Northern Irish food for London's Borough Market

Shoppers at the popular Borough Market in London could soon be able to enjoy tasty and wholesome food and drink from Northern Ireland producers.

A major showcase of quality food and drink there is being planned by Food NI as part of its Taste the Greatness campaign to promote Northern Ireland food and drink in Britain. The presentation is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland and Tourism NI.

Hundreds of original food and drink products from around 12 leading food and drink processors, many of which have won UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann, Irish National Food Awards, will be showcased.

Among those scheduled to take part is Burren Balsamics, a producer of award winning fruit-infused culinary vinegars.

Susie Hamilton Stubber, founder and managing director of Burren Balsamics, says: "We are really looking forward to showing our products at such an important and prestigious market. It is a perfect fit for our marketing strategy which is focused on marketing opportunities in Britain. We have already taken part in major shows in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and will be showing at the forthcoming Harrogate Fine Food Show North."

The showcase, planned for four days over St Patrick's Weekend, will be the first of its kind from Northern Ireland at the big market in Southwark.

Borough Market is London's oldest food market and has been serving quality food and drink to the people of Southwark for 1,000 years, as well as visitors from other parts of London and from further afield.

Paula MacIntyre, the Northern Ireland chef and food ambassador, is expected to feature in the Northern Ireland presentation. She has cooked at the market on a number of occasions with other top London chefs.

The market is a dynamic, ever-changing London institution and a source of outstanding food that features food producers and farmers.

Borough market's stalls, shops and restaurants reflect London's status as a truly global city, with traditional British produce sitting alongside regional specialities from around the world.

The market has won acclaim from the Slow Food movement and ties between the two have strengthened over the past five years.

Slow Food is a worldwide movement that supports a low impact approach to food production, with an emphasis on localised traditions and customs. Its philosophy closely mirrors that of Borough Market.