Beef is top choice in Northern Ireland

Beef has been named Northern Ireland's most popular meat in a public vote to find a new signature dish for the region.

The public opted for 'Born and Braised' an original dish made from shin of Northern Irish beef from three innovative dishes created by a four-strong team of top chefs. It was chosen ahead of new dishes made from lamb and Lough Neagh Eel.

The chefs - Niall McKenna, Chris McGowan, Ian Orr and Kelan McMichael - chose shin of beef from multi-award winning Hannan Meats in Moira, county Antrim and other local ingredients such as honey from county Down and Belfast Black Ale from Whitewater Brewery in Kilkeel, also from county Down, as well as Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil from Limavady in county Derry and locally-grown vegetables. It also features bone marrow from Hannan Meats.

It's another important recognition for Hannan Meats, the meat processing business headed by Peter Hannan which was named Supreme Champion in this year's UK Great Taste Awards.

The competition to find a new signature dish for Northern Ireland was launched by Tourism NI as part of the successful Year of Food and Drink. The four top restaurant chefs were commissioned to create three dishes for a public vote. They came up with a shortlist of Born and Braised, Jowled Eel and Buttermilked Lamb for the public to choose.

Naomi Waite, Tourism NI's director of marketing, said: "The winning dish, Born and Braised, will appear on restaurant menus and dinner tables across Northern Ireland, but as the final three were all so delicious there really isn't any downside for food lovers."

Niall McKenna from James Street South restaurant in Belfast, added: "Coming up with a new signature dish for Northern Ireland has certainly been a challenge, but a worthwhile one.

"All three dishes really embody a taste of Northern Ireland and are all stellar examples of the quality, flavour, value and diversity of the amazing produce we have on our doorsteps."

"Ian Orr, of Brown's Restaurant and Ardtara House, both in county Derry, said: "It's been lots of fund working with the other guys to come up with a new signature dish for Northern Ireland. I am really pleased with how all the dishes have turned out and I am delighted that the people of Northern Ireland have chosen this winning dish for themselves."

Kelan McMichael is chef/owner of Bull and Ram in Ballynahinch, county Down. Top chef Chris McGowan owns Wine and Brine restaurant in Moira.