,  Killaloe, Co Clare


Ethnic Restaurant Of The Year - Michie Sushi, Dublin 6 


Atmospheric Restaurant Of The Year - West End House, Killarney 


Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year - The Beach House, Buncrana, Co. Donegal


Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year - Cromleach Lodge, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo


Hideaway Of The YearMoy House, Lahinch, Co Clare


Family Friendly Hotel Of The Year - Hotel Westport, Newport Road, Westport, Co May


Newcomer Of The Year - East Cafe Bar,  Howth, Co Dublin


Pub Of The Year - Nancys Bar,  Ardara, Co Donegal


Wine Award Of The Year  - O'Brien Chophouse, Lismore, Co Waterford


Hosts Of The Year  - The Quay House, Clifden, Co Galway


Business Hotel Of The Year - River Lee Hotel, Cork City, Cork


Seafood Restaurant Of The Year 2013 sponsored by BIM - The Oarhouse, Howth, Co Dublin


Seafood Chef Of The Year 2013 sponsored by BIM - 
Billy Whitty, Aldridge Lodge, Duncannon, Co Wexfod 


'Just Ask' Restaurant of the Year 2013 
sponsored by Bord Bia -  Ardbia Restaurant, Galway City


The Georgina Campbell Chef Of The Year
Ian Orr, at Browns Restaurant, Derry City, Co Derry


The Georgina Campbell Restaurant Of The Year - The Greenhouse, Dublin 2, Co Dublin


The Georgina Campbell Hotel Of The Year - Granville Hotel, Waterford City, Co Waterford 

The Georgina Campbell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Hospitality 
went to Eileen Dunne & Stefano Crescenzi for their long-time contribution to the Irish hospitality industry through their Dunne and Crescenzi restaurants.



Thanks to Bob and all at @IrelandGuide who were tweeting the results Live from the Awards today. I have made all the links to the winners connect back to relevant information on the Georgina Campbell website.

Zack

Start Your Own Artisan Food Production Business in Donegal

In line with the recently launched Donegal Food Strategy, Donegal County Enterprise Board plans to run a 10 week programme on Starting Your Own Artisan Food Production Business, beginning in November. As part of their recruitment process they are holding Information Road Shows over the next two weeks at 3 locations across County Donegal.


The Donegal Food Strategy sets outs an ambitious vision for food within Donegal and seeks to make Donegal a county famous for food and recognised as a pioneering region for its approach to fostering and growing new and existing food businesses. This new Programme is aimed at People who are thinking of starting their own artisan / food production business or in the early stages of start-up.

A study by the New Economics Foundation in London found that every €10 spent with a local food business is worth €25 to the local economy which further supports the rationale for creating a vibrant local food economy. A Taste Council of Ireland Report suggests that during the next 10 years, 650 new food entrepreneurs could be established resulting in the creation of 6,500 new jobs.

Donegal Chef Gary O'Hanlon is County Donegal's Food Ambassador
Gary O'Hanlon, Executive Chef at Viewmount House is now filling the role as Food Ambassador for the Donegal Food Strategy and he emphasises the importance and opportunities there are in sourcing and using local quality produce.

On successful completion of the programme participants should have a sound knowledge of the rudiments of food business start-up, including food safety and food technology and be in a position to go about their start-up in an effective way. Participants will hear about the structure of the programme from the trainers as well as the experiences of local artisan food businesses.


The Content of the Programme includes:

Workshop 1: Selecting and Researching Ideas

Workshop 2: New Product Development

Workshop 3: Legislation and Food Safety

Workshop 4: Food Technology

Workshop 5: Marketing and Branding

Workshop 6: Sales Growth

Workshop 7: Effective Food Packaging

Workshop 8: Product Costing, Pricing & Finance

Workshop 9: Food Distribution

Workshop 10: Business and Marketing Plan

In addition to the workshop element of the programme each participant will receive up to ten hours of one-to-one mentoring delivered in 2 hour sessions. It is intended that the programme will be delivered one evening a week for ten consecutive weeks with a total workshop time of 30 hours.


Support
Where appropriate, participants on the programme will be able to apply for a range of Donegal County Enterprise Board supports in areas such as food safety, food technology, shelf life optimisation, product packaging and food labelling to assist them with the commercial realisation of their products. 

Cost & Contact Details
The Start Your Own Artisan Food Production Business Programme begins in November 2012 & the Cost is €120 which is also payable in instalments.

The Information Road Shows will be held at:
Letterkenny, Donegal County Enterprise Offices on Wednesday 17th Oct at 7pm
Donegal Town, Enterprise Centre on Thursday 18th Oct at 7pm
Moville, Community Chef Premises on Tuesday 23rd Oct at 7pm


To register or for further information phone 074 9160735
Or email Mairead at mmcmullin@donegalenterprise.ie

Una's Gourmet Pies Win Supreme Champion at Blas na hEireann Food Awards

The Blás na hÉireann National Irish Food Awards again took place during the 2012 Dingle Food Festival over the weekend.


The Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards are now considered to be the ultimate benchmark of quality Irish produce, from the whole island of Ireland, north and south. Each category receives a gold, silver and bronze medal winner. In addition, there is a Supreme Champion, a Best of Gaeltacht winner and a Best Irish Artisan producer.


A group of Irish food producers and grocers started the Blas na hÉireann National Irish Food Awards, in 2008,to bring increased attention to the high quality of Irish foods, to overseas markets but especially to the Irish public. The judges look for extra special products that are made using top quality Irish ingredients, by passionate and talented producers.


The Supreme Champion 2012 at this years events was Una's Pies Chicken Leek and Cheese Pie. Una's Pies was founded by Una Martin from Ballincollig, Co. Cork. Una makes a range of savoury pies in a pastry crust and has been a rising start in the south-west selling her pies at farmers markets, fairs & food festivals. She won the Best Artisan Producer Award at the 2011 Blas na hEireann event.

Una Martin, of Una's Pies, with her Award Winning products
Una won Gold for her Chicken, Leek and Cheese Pie - Silver for Roast Veg, Ardsallagh Goats Cheese and Gubbeen Chorizo Pie and Bronze for her Thai Green Chicken Curry Pie in the 2012 Blas na hEireann Irish Foods Awards as well as Best in Farmers Market


Una's Pies are available at Mahon Point Farmers Market this Thursdays, Douglas Farmers Market and Midleton Farmers Market on Saturdays.


Other Special Awards were presented to:
Best Artisan Producer
Big Red Kitchen
Best New Product
Ballymooney Foods Rack of Wild Venison
Best Export Achievement
Hannans Meats
Best Emerging Kerry Producer
Sasta Sausages
AIB Business Diversification Award
Carrygerry House
Most Innovative Product
Gallaghers Bakery Plain Soda Bread
Rogha na Gaeltacht
Breizon Teo - Atlantis Seafood Surf N Turf-Smoked Scallops and Black Pudding


The Full list of Blas na hEireann Award Winners can be seen on their website HERE

Zack

Some details about the Food Blog Finalists in the Blog Awards Ireland 2012

The Blog Awards Ireland 2012 Finalists List was published last night and the Irish foodie Twitasphere lit up with excitement as folks realised that they had made it into the finals of the different categories. See the Blog Awards Ireland hashtag #BlogFestIRL for more on that!


I was nominated and shortlisted too and thanks to all of you who put my Irish Food Guide blog forward for nomination. Alas, no such luck for me this year but there is plenty of time for more!

So here is a little background information on the lucky seven Irish Food Bloggers, who love to write about Food in Ireland and have made it to the Finalist's List for the best Food/Drink Blog sponsored by Glenisk.


Edible Ireland 
Kristin Jensen



Kristin Jensen, @edibleireland on Twitter, "explores the vibrant food scene here in Ireland, the people who grow it, produce it, cook it, serve it, sell it and champion it – and tells the stories behind the country’s food and artisan producers". She is a freelance editor specialising in editing cookbooks and food books. Kristin also blogs her favourite recipes for busy cooks and families at Dinner du Jour and co-founded the Irish Food Bloggers Association.


John Ferris


John Ferris, @FoodBelfast on Twitter, has worked in the newspaper industry at the Belfast Media Group since 1998 and has been a food blogger and newsprint restaurant critic since 2006, writing more than 1,000 food and drink articles – reviewing hundreds of local restaurants as well as some of the world’s best. John writes restaurant reviews for the Belfast Media Group and is also a regular contributor on the Carolyn Stewart Lunchtime Bistro show on U105 as well as writing chef profiles for Hospitality Review NI.



Donal Skehan


Donal Skehan, @DonalSkehan on Twitter, is a 25 year old home cook, food writer and Television presenter who has written three cookbooks: Good Mood Food, Kitchen Hero: Bringing Cooking Back Home and Kitchen Hero: Great Food For Less. Donal has had a meteoric rise to foodie stardom in the last few years since he started his GoodMoodFood Blog in 2007 - it is now incorporated into the DonalSkehan.com website. He photographs all his own food images for his blog and books and also had two Irish number one singles with his band "Industry".


Móna Wise


Móna Wise, @WiseMona on Twitter, is the author of "The Chef & I: A Nourishing Narrative" and a food columnist with the Sunday Times. She is just completing a four year (BA-Connect Degree) course at NUIG studying German, English Literature with a specialism in Creative Writing. Her blog is a personal account of living, writing, cooking and working from home with her kids and husband Ken (The Chef). The couple "share the same parenting ethos and are raising their family one plate at a time growing and cooking wholesome, local, fresh and organic food".


Adrienne Houghton


Adrienne Houghton, @BfortheBorder on Twitter, has only been writing this great baking blog since June 2011 but her cheery style of writing, stirred in with her easy to follow recipes and wonderful photography, have given her Food Blog a large following online. Adrienne cooks, styles and photographs all the food herself with a little help from her part-time photographer husband Greig. I would be expecting a few publishers to be knocking on her door very soon with a few Cookery Book offers!



Rosanne Hewitt-Cromwell


Rosanne Hewitt-Cromwell, @likemamuse2bake on Twitter, loves to bake - it's as simple as that! On her blog she chart her trials, tribulations and triumphs as she embarks on a journey into the world of new recipes and the adaptation of old ones. She has been writing her blog since September 2009 and each recipe has it's own story. Her love of baking stems from watching, as a little girl, her Mam bake wonderful cakes and treats for her daughters in their home kitchen and she shares them all with a passion!


Nessa Robins


Nessa Robins, @Nessa_Robins on Twitter, started her Food Blog in January 2010 to coincide with cookery classes she was teaching from her home. She cooks, styles and photographs all the food for her blog and won Best Newcomer Blog 2011 in the Irish Blog Awards. Nessa writes a column for the Westmeath Independent, is the 'Family Food Expert' with Irish parenting magazine Easy Parenting and contributes to Eumom.ie.


The Full List of Finalists in all the 28 Categories can be seen HERE on the Blog Awards Ireland's website

The Blog Awards Ireland 2012 ceremony takes place in the Osprey Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare on Saturday, 13 October 2012 at 7pm. There are still Tickets available and you can buy them HERE.


UPDATE - Saturday 13th October - Blog Awards D-Day and the Best Food & Drink Blog went to... Mona Wise of WiseWords.ie

Emma Walls of Glenisk with Mona Wise  - pic: siliconrepublic.com

Zack

The Michelin Star Winners for 2013 in Ireland

The Michelin Guide 2013 for UK and Ireland has been released amid a little confusion as their website released the results a little ahead of schedule and for a period of 2 hours, two new Irish additions were unsure if they had actually been given the prestigious "Star" Status! (New additions Update at end of post).



The two Irish restaurants are Galway’s Aniar and Dublin’s Locks Brasserie. The prestigious award is given to restaurants of extremely high quality and is a mark of a top-class, quality food and dining experience.

The list of Irish restaurants with a Michelin Star is:

Locks Brasserie, Protobello, Dublin - a new addition this year

Aniar, Dominick Street, Galway - a new addition this year

House Restaurant, at the Cliff House Hotel Ardmore

Chapter One Dublin

L’Ecrivain Dublin

Thornton’s at The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin

Bon Appétit Malahide



The only restaurant in Ireland with 2 Stars is still Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin


The Michelin Great Britain & Ireland 2013 guide will be available in bookshops from 5 October at a price of €18.99.


Update
The Michelin Guide 2014 has added Campagne in Kilkenny and The Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny to the list of Irish restaurants with 1 Star each.

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