Hannan's salt aged beef is just GREAT - UK Government

Salt-aged beef from Hannan Meats in Northern Ireland was among food and drink from around the United Kingdom celebrated at a special event held in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.

The Northern Irish company provided award winning premium beef sourced from Glenarm Shorthorn cattle grass-fed on the lush pastures in county Antrim for the unique celebration of UK food.

The company, which is based at Moira in county Down and has collected a string awards for the quality and flavour of its beef in the UK Great Taste Awards, was the only Northern Ireland food processor chosen for the event in the FCO's famed Locarno suite.

Hannan Meats was among 14 companies providing food for the high profile event held to celebrate the premium quality of products from around the UK to over 500 invited guests. Leading the celebrations was Prime Minister David Cameron. Alison Price Catering developed the menu and organised the meal. Wine came from Nyetimber.

The event was held as part on the UK governments £30 million campaign, the biggest ever undertaken, to boost business and tourism throughout the UK during 2013/14 building on the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats, commenting on the event, says: "It was tremendous privilege for us to be asked to supply our salt-aged beef for such a prestigious and high profile event.

"Our beef was superbly prepared, cooked and presented, the best possible showcase of the rich flavour of the meat from our unique Himalayan Salt Chamber."

Hannan Meats had an unprecedented five beef products listed by the UK Guild of Fine Food in the Top 50 Foods in September. The Northern Irish company, which gained the Supreme Champion title in the Great Taste Awards 2012/13 for Italian style Guanciale, also set a new record by winning more gold stars than any other business in the awards. It was named the Northern Ireland Regional Golden Fork winner 2013/14.

The cattle on Glenarm Estate are reared to best practice, on a high clover, grass based system and the winter housing is of the highest welfare standard.

Mr Hannan adds: "Our Glenarm Shorthorn farmers produce exceptional cattle and finish them to their optimum level. They arrive with us in peak condition and this allows us to mature them to ensure superb flavour and texture."

Hannan Meats now supplies its quality beef to celebrity chefs such as Mark Hix in London and to Michelin starred restaurants in Paris.