New Ideas from Northern Ireland at Casual Dining Show - Stand D40

Innovative food and drink products from award winning Northern Ireland producers will be showcased on Stand D40 at this year's Casual Dining Show at London's Excel from Wednesday 27th to Thursday 29th February.

On show are products ranging from innovative snacks, gluten free vegetable and potato products to craft beers and desserts.

The showcase (Stand D40) has been organised by Invest Northern Ireland, the region's business development body and will feature a broad cross-section of products, many of which are already listed by foodservice operators, including suppliers to hotels, cafes and restaurants, in the UK.

Michelle Charrington, Invest NI's Head of Business Development in GB commenting on the showcase, says: "Great Britain is still the biggest market for the Northern Ireland food and drink industry, overall, the industry saw a 2.6 percent rise in total sales in 2017 to £4.5billion.

"Casual Dining is a vitally important event for our food and drink companies. Potential customers can count on Northern Ireland to deliver innovative, creative solutions as well as quality, which has been proven through strong results in the Great Taste Awards and Quality Food Awards.

Michelle's colleague Drew McIvor, Head of Business Development for Food Service in GB continues "The manufacturing capability of our wide network of food and drink manufacturers means that Northern Ireland can satisfy customer needs across many chilled and ambient categories, as well as delivering volume requirements.

"So, whether you're a national catering wholesaler or an independent premium hotel operator, we are likely to have original products to help freshen up your portfolio or menu. Our showcase at Casual Dining provides an opportunity for existing and potential clients seeking experienced and reliable suppliers, to talk to our producers and sample the products they have to offer and discuss how they can meet their requirements for great food with provenance as well as a track record of providing value for money and service they can count upon." she adds.

The Northern Ireland companies taking part in the showcase on Stand D40 at Casual Dining in London from 27th-28th February include:

Rich Sauces - wholesale sauces, dressings, bouillon, mayonnaise and catering supplies. http://www.richsauces.com/

Noisy Snacks - innovative snack products that offer a fun experience while elevating the drinking experience including Noisy Nuts http://www.noisysnacks.com/products/

Mash Direct - leading UK brand, offering an innovative range of high quality, convenient mashed root vegetable, potato, cabbage and other quality vegetable products with the taste and texture of good homemade food. http://www.mashdirect.com/

Glens of Antrim (crisps) - Range of Thick Cut Jacket Potato Crisps. They come in a range of flavours including Irish Whiskey, Mature Cheddar and Sweet Onion, Kickin' Chilli and Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar. https://www.goacrisps.com

Finnebrogue Artisan - Famous for its gourmet sausages and formerly its venison products, Finnebrogue recently launched a new vegetarian and vegan factory to up-scale the firm's meat-free production. http://www.finnebrogue.com/

Whitewater Brewery - Award-winning specialist in bottle-conditioned beers and ales available throughout Ireland in selected bars, restaurants, off-licences and supermarkets including: Sainsbury's, Tescos, ASDA, Musgrave. Customers also in Spain, Japan and Russia. https://whitewaterbrewery.com/

Davison's Canners & Puds - Wide variety of hot eat desserts for retail and foodservice and a range of ingredients for further manufacturing, such as jams, fruit compotes, sauces and bakery fillings. Family and individual portioned puddings such as Sticky Toffee Pudding, Sticky Chocolate Pudding, Bread and Butter Pudding, Creamy Rice Pudding, Fruit Based Crumbles, Jam Sponge Pudding and Syrup Sponge Pudding to name a few. http://www.davisoncanners.com/