Celebrated chef showcases quality of Northern Irish beef

The outstanding quality of Glenarm Shorthorn beef from county Antrim aged in the unique Himalayan salt chambers at Hannan Meats in Moira was showcased by London celebrity chef, restaurateur and food writer Mark Hix at a special event in Northern Ireland.

The unique event, An Evening with Mark Hix, featured a special menu of ribs, sirloins and fillet of 'Mighty Marbled Glenarm Estate Beef' from grass-fed animals raised on the Glenarm Estate, ancestral home of the Earl of Antrim, in county Antrim.

The estate concentrates on organic farming techniques using pedigree shorthorn beef which is supplied exclusively to Hannan Meats, the Northern Irish award winning meat business that counts Mark Hix among its roster of high-end clients.

The beef is dry-aged by Hannan in salt chambers for a minimum of 28 days to provide a rich flavour and firm texture.

Hx has seven critically acclaimed restaurants in London and has been serving Glenarm Shorthorn beef for almost five years. He launched his Tramshed restaurant at Shoreditch with a menu of just 'Mighty Marbled' beef from Hannan and poultry.

Hix cooked for around 150 diners at the event at the Cultra Inn, near Belfast, part of Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland biggest hotel and hospitality business, a long-time customer of Hannan Meats.

Mark Hix says: "Hannan's Glenarm Shorthorn beef is tremendously popular in our restaurants including the Tramshed and Hixter, the group's latest addition. It's quite simply the best and tastiest steak around."

Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats, says: "The event highlighted what makes the Glenarm Shorthorn beef so special, a harmony of expertise. Our Glenarm Shorthorn farmers produce wonderful cattle and finish them on clover-rich pastures to their optimum level.

"The beef arrives with us in peak condition and this allows us to mature them in our salt chambers The net result is beef that eats as good as it gets."

Glenarm estate decided to convert to organic in 2008 in a bid to differentiate itself and secure a premium for its beef. Beef Shorthorn was chosen for its renowned marbling and great flavour.

Hannan's Glenarm shorthorn beef won acclaim in this year's UK Great Taste Awards including a Golden Fork for its taste and quality.