Bake Off star backs Northern Irish pork

Great British Bake Off finalist and Northern Ireland born cook Andrew Smyth has joined the Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum as brand ambassador working on a creative campaign to celebrate pork's provenance and versatility.

The hugely popular amateur chef and full time engineer from Holywood, county Down, who became well known on the seventh series of The Great British Bake Off in 2016, rose to fame for his innovative creations which combined his love of baking with engineering.

Deirdre McIvor, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum, says:

"Northern Ireland Pork which carries the 'Assured Origin' logo guarantees that the cut, from pork chops to shoulder of pork, is wholly produced to the highest possible standards. This means that customers can trust that pork and bacon with this label have been produced in line with some of the highest standards in Europe.

"The pig farming industry makes a significant contribution to the agri-sector in Northern Ireland and sustains 400 farming families and 2,000 local jobs. We're proud of that industry and we encourage customers to support and protect it by always looking for the label and choosing locally produced pork.

"Andrew is an emerging local culinary talent and we are delighted that he has come on board with a range of tasty Pork based dishes bringing new energy to our campaign which has provenance and creativity at its heart."

Twelve videos will be created as part of the new campaign. The campaign has been created in support of NI Pork and Bacon Forum's 'Assured Origin' quality seal which is a guarantee to customers that pork is 100 per cent Northern Ireland produced, governed by the highest animal welfare standards and quality production systems.

It forms part of NI Pork's larger effort to encourage retailers across Northern Ireland to stock NI Assured Origin pork product to ensure they offer customers the best locally produced products.

Andrew Smyth adds: "Northern Ireland pork is among the best and tastiest in the world. Pork is really versatile, is great value, incredibly tender if cooked correctly and oozes flavour. It can be enjoyed as a classic slow-cooked roast, in casseroles, as an accompaniment with fresh summer salads - the options are simply endless. Hopefully my recipes and videos will show people just how easy it is to cook and will offer some simple inspiration in the kitchen."

Pic caption: Andrew Smyth, new brand ambassador with Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum.