Northern Irish Farm food businesses in line for top UK award

Two farm-based food businesses will represent Northern Ireland at this month's final of the British Street Food Awards in Birmingham.

Winners of the first ever Northern Ireland regional heat - held as part of the International Hillsborough Oyster Festival were Broughgammon Farm from Ballycastle, county Antrim and Pheasants' Hill Farm of Downpatrick, county Down.

They were successful in a competition that was shortlisted to 12 entrants from many parts of Northern Ireland.

Broughgammon Farm, a specialist in cabrito meats was the winner of the judge's wild card, impressing the celebrity judges with a kid offal and chorizo taco. Their burger was good, but it was the taco, with its fresh cheese base, that the judges loved.

They now join Pheasant Hill, winner of the popular vote, in representing Northern Ireland in the finals on September 16/17.

Broughgammon Farm is situated three miles from the rugged North Antrim coastline, nestled between Ballycastle and Bushmills. It's a farm with a mission, set up when the team saw that a majority of male kid goats born to the dairy industry were being put down at birth. It seemed such a waste of life -- so they set out to rear the males for kid goat meat. They've since branched out into free-range rose veal and an on-site butchery to save the animals a long journey to slaughter. This is one inspirational place.

Pheasants' Hill Farm boasts 'Ireland's best free range, rare breed, outdoor roaming, naturally fed, additive free meat.' All the products served from their trailer are butchered and cured at the farm.

Pic Caption: The Cole Family, Broughgammon Farm.