The future of the Irish food story, where is it going and what is happening next? It’s a complex question but here in Irish Country Living, we know the future of food is down to people, the producers and the farmers of the future. The call is now on to identify and bring those future leaders forward with the recent recruitment announcement of Food Works 2019. Developed by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, Food Works 2019 is all about bringing together some of Ireland’s best business minds to help develop the next batch of food and drink entrepreneurs and high-potential start-ups. Get this for a line-up of ambassadors; David McKernan, Java Republic; Ann Murray, Lir Chocolates; Paddy Callaghan, Natures Best; Pat Rigney, The Shed Distillery, Stephen Twadell, food investor and business coach; Larry Murrin, Dawn Farm Foods and John O’Brien, O’Brien Fine Foods.

So who should be putting their name forward? Senior manager at Bord Bia Karen Tyner says: “We are looking for companies with innovative products, export potential, financial viability and a strong team to join the sixth phase of our programme.

“This year we are also keen to attract individuals who have the ambition to become serial entrepreneurs who we will tailor a bespoke package of supports for.

“The key for us is identifying propositions which meet a genuine market need and can demonstrate an opportunity to scale for the export market.”

Over the last five years, Food Works has worked with 76 food and drink companies to develop scalable and export focussed business ideas. One of these is Paul Simpson from Dairy Concepts who says: “Since we’ve graduated from Food Works, we have already created seven jobs. We expect to more than double that next year and then quadruple it by the end of 2020 and those are all full-time jobs.

“They’re from many different disciplines – from manufacturing, and technical to marketing and finance”

If you’re interested in signing up, individuals or companies are asked to register for an introductory meeting on www.foodworksireland.ie.

Bord Bia Foodworks Programme.

Bushy Park Food Festival

There might not be too many farms inside the M50 but given the scale of the population, we want to see those links to rural Ireland and its produce strengthened more and more.

Irish food producers will be the focus at the international Bushy Park Food Festival which takes place in Bushy Park on 29 September. The flavours of the world may be on display with everything from Hawaiian poké bowls to Taiwanese boa buns and Spainish paellas but right throughout, Irish ingredients will be used.

Father and son team Joe and Finn Brady will be bringing their beef from Mullingar for what is known as “the best burger in Dublin” while the guys from Sausage Hut source their sausages from an organic farm in Co Wicklow with baps from the Pretzel Bakery, topped with their signature homemade chutney.

The best of Irish cheese will be oozing from mouth watering sourdough bread at the Nice n’Cheesy Irish toasties stand.

As well as that, artisan producers will also be showcasing their delights with cakes, treats, Irish home grown fruit and vegetables, chutneys, jams and hand rolled ice cream. There will also be panel discussions taking place featuring local restaurant owners and food producers who supply the weekly food market as well as discussions about healthy food for kids and the foodie’s fascination with Instagram. Entry is free and more information can be found on https://www.facebook.com/bushyparkmarket.

Small brands make a big impact in Lidl

Keep an eye out on the shelves in Lidl as there will be some Irish brands making their mark in the coming weeks. The Lidl’s Kick Start Supplier Development Programme is designed to help small and medium suppliers to grow their brand and build their supply network.

One of these is the Curious Farmer. Based in Co Tyrone, Joel Kerr’s family have been farming the land for generations. However, he diversified into recipe kits after customers spoke of wanting delicious, flavoursome meals but were limited on time. The recipe spice kits are perfect for adding to meat, fish or vegetable dishes to create quick, delicious, flavoursome meals. Lidl will stock Curious Farmers flavours including spiced cod, Moroccan beef stew and sweet potato curry.

Another supplier going ‘All Ireland’ with their product is Kelly’s Wild Atlantic Black and White puddings. Sean Kelly has been building a strong brand from Newport in Co Mayo for many years and has been featured frequently on the pages of Irish Country Living. This is the first time though, that his award winning puddings will be on sale in all 32 counties with Lidl. Kelly’s Wild Atlantic puddings contain seaweed giving a subtly different flavour.

The Kelly’s product range includes black and white puddings, vegetarian pudding, Wild Atlantic seaweed puddings, pork sausages and five speciality sausage flavours. It also includes a breakfast pack with mini puddings and six sausages. You’ll also be able to find his products in SuperValu and Centra as well as selected Dunnes Stores and speciality food stores.