Ground launches Year of Food and Drink Sandwich
Article written by Sam Butler
Food NI member Ground Espresso Cafés has launched a unique Year of Food and Drink sandwich in association with Around Noon Sandwiches in Newry.
The special sandwich is already proving popular with customers at the network of Ground cafes throughout Northern Ireland.
Based in Coleraine, Ground was formed by Co. Antrim entrepreneurs Darren and Karen Gardiner, both coffee enthusiasts. It is now the fastest growing coffee shop business in Northern Ireland
Ground’s Louise Moss says: “We wanted to do something original to mark Year of Food and Drink and reckoned a unique and premium quality sandwich would work with our customers and help to highlight what is an important initiative for the local industry. It is a further example of our commitment to local suppliers.”
Around Noon, a specialist in ‘food to go’ solutions, worked with Ground on the development of the sandwich also as part of its support for the Year of Food and Drink initiative to increase awareness of Northern Ireland food and drink.
David Graham, Around Noon’s Executive Head Chef, commenting on the new sandwich, says: “We were keen to create this sandwich for Ground 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.”
The sandwich is based on key ingredients from local suppliers. It’s 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, Co. Down.
Ground Espresso Cafes was established in 2001 in Coleraine. It’s a family owned and operated business. The company has around 12 cafes across Northern Ireland.
Established in 1989, Around Noon is a family owned and managed business that now employs 170 people at a state-of-the-art processing plant.
Around Noon currently has a portfolio of around 600 products – gourmet sandwiches, paninis, wraps, smoothies, juices, fresh fruit and yoghurt.
