Top chef backs Northern Ireland's Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil

Broighter Gold, the leading Northern Irish producer of rapeseed oil, has won endorsement from one of Ireland's top chefs and food writers.

Noel McMeel, executive head chef at the Lough Erne Hotel and Resort in Enniskillen, county Fermanagh commissioned a special oil from Broighter Gold for sale to visitors and diners at the resort, which hosted world leaders attending the G8 Summit in 2013. McMeel has been a long-time supporter of Broighter Gold in his original dishes. He was invited by President Barack Obama to a dinner in the White House. He is also author of The Irish Pantry, a showcase of traditional Irish cooking.

McMeel, a former contestant on Great British Menu, commenting on the deal with Broighter Gold, says: "I have dedicated my entire career to one very simple goal: finding, preparing and serving fresh food that is local.

"For me what we eat has to delight the taste buds, ensnare the senses and nourish body and soul. Get the basics right first and this comes down to the best oil. Lough Erne Resort doesn't use olive oil within the resort. This last four years we have been using only Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil.

"At Lough Erne Resort our reputation for fabulous food is one of the reasons our valued guests return. I am so excited that our customers can now take home one of the world's best rapeseed oils as part of Lough Erne's key products," he adds.

Leona Kane, managing director of Broighter Gold, which is based on the family farm near Limavady in county Derry, says: "We were delighted when such a distinguished chef and author as Noel McMeel commissioned us to produce a rapeseed oil for sale at the five-star resort and golf complex. It's a tremendous endorsement of the quality of our oils which have also won a series of UK Great Taste Awards."

The resort is now selling Broighter Gold's rapeseed and basil oil that's infused with white garlic.

Mrs Kane formed Broighter Gold in 2011 in a farm diversification project. The small company cold presses oil from its own oil seed rape grown on the mixed farm in county Derry. She now has a portfolio of six flavoured oils and recently launched a hickory smoked variety.

In addition to the processing business, Broighter Gold has a small working museum under the Economusee scheme which showcased artisan skills to set up a small museum for craft tourists.