Business

Around Noon Sandwiches from Newry making mark for Year of Food and Drink

Pictured with the new Year of Food and Drink Sandwich, Michele Shirlow, left, chief executive, Food NI, David Graham, executive chef, Around Noon, and Louise Moss, Ground
Pictured with the new Year of Food and Drink Sandwich, Michele Shirlow, left, chief executive, Food NI, David Graham, executive chef, Around Noon, and Louise Moss, Ground Pictured with the new Year of Food and Drink Sandwich, Michele Shirlow, left, chief executive, Food NI, David Graham, executive chef, Around Noon, and Louise Moss, Ground

A SPECIAL sandwich designed to mark Northern Ireland's Year of Food and Drink has been a hit on both sides of the Irish border, its makers have said.

The food offering by Around Noon Sandwiches in Newry was developed along with Ground Espresso Bars.

Around Noon wanted to raise aware of food and drink from the north, particularly in the Republic of Ireland, now its biggest and fastest growing market.

The company's executive head chef David Graham said: "We wanted to create a sandwich which would showcase the creativity of food production in Northern Ireland and could be used by us to show our support for this hugely important initiative to promote our excellent food and drink.

“What we’ve produced is a unique sandwich that demonstrates that Northern Ireland companies are creating products that blend traditional and contemporary ingredients and culinary expertise to provide outstanding taste.

“We’ve introduced the sandwich to our network of high-end foodservice clients in the Republic and been immensely encouraged by the feedback that they’ve received from their customers. Most of the ingredients are from local suppliers."

Around Noon said the the sandwich is a hand rolled sourdough baguette filled with sliced avocados, slow roasted tomatoes and peppery rocket from Willowbrook Foods in Killinchy, Co Down, with a creamy sriracha dressing from another Northern Ireland company, Rich Sauces in Newtownards.

The sandwich is on sale in the Republic and Northern Ireland is on the menu at Ground.

Established in 1989, Around Noon is a family owned and managed business that now employs 170 people.

It currently has a portfolio of around 600 products – gourmet sandwiches, paninis, wraps, smoothies, juices, fresh fruit and yoghurt.