Good Food Ireland Conference. And Awards

Good Food Ireland Conference
And Awards

Pádraig Ó’Céidigh

Didn't expect a clinical psychologist to be the star speaker at the annual Good Food Ireland conference in the Shelbourne Hotel (Dublin) yesterday. But that psychologist was Dr Maureen Gaffney and she took the room by storm as she looked at the Feel Good Factor.

Must admit I’m one of those people who just love to see a smile. Maureen says smiles “are all important”. “People are ready to co-operate with you..work on it.. smiles help to form that very important first impression. We all have bad days .. act positively especially when things are bad.” She said there is  evidence that shows that smiling even helps the smiler. “It triggers (even fools) your brain”.

And she also pointed out that a negative mood in the team leader can have a negative influence on the staff, your staff. This is a “high risk” to business. So learn to smile. Cheese!

“Get your self right..then you'll get a whole lot more right. Learn, achieve, grow. Vision is vitally important, start with your vision. Values are really important, not just accessories...There is evidence that people driven by a higher set of values do better.”

Maureen Gaffney (left) and Xanthe Clay

Set challenges, she urged. “Keep learning, growing, have projects, invest time and effort in them. And connect! Not just on digital platforms but also in the real world, family, friends, clubmates. These real connections will provide “personal experience and insight, contextual information, personal recommendations”.

So get social,and get connected, she urged. And she ended with a reminder about that smile. “Nurture your optimism!”

Xanthe Clay, author and journalist, spoke on the fickle British market, especially the fickle press. One day they headline that coffee is good for you, a week later they say it is bad for you. She urged irish producers to give value for money and highlighted the importance of trust (especially after the rocky year that saw the horse meat scandal gallop across the headlines). “Be open, she said. “Show people what you do. If you do add an additive to your food, list it, explain it.” Much better than your customers ambushed by the news in the press later on.

Asked what were the outstanding Irish qualities, she didn't hesitate: “Tradition, warmth, quality. These never go out of fashion.”

Coming into fashion is Origin Green, Bord Bia’s new programme to enhance and promote sustainability and explained on stage by Una Fitzgibbon. This was quite a sombre presentation, no jokes here. Great to see producers such as the Apple Farm’s Con Traas and Stonewell Cider’s Daniel Emerson being very enthusiastic about it on a short film. “This is a big deal,”said conference chair Darragh McCullough. “Only going to get bigger.”

Margot Slattery of Sodexo started with some very impressive numbers: purchases of some 18 million euro in Ireland every year. 420,000 employees worldwide and growing. “We stand for sustainability and fresh food” as client companies are looking for healthy weight and healthy life for their employees. Sodexo run gyms, even detox programmes.

Siobhain from Kalbo's and Yours Truly

Margot said they feed 50,000 a day in ireland. “Not frozen food, these are cooked, from scratch, on a daily basis.”

Just before a break for lunch, there was a panel discussion on Digital Marketing and two bits of advice emerged, at least two that I noted. Check out the recent changes in YouTube as they make it more interesting to business. And also have a look at Vine for short video promotions.

If Maureen Gaffney was the morning star then Pádraig Ó’Céidigh caught the attention in the afternoon. The founder of Aer Arann took us on a flight. He started in the Comfort Zone, then challenged us to enter the Stretch Zone before warning us about the perils of the Danger Zone (here, you can damage yourself, he reported, from experience).

Kevin and Réidín from Sage

Citing the small beginnings of what is now the Kerry group in 1972 and the choice made by Clonakilty Black Pudding’s Colette Twomey to run the company after the death of her husband as examples of leaving the comfort zone.

And Padraig is optimistic right now. “This is a great time to be an entrepreneur. There is great optimism out there, great opportunities. Time to leave the comfort zone.”

“There have never been such a demand for good quality food. Be solid on your own two feet, use what’s between your ears. No reason why we can't have another Kerry.”

The world will go on with you or without you. Make sure it’s with you. Believe it and go for it. Never forget your roots and use that little bit of Gaeilge!”

An afternoon panel discussion on our food future produced some interesting points. Martin Shanahan thought too much of our fish is being exported. Country Choice’s Peter Ward urged the industry to be creative, to re-invent our own Irish produce. Chapter One’s Ross Lewis says he sees confidence building in young Irish chefs, “not necessarily mimicking foreign chefs.The industry has changed more in the last three years than in the previous thirty.”

Minister for Tourism Alan Varadkar launched the Good Food Ireland prepaid MasterCard, a food travel passport for visitors to the county’s producers, shops and restaurants and said he was encouraged by progress in tourism numbers this year and employment growth in the industry. He lauded the “great decision” by government colleagues to retain the 9% VAT and acknowledged that lobbying had had its effect and confirmed that there were no plans to increase the rate in the future. We are very much in recovery mode.”

The delegates assembled in the same room for a cracking dinner in the evening. Skeaghanore Duck and Clare Island salmon were the centrepieces, all washed down by superb wines from Classic Drinks.

The awards were announced as the desserts were being served and the large Cork contingent had plenty to cheer about with Midleton's Sage Restaurant, URRU Culinary Store in Bandon, MIlleens Cheese, Kalbo’s Cafe in Skibbereen and Kinsale’s Fishy Fishy all winning their categories.

One of the loudest cheers of the night went to Ballymaloe’s Rory O'Connell who was declared Ambassador of the Year, mainly for his part in feeding, at short notice, 10,000 delegates at the recent Web Summit. Mount Juliet won three awards including the Supreme Award and Restaurant of the Year Award.

All the awards were presented by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny who smilingly indicated there were three women he must listen to: Mrs Kenny, Angela Merkel and Margaret Jeffares (the dynamo behind Good Food Ireland).

Good Food Ireland pop-up; Dublin Gourmet Stroll

Experience GOOD FOOD IRELAND Pop up at Kildare Village Summer time Festival

For the second year the Good Food Ireland Pop-up will be at Kildare Village for the designer outlet shopping village’s Chic Summer Festival. The Good Food Ireland pop-up will showcase the very best of high quality, Irish-produced food with Irish ingredients. You will be able to dine around Ireland in one location by enjoying delicious food from Good Food Ireland-approved providers every weekend from 7th July to 19th August.

This is a rare opportunity to meet the people behind the food from the cheese maker to the chef, to the sausage maker to the restaurateur while enjoying at the same time the best of designer shopping. Dishes will range from Prime Hereford Steak Ciabatta, Artisan Sausages, and Warm Bacon Blaas as well as lots more sumptuous treats!

“The Good Food Ireland Pop Up is an amazing experience for Shoppers, the opportunity to meet the people behind the food from all around Ireland and enjoy their food while taking in the best of designer outlet shopping”, says Margaret Jeffares, Managing Director Good Food Ireland.

With such a selection to choose from, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all taken care of and these are not just tasters, they offer amazing value. For more information on the Good Food Ireland Pop Up visit www.goodfoodireland.ie

THE DUBLIN GOURMET STROLL WITH MATT FULLER…

June 2012: This summer treat yourself to something special with a city break at the Five Star Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin. Dublin’s premier boutique hotel has created four luxurious packages, perfect for a stylish Summer city break in the heart of Dublin.

Foodies love to touch, they love to smell and most of all they love to taste! This tactile bunch will meet their match with Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin Head Chef, Matt Fuller. The Dublin Gourmet Stroll gives guests at the hotel the chance to walk through the city, under the close eye of Matt, who will ‘dish’ the dirt on the hidden tricks of the trade, ever wondered where Ireland’s top chefs go seeking inspiration? Matt is ready to lift the proverbial lid!

Once you have sampled the delights of Dublin’s burgeoning food scene, and learned of the best cheesemongers, sommeliers, & baristas in the area, the gastronomic adventure continues in Citron Restaurant at The Fitzwilliam Hotel, where Matt will talk you through a delicious three course meal with culinary highlights including;  Hand Dived Scallops with vanilla potatoes, passion fruit air & carrot saffron purée,  and a Pigeon & Foie Gras with creamy cep rice, apple, blackberry purée & artichoke.

Before you are enveloped in the cool crisp Egyptian cotton sheets of your Deluxe Executive Suite, enjoy a well- deserved Digestif in the hotel’s Inn on the Green bar.

The Dublin Gourmet Stroll package also includes a hearty breakfast on the day of departure,  car parking facilities, wireless internet access and all rates and service charges and costs €275 pps. Price available on request. www.fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com  / www.facebook.com/fitzwilliamdublin  / www.twitter.com/fitzwilliamdub

Good Food Ireland at the Hayfield

L to R: Joan Collins (Sage Cafe), Jenny Rose Clarke (The Sandwich Stall) & Kay Harte (Farmgate) 

Redmond O'Donoghue,  Santina Doherty and Peter Malone get to grips with an Arbutus loaf.

Caroline Curtin & Hazel Allen (Ballymaloe) and Alan Kingston (Glenilen )

Good Food Ireland On The Road

Last Wednesday, Chairman Redmond O’Donoghue welcomed the audience as The Good Food Ireland “roadshow” touched down in the Hayfield Manor in a middle of seven consecutive information sessions for its members countrywide. You may see the agenda here. 

Ciara Jackson heads up the Food and Beverage team at Grant Thornton and presented their recent report on the massive contribution that GFI and its approved providers are making to the Irish economy and how that role may be grown. Each visitor had a copy of the report and you can read more details of the report here. 

Amazingly, the report team found that almost 70% of GFI producers were unaware of Research and Development tax credits which “give an overall potential tax benefit of 37.5%” of the expense incurred. Worth checking out!

Margaret Jeffares, Founder & Managing Director of Good Food Ireland, then took the mike and gave a special welcome to two friends of Ireland from the US who were in the audience: Rachel Gaffney and Ginger Aarons.

“Five years on and we have a great group of businesses behind the GFI brand. But this is only the beginning,” summed up her optimistic speech, reinforcing what the chairman had earlier outlined about Food Tourism.

Rachel Gaffney (left), Margaret Jeffares and yours truly at the Hayfield

It may be the next big thing but Margaret is under no illusions and left no else under any doubt. “There is more to do.” And then she encouraged members to look out for one another which is one of the reasons they joined in the first place. “Refer customers onwards to one another ...our small staff will help, by distributing some 400,000 food tourist maps this year, half of them to Hertz Car Rental..all this helps grow your business but it is essential you play your part..we can’t do it all for you.”

The initial website has helped Good Food Ireland establish itself in the past five years but now it is time to change. And Santina Doherty revealed exciting plans for the second generation website which should be online by early Autumn.

I have seen Peter Malone of Nenagh’s Country Choice, who has been with GFI since the beginning, speak on a few occasions and just love the way he gets down to basics: buckets of blood at Jack McCarthy’s in Kanturk, spuds at the Hayfield.

He also spoke passionately about another basic: integrity. “The producer is our friend. Don’t screw him or her!” There must be an honest relationship between the restaurants/hotels and their producers and between them and their customers. Respect, honesty and fairness were his key words. The more we pull together, the further we will go.

A question and answer session then followed and before the conference broke up, members were busily making contact with one another, as if already taking the founder’s words to heart. Rachel Gaffney, who brings a planeload of Escoffiers here next April, was surrounded as she had indicated the gourmet tour would be in the Cork area and so quite a few of the local providers, mainly restaurateurs, took the opportunity to put their names down. Networking at work!

A GOOD FOOD VALENTINE'S

Vicky Jago has been in touch with a gift idea from Good Food Ireland, a Unique Gift this Valentine's!

"If you love good food, then look no further than a Good Food Ireland gift voucher which allows you the freedom to choose from over 300 Good Food Ireland approved providers located around the island of Ireland. They promise you an experience of the very best in Irish cuisine and hospitality. 

Whether you are looking for a romantic break, an intimate meal, a relaxing spa weekend or a dinner in a famous Irish eatery or just pure food indulgence this is the ideal gift for everyone who simply loves good food!

Good Food Ireland gift vouchers starting from €10 are available to purchase through the Good Food Ireland office Tel 053 9158693 or Online www.goodfoodireland.ie"   

VOUCHERS FOR EVERY FOODIE

GOOD FOOD IRELAND'S VERSATILE VOUCHERS

The Perfect Gift for Food Lovers for any Occasion 

Good Food Ireland, Ireland’s All-Ireland food tourism group, are delighted to announce the launch of their Christmas gift vouchers. These unique vouchers can be used at over 350 Good Food Ireland members throughout Ireland for accommodation, cookery courses or meals out in one of the many Good Food Ireland recommended places around the country.

Select from the fabulous range of Good Food Ireland 5 star hotels, restaurants, cookery schools, cafes, pubs and shops this festive season and experience the very best in Irish cuisine and hospitality.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing spa weekend, or dinner in a famous Irish eatery, a Good Food Ireland gift voucher is the perfect gift this Christmas. Spoil the one you love or simply say thank you with a thoughtful treat or break away this season.

 A gift voucher from Good Food Ireland is the ideal gift for anyone who simply loves good Irish food!

Gift vouchers are available from €10. These vouchers will be available for purchase on the Good Food Ireland website and also by contacting the main head office. Log onto www.goodfoodireland.ie for further information.

Good Food Ireland to feature on SKY TV

Good Food Ireland to feature on SKY TV

Darina Allen

Scrumptious, savoury and seasonal food from around Ireland with Good Food Ireland will feature on SKY TV channel 201 and IRISHTV.ie at 9pm this coming Thursday, December 15th in a special one hour programme showcasing all that is good about an Irish food experience.

The tasty programme ingredients include insightful interviews with passionate food producers, restaurateurs and hoteliers who rely on the quality of their produce to entice customers and visitors to Ireland from all over the world. The main course of the programme will be served up with some delightful treats from around the country as the IRISH TV film crew follow the food producers’ quest for perfection.

“The passion these people have for food is phenomenal. I was amazed by their commitment to quality and attention to detail. The people we spoke to have wonderful stories to tell from small beginnings in country kitchens to the crème de la crème of the international culinary market,” commented programme presenter Pierce O’Reilly.

The programme this week on SKY TV and IRISHTV.ie concludes with some tasty treats and delicious desserts.  Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, celebrity cook Darina Allen, Farmer’s Journal editor Matt Dempsey and travel writer extraordinaire Manchan Magan all give their views on the future and importance of the Irish food industry and the critical role that Good Food Ireland plays in its promotion at home and abroad.

The Good Food Ireland Special can be viewed on SKY TV channel 201 and on www.irishtv.ie this coming Thursday, December 15th at 9pm. The programme is repeated on Sunday at 10pm and Monday at 11pm.

KERRYGOLD SPONSOR GOOD FOOD IRELAND AWARDS

Good Food Ireland Announces Kerrygold as Lead Sponsor

Kerrygold is the lead sponsor of the 5^th Good Food Ireland Conference and Awards which will take place in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel on Tuesday November 22nd. The event will be attended by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar.

“Good Food Ireland has made a significant contribution in promoting Ireland as a destination for good food internationally . I would like to congratulate Margaret Jeffares and the membership of Good Food Ireland for the economic benefit they generate through their businesses’ every day, with their local food philosophy”, says An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D.

The international success of Kerrygold has enhanced Ireland’s reputation as a first class food producer. Good Food Ireland’s Conference “Internationalising Irishness” and Awards Ceremony will highlight the value of Ireland’s food as an economic driver for tourism opportunity.

“The Kerrygold brand now in its 50^th year has a natural affinity with Good Food Ireland’s aims and ambitions. It has developed huge recognition and built on Ireland’s well founded reputation for natural, pure and traceable agriculture products” says Margaret Jeffares, Managing Director, Good Food Ireland.

Pictured at the announcement  8th November 2011 were Margaret Jeffers, MD Good Food Ireland,  with, from left, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Kevin Lane CEO and Vincent Buckley, Chairman, the Irish Dairy Board. Pic Iain White/Mac Innes Photography

“Good Food Ireland’s emphasis on promoting high quality Irish food in tourism, both domestically and internationally is an ideal fit and Kerrygold is delighted to sponsor Ireland’s premier food tourism brand” said John Jordan, the Irish Dairy Board’s Customer Foods Marketing Director at the launch.

GOOD FOOD IRELAND AT THE BREEDER’S CUP

GOOD FOOD IRELAND SHOWCASES AT THE BREEDER’S CUP

Good Food Ireland has being invited by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to represent Ireland at The Breeders Cup “Taste of the World” Welcome Party in Louisville, Kentucky on November 3rd 2011. The brainchild of American celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the 15 countries that have won the Breeders Cup will come together to showcase the cuisine of their country.

These include France, Japan, USA, New Zealand, UK, Argentina and Australia amongst others. Good Food Ireland will also be included in the Winners Circle Ceremony for a Breeders Cup world championship race named in honour of the event. Coverage of the Welcome Party will be beamed to millions of people during ESPN’s domestic and international broadcast on Nov 4th and 5th.

“It is a great honour for Good Food Ireland to represent our country at this prestigious event. Ireland’s cuisine is largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations and the Good Food Ireland members clearly epitomise the best. The Breeders Cup is an ideal event to promote Ireland’s cuisine and the wonderful food that can be experienced in our network of businesses around the island of Ireland.

It is a primary audience many of whom regularly travel to Ireland for its great thoroughbred industry.  Good Food Ireland is very grateful to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for affording this opportunity to us. ” say Margaret Jeffares, Founder and Managing Director, Good Food Ireland.

Good Food Ireland member chefs, Ed Cooney, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin and Maurice Keller, Arlington Lodge Country House Hotel, Waterford will showcase Butter Poached Fillet of Clare Island Salmon with a Lemon Oil Dulse, Green Vegetable Broth & Lobster, Traditional Irish Soda Breads, Burren Smokehouse Organic Smoked Salmon and Irish Farmhouse Cheese.

Food Lover’s Choice Award

The Good Food Ireland Conference and Awards Ceremony will take place Tuesday, November 22nd 2011 in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

Amy White of GFI has been in touch with the news that food lovers can vote, not just in the Presidential election, but in a new Food Lover's Award:

 "We are excited to announce for the first time ever we have created a specific award dedicated to you called the “Food Lover’s Choice Award” where you can vote for your favourite Good Food Ireland business."

"Not only are we recognising the value of you our customers but we are also giving one lucky winner a chance to present the award with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny at the Awards Ceremony. To ensure your favourite Good Food Ireland business is nominated you can vote by posting your comment to our Facebook Wall or simply email awhite@goodfoodireland.ie. For all your up-to-the-minute news log onto http://www.goodfoodireland.ie/awards."

GOOD FOOD IRELAND AWARDS

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – Good Food Ireland Conference and Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 22^nd in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. For more information and to keep up to date visit - http://www.goodfoodireland.ie/Page/GFI_Awards.html

ARTISAN FOOD AT BRADLEY'S

BRADLEY'S of North Main Street

Bradley's of North Main Street  started life in 1850, as a dairy. A big treat for the ladies at the time was a glass of fresh cream.

Now the shop is well known both as a specialist off-licence and convenience/grocery store. The business may have changed but the treats go on, the latest coming from a group of artisans, most if not all members of Good Food Ireland.

Here today, you can still find a tub of cream and other mouth-watering temptations on the shelves include the ice cream handmade by Baldwins of Waterford  and the well known Seymour Biscuits of Bandon. 

You might start the day with a choice of granola, either that by Paddy's O'Granola or Wexford’s Staple Diet Breakfast Granola. A cup of coffee? Take home a carton by Fermoy’s Badger and Dodo

Beside, you can spice up your life with Relish and Chutneys by Janet's Country Fayre, G’s Homemade Jams and Relishes , Rebel Chilli Sauces and the famous Ballymaloe Relish . No problem then finding something to go with the Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheeses.

 Bradley’s carry the most extensive range of wines, beers, spirits and liqueurs available in Cork.  “That’s right," says the store's ever present Michael Creedon. “Apart from the brands you expect to find in a quality off-licence, we also carry those you just can’t find anywhere else!   Furthermore, if we don’t stock what you are looking for, we also specialise in sourcing your requests.”

“Maybe you are looking for a wine for your wedding, or that special bottle for a big occasion.  Possibly a chocolate stout is more to your taste, or an after dinner Limoncello.  Whatever it might be, look no further! Next time you are in Cork, please feel free to visit us and browse our shelves.  And if you can’t carry it home, nationwide delivery can be arranged.”

“Good Food Ireland Pop Up at Model County Festival”

“Good Food Ireland Pop Up at Model County Festival”

Good Food Ireland, the Wexford based organisation will be taking part at Wexford Food Festival in Wexford Town on Saturday May 21st. The Good Food Ireland Pop Up will include local food heroes from Wexford and around the country. Meet the people behind the food from the chef to the baker to the chocolate maker. Enjoy Scallops from Kilmore Quay, Hereford Beef, Waterford Blass and many other local artisan food producers.

“I am delighted to showcase Good Food Ireland in my home town. Wexford, traditionally the “model” county for agriculture and of course a key tourist location is the perfect place to highlight the importance of local and sustainable food” says Margaret Jeffares Founder, Good Food Ireland.

Good Food Ireland informs customers where to go to have a quality Irish ingredient led food experience. It  identifies some 500 restaurants, hotels, food shops, cookery schools, farm houses and B&Bs around the island that are committed to using local sustainable food, supporting Irish farmers food producers and fishermen. Look out for the Good Food Ireland sign or visit www.goodfoodireland.ie

SPRING FOOD SHOPPING

SPRING FOOD

and more...

Spring is in the air and with it comes these mouth-watering recipes, courtesy of Good Food Ireland. Check these out:

Smoked Salmon Mousse - Delicious starter with a bit of zip! 

Mount Falcon Mayo Rack of Lamb Mint Crust and a Diamond of Vegetables

Farmgate Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote

But if you want to spend less time in the kitchen, Good Food Ireland’s Linda Thomas has some advice: “Take a look at our restaurants, hotels, country houses, B&B's, delis, coffee shops, cookery schools, butchers, country storehouses and farmers’ markets who are revolutionising the way local produce is experienced and eaten in Ireland. We have come very, very far in recent years, to the point where significant international tour operators are now organising food trips into Ireland. That would not have been possible several years ago.”

A Good Food Ireland roaming voucher makes the perfect gift for food lovers and can be used with any of our 260 members and growing. To purchase your Good Food Ireland voucher click here >>>
Check out all the fabulous Offers, Events and News on the Good Food Ireland Website

Called to Cinnamon Cottage on the Rochestown Road which has just opened after a major re-vamp. Looks open and airy with lots of good food on display (producers such as Kanturk’s Jack McCarthy and Buttevant’s Old Millbank prominent), fresh breads and a tempting salad bar.  

But I was on the lookout for prepared meals and saw only a quiche and some marinated chicken breasts so I headed back to Mahon and old reliable Flynn’s Kitchen. Thought I was too late when I saw just one portion of his famous cannelloni in the tray but Iain had another tray in reserve and the day was saved! Beautiful stuff!

Had been tipped off about a confectionery shop in the Mahon Shopping complex so checked it and soon found myself gaping at the fantastic selection in Amandine’s, a French influenced patisserie stall on the ground floor. Loads of cakes here of all sizes and for all occasions. Picked up a couple of small pastries, a jam confiture topped cheese cake and another in which baker’s custard was topped with glazed fruit. Gorgeous. But take it easy!

Easter Wine Bonanza Weekend in Urru Bandon

Urru Bandon Re-Launch Wine Card...

Glad to see that two old “friends” of mine will be prominent when Urru Bandon  re-launch their Wine Club Card scheme this Easter. Bubble Brothers are their wine partners and the two friends I refer to are two favourite wines from the Margaret River area of Australia, Xanadu’s Next of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

This Easter Bonanza Wine Weekend in Bandon will feature the re-launch of Club Card; a mix & match wine offer for Easter itself and the start of a series of fun Saturday wine tastings for casual and dedicated wine lovers alike. It will all kick off from 11 am on Saturday 23 April.

Urru’s Wine Club Card will re-launch with a really easy, straightforward wine “collect-to-get” schemes. Simply collect 36 tokens (one with each bottle of normal priced wine) and redeem them to get a 10% discount card on all normal priced wine purchases for 12 months following redemption. This will replace the previous “collect-to-get” gifts scheme that has been running since 2009. The revamp of the scheme is in response to what shoppers having said is what they most want.

 For Easter there will be a mix & match offer of Buy 5 Bottles, Get 1 Free on a range of best-selling wines. To make it easy to choose your favourite five, John McCarthy from Bubble Brothers will be in-store on Saturday 23^rd April from 11am to guide the tasting of the wines. Wines on offer will include the likes of Agricola Castellana, Pampano Inspiracion (Rueda, €11), Xanadu, Next of Kin, Sauvignon-Semillon (Margaret River, €13.50), Mount Langi Ghiran, Billi Billi, Pinot Grigio (Victoria €13.50), Chateau la Mothe du Barry, Bordeaux Superieur, €12.50, Bodegas Pingon, Carramimbre Joven Roble (Ribera Duro, €13.50), Xanadu, Next of Kin, Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River, €13.50), Mount Langi Ghiran, Billi Billi Shiraz (Victoria, €13.50) and more.

Thirdly, an 8 week series of “Taste of Wine & Cheese of the Week” for summer will start. It will offer an opportunity to blind taste a selected wine each Saturday, covering a range of prices, styles and regions. It is a chance to hone the senses, with the aid of tasting charts, guess the grapes, price range and country of origin; then the wine will be matched with a compatible Cheese of the Week, selected from a range of over 40 Irish farmhouse cheeses and to help it all go down there will be 10% off the price to take home and savour in the long summer evenings with friends and family.

Urru Culinary Store and Bubble Brothers Wines have been working together for 8 years to bring a uniquely wide selection of artisan and emerging wine makers to West Cork.Urru is a member of Good Food Ireland  /and Slow Food Ireland and is featured in the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide and Georgina Campbell Guides.

This is the 4th in a series of 11 Bonanza Days from Urru across 2011 to bring some  good cheer to West Cork and remind us of what is great in our culinary community.

The Perfect Gift For Mum this Mother’s Day

Kelly's Hotel Dessert

Wondering what to buy the woman (maybe women) in your life for the fast approaching Mother's Day? Linda Thomas of Good Food Ireland has some ideas:

"Why not make this Mother’s Day extra special and an unforgettable experience with Good Food Ireland! Give mum the perfect gift of a Good Food Ireland gift voucher to show your appreciation for all she’s done.

These unique vouchers can be used at over 260 Good Food Ireland members throughout Ireland for a well-deserved break in the best settings allowing your mum to experience the very best in Irish cuisine and hospitality.

Alternatively, choose from a variety of delicious mouthwatering food gifts or award winning quality artisan food hampers to share.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing spa weekend, or dinner in a famous Irish eatery or just pure food indulgence, a Good Food Ireland gift voucher is the perfect gift this Mother’s Day and is ideal for anyone who simply loves good Irish food!

Forget about having to travel to the likes of France for exceptional cuisine when you can enjoy dishes to delight every palate here at home. Le Guide Du Routard, the travel bible of the French-speaking world have deemed Irish Restaurants among the best in the world, it even goes so far as to praise Ireland's restaurants for being unmatched the world over!

Gift vouchers are available from 50 euro +. These vouchers will be available for purchase on the Good Food Ireland website and also by contacting the main head office. Log onto www.goodfoodireland.ie for further information."

“Good Food Ireland Calls on Irish People to Support Irish Food this St Patrick’s Day”

Margaret Jeffares (founder Good Food Ireland) and Publicity and Events Manager, Linda Thomas.

Good Food Ireland is calling on Irish people in the run up to St Patrick’s Day to buy local food and choose restaurants and hotels that are committed to using Irish food ingredients. I think that is something we can all go along with.

"Good Food Ireland is the only all island organisation to identify places to stay, to eat out, to shop or take a cookery course that prioritise Irish food and offer a high quality food experience, therefore supporting Irish farmers, food producers and fishermen.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Founder of Good Food Ireland, Margaret Jeffares comments, “We want to highlight to the Irish people and to visitors our approved network of people who are delivering to their customers a superb Irish food experience and who are the real local food heroes of our island. In supporting them you also help secure some 7,000 direct jobs and the livelihoods of many Irish food producers, farmers and fishermen that they buy from”.

"The economic benefit and  new rural enterprise opportunities that Good Food Ireland provides through linking agriculture and food with tourism is now more important than ever. Agriculture is at the heart of our Irish culture and culture seeking is No 1 at the heart of tourists."

 Look out for the Good Food Ireland sign or log onto www.goodfoodireland.ie. In addition to this support local campaign, the All Ireland Marketing Awards 2011 announced that Good Food Ireland has been short-listed as a Finalist for the Outstanding Small Business Award.

FANTASTIC PRIZE FROM GOOD FOOD IRELAND

Good Food Ireland Competition

Good Food Ireland, the only all island industry organization that brings together under one umbrella good food places all over the island of Ireland that are committed to using local food is offering two lucky people the chance to win a fabulous Good Food Ireland culinary weekend.

Find Good Food Ireland on Facebook to locate the answer to the question below and be in with the chance of winning this fantastic prize courtesy of Good Food Ireland. The perfect weekend for all food lovers!

Day 1:

· Arrive in Dublin and check into ...read more..