Fortnum and Mason in business alliance with Hannan Meats

Hannan Meats, the Northern Irish meat processor, is to supply dry-aged beef to Fortnum and Mason in London for its restaurants and catering operations.

The new business alliance will see Hannan Meats, winner of the Supreme Champion Award in this year's UK Great Taste Awards, start supplying the top retailer in January. Hannan 's winning product, Moyallon Guanciale, has been sold in Fortnum and Mason's food hall since the Great Taste Award was announced in September. The association has now developed to the supply of premium meat to the store's restaurant operations.

The new business alliance was agreed between Simon Burdess, Fortnum and Mason's trading director, and Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats, which is based at Moira in County Antrim, last week.

Mr Hannan, who set up Hannan Meats in 1989 largely to supply foodservice outlets such as high-end hotels and restaurants, said: "We are delighted to have secured this tremendously encouraging business from Fortnum and Mason in London. The Fortnum and Mason team has been extremely supportive in discussions resulting in this business association.

"While we will start supplying premium quality meat aged in our unique Himalayan salt chamber in January, we launched our alliance with Fortnum and Mason last week by purchasing some exceptional beef from Northern Ireland farmers at Allam's traditional Christmas Show in Belfast. This will be used in the London store.

"It's also immensely important for our farm suppliers who provide consistently high quality Glenarm Shorthorn and European Angus cattle as part of an arrangement which ensures them good returns for animals."

Hannan will provide dry-aged beef from its unique Himalayan Salt Chamber, the only one of its type in Europe.

Mr Burdess, commenting on the new business association, said: "We have had an amazing year in 2012. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics have been a great cause for celebration.

"As we look forward to marking the anniversary of Her Majesty's coronation we want to make sure we start 2013 off in style. Serving this handsome beef with help from Hannan Meats and their amazing ageing process in our restaurants will certainly be a fine way to begin our celebrations."

Hannan Meats employs around 30 people at its processing plant at Moira.