A Co Down butter making business has won a top Irish food award.
Abernethy Butter, which is based in Dromara, won the Food Award at this year's Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards, which celebrate local producers.
Allison and Will Abernethy, who are custodians of a near-lost tradition of handmade, hand-rolled butter in Ireland, began producing Abernethy Butter almost 11 years ago.
The couple, who have two children, produce a variety of flavours, including Dulse Butter, Black Garlic Butter, Smoked Butter, Chipotle Chilli & Smoked Paprika Butter, as well as handmade fudge and lemon curd.
Their butter, which is made at Beechtree Farm, where they live, is a unique dairy product, commercially unlike any other in Ireland in terms of the process as their
Their small-batch, slow-churned, hand-rolled butter, which is shaped with wooden pats at Beechtree Farm is made using Draynes Farm grass-fed and single-herd cream.
Speaking to the Irish News yesterday, Allison Abernethy said she and Will were "over the moon" to win the award.
"It is just really nice to be recognised by the Irish Guild for all our hard work. We are really, really honoured," she said.
The former nurse said the family business went from "strength to strength" after they were approached by chef, Heston Blumenthal, who was trying to source a hand made butter for his Michelin started restaurant, The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire.
Allison said he "loved" the samples sent to him and was soon placing orders.
Kristin Jensen, chair of the Irish Food Writers' Guild Food Awards, said: "The past year has seen a seismic shift in how people are thinking about their food with a renewed focus on traceability, sustainability and most importantly this year, supporting local.
"If this pandemic has any silver lining, it is the light that has been shined on the incredible, resourceful and innovative food producers of Ireland that have responded to the challenge, giving back to communities and ensuring a continued supply of and access to the highest-quality home-grown produce," she said.
