Northern Irish flavours for World Porridge Day

White's, the Northern Irish oat miller, celebrated World Porridge Day by teaming up with a top hotel to create a delicious autumnal porridge using other ingredients from Northern Ireland.

Based at Tandragee in county Armagh, White's, which produces the market leading Speedicook brand, asked Jay Eisenstadt, head chef at the four-star Stormont Hotel in Belfast to develop a special porridge featuring Armagh bramley apples, which have EU PGI status, Bushmills Whiskey from county Antrim and local elderflowers.

White's has been milling oats in Armagh since 1841 and has produced a range of porridge products and toasted oat snacks, combining over 175 years of heritage, expertise, craft and passion.

Danielle McBride, brand manager at White's, says: "Our award winning oats are grown locally by a trusted network of 25 farmers, some of whom have been growing oats for us for three generations. It's this care and uncompromising quality that delivers the distinctive creamy taste of our oats which are also high in fibre, naturally low in saturated fat and help lower cholesterol."

The company's products were awarded another four gold stars at this year's UK Great Taste Awards. White's now boasts an impressive 47 Great Taste accolades. A porridge produced for German discounter Aldi gained gold in the recent Blas na hEireann Irish National Food awards in Dingle.

"Oats are a natural superfood, 100 percent wholegrain and an excellent source of fibre, protein, vitamins and antioxidants and with so many nutritious benefits it's easy to see why it's become the latest 'in' healthy breakfast," she adds.

Founded over 50 years ago, Hastings Hotels is Northern Ireland's premier hotel group with six hotels.

Jay Eisenstadt adds: "Hastings Hotels is passionate about food and believes that eating is one of life's greatest pleasures. We embrace the use of carefully selected local and seasonal quality foods to enable us to prepare and create the most delicious dishes.

"When sourcing food, we look for the finest local produce which stands out from the rest - from where it originates, to the way it is produced and for its flavour."

World Porridge Day is a registered charity of Mary's Meals that supports people living in some of the world's poorest areas. It achieves its goals by providing one good meal to some of the world's poorest children every day at school.

A daily nutritious breakfast can make all the difference to a child by providing them with the energy and opportunity to learn, giving them the chance of a brighter future.