Northern Ireland specialist recruitment company, Tyson Wilson Recruitment is the first recruitment agency to be awarded a gold level innovator award from Innovate NI, on behalf of the Department for the Economy.
The government backed scheme helps businesses across Northern Ireland bring their ideas to the market to help drive innovation in their industry by recognising each business who applies as either silver, gold or platinum standard.
Tyson Wilson’s 2022 award comes off the back of their success two years ago when they won the silver standard for innovation as they embarked on a journey to become the first paperless recruitment agency in Belfast in 2020.
CEO and founder, Michelle Tyson believes this is a step in the right direction for other recruitment agencies to take inspiration from.
“Over the last year, we commercially launched our 2020 silver innovation idea of implementing app and video interviewing technology into the business. After testing it out, we recognised its success and applied for the Innovate NI awards again and were awarded the gold standard.
“Becoming paperless brings so many benefits to the recruitment process from both the candidates and recruiter point of view. For example, a candidate coming for a role with Tyson Wilson has a quicker journey as they receive applications faster which in turn speeds up the recruitment process.
“Investing in paperless technology also helps reduce harmful co2 emissions and helps us do our bit for the environment too” she said.
For those seeking employment, registering on the Tyson Wilson website has never been easier thanks to their new style which involves all interviews being conducted by telephone or video technology and if you’re a temporary worker then accessing payroll is done via an app.
Michelle says this virtual process is a result of how the pandemic has streamlined traditional processes and shaped how businesses recruit staff.
“The industry is changing, especially now that a lot of recruitment consultants are working remotely. So, you have to put these adaptations into place to be able to do that and it saves us a lot of time.”
Milliken Tours Ireland have taken the tour market to new heights with their bespoke experiences that take visitors to well known attractions, alongside lesser known sites and scenery.
Husband and wife team, Seamus and Bridie Milliken, are both qualified tour guides, and as locals they have an intimate, deep knowledge of The Causeway Coastal Route and The Antrim Glens area having lived in the area all their life.
“We were volunteer walk leaders with Glenarm Tourism’s walking group for 20 years and it was always something my husband wanted to pursue full time.” explained Bridie. “We did a level two tour guiding course and established the business in 2016. We both enjoy what we do – showcasing this beautiful part of the world to visitors from further afield.”
With their own vehicle they can escort up to six people, but can also offer a hire service minibus for up to 16 but always with the customer’s needs and wishes in mind.
“When somebody books us, we won’t take anyone else – it’s their own private tour,” explained Seamus. “First thing I always say is ‘it’s your day’ – you tell me when you want to stop or if there’s anything you really want to see or do – then I do my best to make it happen.”
As well as visitors from across the island their reach goes much further.
“A lot of people from North America have connections, especially here in County Antrim,” said Seamus “I’ve had people from the east coast of America – whose ancestors’ families left east Antrim way back in the 1700s and they are now coming back to trace where their family came from.
“They’re really wanting to discover their family’s story here as well as the tourist sights. A lot of people are definitely interested in their Irish and their Ulster-Scots roots.”
Milliken Tours Ireland can also accommodate lone walkers and groups on private guided walking tours.
“We have a great relationship with landowners and farmers with permission to walk on their land in The Antrim Glens, which isn’t normally accessible to the public so we can offer our guests special walks,” said Bridie.
“This adds to the current Ulster Way and Antrim Hills walks available for hikers. And we also follow ‘Leave no Trace’ principles”.
Seamus is a qualified Mountain leader and so is skilled to deal with all emergencies and is also first aid trained.
“We’re proud of where we live and really want to show off the places and things that make it special,” said Bridie. We get so much out of what we do, and we love explaining what life here is really like, covering both the past and present. Seamus is very interested in history and geography and he would have been soaking up knowledge even before we started the tours. You will always find him reading books about the area.”
As the business name suggests, Seamus can pick up guests from across Ireland, whether it is from airports or hotels to make sure that customers get the most out of their experience. Milliken Tours Ireland can also whisk guests away for a few days across the island, whether it’s coasting along the Wild Atlantic Way, or tailoring the route to feel a deeper connection with their Irish heritage.
And, of course as a local he knows the best places to stop for something to eat, a coffee, or maybe even a pint of the black stuff.
Milliken Tours Ireland also carries out a calendar of monthly community guided walks on the third Sunday of each month, organised in association with Glenarm Tourism to various locations from coast to surrounding hills, of different length and duration. Monthly walks are always publicised on Facebook, or locals can pick up the annual leaflet with all guided walks advertised.
It was a pack of cards and an encounter with a famous comedian and magician that turned the young Steve Wilson from curious teenager into budding child magician. Little did he know then that these experiences would lead to a 25 year relationship with Circusful, formerly Belfast Community Circus School.
“My fondest memory was meeting Tommy Cooper at a magic convention in London. I was a wee nipper of 13 and he was a giant.”
“I bought some cards in Hamleys toy store in London in the 70s and this pack of cards got me into magic,” he explained.
After establishing his career as a professional magician, performing at the likes of the Royal Silver Jubilee Celebrations in London and at children’s parties, Steve moved to Ireland permanently in 2000.
His connections with the Belfast Circus School via fellow Circusful performer, Bucky The Clown, led to Steve creating the building blocks of his original character, “Wonderful World of Mr Wizzy”.
“I wasn’t very academically good so I was always going to be a performer. I did workshops, and some shadowing for the first month to get up to a certain skill level”
“It’s all Bucky’s fault but I’ve never looked back.”
Originally, Mr Wizzy performed as a double act around Ireland showcasing highly visual and entertaining mobile performances.
During his early career, Steve took part in the Special Olympics ceremony held in Dublin where he brushed shoulders with U2, The Corrs and Bon Jovi.
“Back in the day we did the Special Olympics at Croke Park. We were there for three days and Nelson Mandela was there but hadn’t arrived yet so someone was invited to get up on stage to be him for the camera angles. So I went up.
“We did a big finish for 30K people in 7 minutes.” he explained.
When he isn’t performing, Steve enjoys his role as a Circusful trainer where he teaches workshops to enthusiastic participants who have the opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence, build resilience and make long lasting friendships.
“We’ve got them all wired. It helps to build their self-esteem for school or a whole range of things. Circus breaks down all the barriers. It’s not like rugby at school where if you don’t fit in, you’ll be singled out. It’s not competitive at all”.
Over the years, Mr Wizzy has led classes for disabled people and people who are recovering from strokes, he finds this work the most fulfilling.
“One of the things we have been doing over the years are workshops with disabled people which I love with a passion, I must say. When we come back from the workshops, we can’t believe that we’ve had the privilege to work in this way – it’s very rewarding.”
Steve worked with a woman who had had a stroke a few years ago. “This lady was blind and I used juggling balls with her and she held a juggling ball and burst into tears as her carers had all told her she couldn’t feel anything in her hand.”
Although his colourful career has meant he’s travelled far and wide and performed to a variety of people, Steve believes that Belfast is the perfect place to do what he loves.
“My favourite place to perform is undoubtedly Belfast because we know everybody from the school, so we don’t have to try too hard to get an audience.
“We already know the people in the audience and with the Festival of Fools, we have theatre on our doorsteps here – it’s brilliant.” he said.
Steve continues to move forward with the tight knit Circusful family to connect, empower and inspire the people of Northern Ireland and beyond through high-quality circus tuition and performance.
“It’s a family. It’s the circus family.”To find out how you can get involved with Circusful, visit https://circusful.org
The self-proclaimed Jack of all trades, Hillas Smith aka Mr H, is a popular circus and street performer for Circusful, formerly known as Belfast Community Circus School. As well as performing, Hillas plays an active role in leading outreach programmes that engage young people across the country.
Joining the Circus wasn’t the obvious career path for Hillas. As a young boy he engaged in traditional sports like rugby until he had a chance encounter with someone at university who sparked his interest in all things circus and performing.
“At university, I met someone who taught me to juggle and then taught me to stilt walk. It all snowballed from there.”
From here Hillas started performing in acrobatic shows which he took to ‘like a fish to water’.
Following a brief stint in Europe, where Hillas joined forces with two Erasmus students from Germany, he returned to Ireland where he regularly juggled on street corners in Galway.
Dubliner Hillas, 49, believes there is a ‘special kind of character’ that likes to perform in the street.
“I love the random nature of it. It can be something as small as what somebody says in reaction to what you’ve done, which just fires your imagination and takes you to a new place.” he said.
As the arts and culture scene took off in Belfast in the early 2000’s, Hillas decided to leave his much-loved home in Copenhagen to ‘catch the wave’ of the upcoming Northern Irish scene.
“I came to Belfast to visit a friend in 2001 and fell into work very quickly after having a dry patch in Copenhagen.”
“I was very tied into the air of positivity in Belfast. There was a real feeling of change, like something had shifted from the late 90s as the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival had begun and Festival of the Fools was taking shape.
“I actually deferred my return to Copenhagen a couple of times and then decided to relocate to Belfast, which took everyone in Copenhagen by surprise as they knew I had started to feel at home there.” he explained.
Hillas combines his various juggling disciplines with acrobatic skills, as well as dramatic fire performances under his clown character ‘Mr H’.
“The clown character was something that developed slowly as I got to know my own abilities, and I was heavily influenced by silent movie stars like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy.
“There’s a kind of timelessness to it.” he said.
Watching the audience’s faces light up inspires Hilas to keep performing centre stage.
“By doing the physical comedy you give the audience permission to laugh at another human being’s carelessness, stupidity, clumsiness, mishaps.
“It’s a really joyous thing to get a group of people to laugh together. There’s a gorgeous sense of community.”
When he’s not being laughed at, Hillas teaches circus skills to adults and families as well as children and young people, a role which he finds immensely rewarding.
“The ethos in the circus world is meeting people where they are, whatever age. My job as a trainer is to see what type of skill that person will enjoy, how they learn, and how I can help them to get the most out of what they’re doing.
“Our teaching method is very much an open conversation and we don’t have a fixed endpoint as we believe the process of learning is far more important,” he explained.
Alongside this, he is an integral part of the Circusful’s outreach programmes in communities all over Northern Ireland.
These projects include the Prison Arts Foundation where Hillas worked with inmates of Hydebank Young Offenders’ Centre.
“We brought a group of untrusting, suspicious young men on a journey of self-exploration and self-expression where they learned to trust us, the circus tutors, as well as each other, and to gain in confidence sufficiently to get up in front of their peers and perform slapstick and comedy in an environment where being laughed at is a big cultural taboo.”
Hillas believes the social circus mission is the most important element of Circusful’s work within the community,
“We provide an environment where children and young people are free to be themselves, without judgement, and can learn through the process of ‘try, fail and grow’ in a supportive atmosphere where everyone’s successes are celebrated.”
To find out how you can get involved with Circusful, go to circusful.org
‘Carved at the Castle’ offers a variety of unique traditional craft courses, giving you the chance to learn how to create something distinctive in limestone that is 74 million years old.
Run by The Rock Stone Masonry in the picturesque Glenarm Castle estate, ‘Carved at the Castle’ have a variety of courses for people wanting to learn a new skill and leave with a love for this heritage craft.
Nathan Morrow, founder of The Rock Stone Masonry explained that beginners will get to hand carve a v-cut letter in local ancient limestone.
“If you are feeling eager you can carve your own house number and proudly display it at your front door,” he said. “This is a great hands-on insight for those with an interest in traditional skills or to develop skills further in a controlled environment.
“Participants are taught by fully qualified stonemasons.”
“Every step of the process is included from correctly stencilling to learning how to use the tools and carving out the letters. You are guaranteed to have fun and leave having learnt a new skill and love for this special heritage craft.”
From learning the principles, through to the process of making a rough-cut, participants then pick a piece of stone, already selected for size and work, to carve letters or numbers. These pieces of stone are local to Glenarm, having been quarried there since the late 18th Century.
Experienced tutors will then guide participants through the various processes involved in a hands-on, small ground setting.
Those taking part vary from those wanting to learn a new craft skill through those with some experience, but it is pitched at a level for everyone.
On the beginners course, Nathan explains that participants will learn the precise nature of ‘V-cut’ lettering.
“To give you an example of how precise it is, it is like working with a sharp pencil,” he said. “Once you make a pencil sharp with a long lead you can press too hard and break the lead, but you don’t want to carve without understanding how to apply pressure to a pencil line itself.
“The chisel has to split that pencil line. The precision of cutting a letter is halving a pencil line.
“Participants initially don’t think too much about it but when they start into it, they realise you’re actually taking the stone down to halve a pencil line.”
Alongside the beginners course there are additional opportunities at a beginner level to branch further including lime pointing, random rubble building and drystone walling whilst practicing maintenance and repairs throughout the Glenarm Estate, alongside Nathan and his team of stonemasons. More advanced courses delve further into high/low relief carving and three-dimensional sculptures.
The courses are held at Glenarm Castle Estate and run on alternative Saturdays, from 9am to 3pm, with up to 14 participants, with a low level bench for accessibility.
We intend to release further weekday dates and increase to every weekend. Further dates will be added as required. Private group bookings and tailored classes/demonstrations can be requested via email therockstonemasonry@gmail.com
Exclusive NI Tours new fleet of Range Rovers and XJ Jaguars is offering visitors tours and chauffeur services that transport them in the lap of luxury and deliver special bespoke experiences.
Owner, Trevor Patterson believes that personal service and luxury cars are what makes his company appeal to those who want to see the best of Northern Ireland in style.
“The cars are high-end and that is part of where we set the standard by providing a top quality service,” he explained. “It’s not just like taking a taxi to the Giant’s Causeway for a quick look round or a stop to grab pictures at the Dark Hedges. We provide much more than that.”
Exclusive NI Tours offer a range of bespoke chauffeur driven tour itineraries to locations such as the Causeway Coastal Route featuring the Antrim Glens, the Mountains of Mourne, Derry / Londonderry through to Donegal and Belfast.
Those who want something tailored for their own needs can be accommodated, as can those who want to explore their family roots with genealogy trips available. Chauffeured transfers are offered to and from the airport with the option for guests to take in some sights along the way. Equally, for those guests who are on a tight schedule, direct transfers can be offered,
With 10 years-experience in delivering high level driving services, Trevor has been able to tailor the Exclusive NI Tours experience to customers with high expectations.
“While we operate at a very professional level, we offer relaxed tours,” he explained. “We are not about to rush our clients. If they want to have an hour or two for afternoon tea at the Ballygally Castle hotel or stop off for a pint of Guinness at The Crosskeys Inn, that’s not a problem.
“It’s all about making sure they have an enjoyable time and exceeding their expectations.” In developing the business Trevor was keen to make sure he could show off the best of the country.
“I enjoy showing people the best of Northern Ireland, especially the history I’m really interested in that” he said. “That’s my favourite bit of the job, I’m a person who likes to please a guest. I like when someone comes here, and they’ve enjoyed the day and they’ve had a good time.”
And, one thing that always exceeds what they expect, is Northern Ireland itself.
“They love the scenery,” Trevor said. “They find the Glens mystical and very engaging. They go through the nine Glens and then suddenly they’re on the Antrim plateau. It seems to them that it changes very quickly, and they love that diversity.”
With both the XJ Jaguar and the Range Rover there is flexibility, with each having their benefits.
“Americans are very familiar with Range Rovers and with the space and increased visibility they can enjoy a better view,” he said. “In addition if they are being collected, for example from Dublin Airport there Is tonnes of space, even if they have a lot of luggage.
“On other occasions they prefer the Jaguar, such as when they are going to an evening do, or a black tie event.”
In addition Exclusive NI Tours has links with Slemish private airfield so can arrange Flexifly private aircraft hire from London City and other airports.
“It is the flexibility that we offer in delivering a unique Northern Ireland experience, with security and safety,” Trevor explained. “And, with a maximum of four for each tour we want every client to feel that they are being pampered and to ensure they have no hassle or worries throughout their time with us.
“They want the Northern Ireland experience in luxury and we make sure they can explore our heritage, folklore, culture and scenery. Of course, they are never short of dramatic photo opportunities.”
For those with specific interest in genealogy, Trevor has linked up with Natalie Bodle of Roots Revealed. Exclusive NI Tours can curate Natalie’s genealogy research into bespoke, one-of-a-kind tours through their family lineage.
To learn more about Exclusive NI Tours pre-planned tours or enquire about a bespoke tour go to exclusivenitours.com
The Curran Court Hotel has been a major feature of Larne for more than fifty years. Speak to anyone in Larne and they’ll talk fondly of the Curran Court; such is its special place in the hearts of the local community.
Owner and Director, Brian McRandal, purchased the hotel in 2017 and he believes that the Curran Court has something to offer everyone.
“I really believe that the Curran Court Hotel is the perfect – and most practical – spot for locals and tourists alike,” he said. “Not only is it ideal for those coming off the Stranraer or Liverpool ferries, who need a room for the night, but it has increasingly become the ‘go to’ place for the local community to have a great night out and a tasty meal to boot!”
The hotel’s location means that it is the ideal location for a tour of Northern Ireland, since it’s not only a mere 25 minutes from Belfast, but it also opens up the way to the nine glens of Antrim; making it the perfect spot to begin a trip along Northern Ireland’s world-famous Causeway Coastal Route – a road journey, which will enable you to immerse yourself in the exhilarating outdoors and enjoy the serenity of being ‘unplugged’.
“In addition to our perfect location,” Brian continued, “we pride ourselves on our ability to offer ‘affordable luxury’ thanks to our long–serving, knowledgeable and well-known staff, who are dedicated to providing a first-class customer service and who are willing to go that extra mile to make your stay as superb as possible.
“Our hotel’s 32 modern and spacious guest rooms include twin, double, accessible and superior rooms, so, even if you’re on your own, you’ll have the benefit of having either a twin or double room all to yourself! We also offer great value dine and stay packages and these have proved particularly popular.’
The Curran Court Hotel’s restaurant is renowned for its well-selected menu, which is awash with fresh, local ingredients, including Glenarm shorthorn beef. To add to the lip-smacking quality of the ingredients, everything at the Curran Court Hotel is cooked from scratch, so you know that everything you’re eating is straight off the grill.
Since taking over the hotel, Brian has made sweeping changes to both the premises layout and the menu, but he continues to forge ahead with additional innovative developments.
Sales & Marketing Manager Glenn Mann said: “During the lockdowns of the last year, we continued to improve what the Curran Court could offer existing and potential new customers. Last summer, we opened a new spacious and rustic outdoor dining area, which seats eighty and comes complete with awnings and overhead heaters so it’s suitable for all year round use.
“This spring we have carried out extensive renovations inside the hotel to create a beautiful new public bar, offering a relaxed and casual dining experience, that perfectly feeds into our outdoor area. The 2 areas combine to become Katy Jane’s Bar & Beer Garden. It’s named after my mother and mother-in-law, to encompass the family and friends feel that we wanted to create. We have also developed a new bar menu to suit all tastes, which includes small plates that are ideal for sharing. We feel that it will be the ideal place to meet up and spend time with friends and family that we missed so much during lock down. Not forgetting the Katy Jane’s Library, which is an ideal spot to relax, meet friends and enjoy a coffee and snack from their Lite Bites menu.
“Our main restaurant is also now able to offer an à la carte dining experience to more than 100 customers!”
Brian wants the Curran Court to have a different feel to it, going forward. “Previously, for example, there was nowhere for people to come in and sit for a coffee. Now we have a few Chesterfield sofas and high-backed chairs. We also have a library section with big armchairs where visitors can take afternoon tea served in fine China – complete with linen tablecloths – so there’s a complete shift in atmosphere. It’s like being transported back to a period in time when life was more relaxed and more ‘polished’.
“To wash your gastronomically-delicious food down, the Curran Court Hotel has an extensive drinks’ menu that includes classic cocktails, a wide selection of gins, rums and flavoured vodkas. Or, if the mood takes you, you can even round off the evening with one of the hotel’s special frozen dessert cocktails! Lip-smacking and luscious!
Great food….great prices….great service. What more could you want from a hotel that’s the gateway to one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions?
To book a stay or obtain more information on dining experiences visit currancourthotel.co.uk
Where do you go to get your groceries? If your first thought was your local supermarket, you are not alone. Shopping in large grocery stores became the norm for many of us, and we rely on these outlets more than we realise. They are convenient, filled to the brim with seemingly every product you could imagine and have a price point that fits most pockets.
From afar it seems like the perfect solution, but we all witnessed what happened in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic turned life on its head and among many others, highlighted the fragility of our food economy and the part supermarkets play in it.
The University of Oxford describes our food system as “a complex set of interconnected practices and relationships that ultimately deliver food from farms, processing facilities, factories, warehouses, and retailers, to the dinner table.”
The industrial food system is built for scale and efficiency with an aim to maximise production, reduce cost, and function much like factories.
Although many supermarkets and producers are taking steps to include the origins of their products on their labels, there is still not enough transparency around where our food actually comes from. This industrialised structure offers customers accessibility to a wider range of products at more affordable prices but has economic and environmental impacts that many are not aware of.
Industrial agriculture is notorious for using a range of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides in their processes to maximise output, some of which stays present in the soil long after the crops are harvested. The products are then processed in factories, stabilised with preservatives and packaged in plastic, all occurring before they are loaded onto long haul freights, planes, lorries to arrive in distribution centres and eventually to supermarket shelves.
BBC Good Food reported that “DEFRA estimates that moving food is responsible for 25 per cent of all miles covered by heavy goods traffic in the UK. Transporting food within, to and around the UK produces 19 million tonnes of CO2 annually – equivalent to around 5.5 million typical cars.”
The length of the supply chains involved in industrial food systems result in a fragile structure as any slight disruption throughout the intricate process can halt the supply chain at any time.
However, this industrial food system is not the only one available to our economy. While our modern supermarkets heavily rely on large-scale agriculture, large scale production and precise, uninterrupted international food trade and fast turnaround times, the alternative slow food system focuses on a more resilient structure.
As the resilient alternative to this industrial cycle that many in the industry are championing, Slow Food is focused on returning to the traditional methods and celebrating all things local.
The not for profit grassroots organisation, Slow Food was set up in Italy in the late 1980s in a bid to promote traditional food preparation methods and locally sourced ingredients, going against the arrival of the American fast-food chain McDonald’s in Rome. The eco-gastronomic organisation now has around 100,000 members in over 150 countries.
Recognising and raising awareness of the negative impact the industrial food system had on society, the economy and the environment, the organisation ignited a Slow Food movement: a new way of conscious consumerism that takes seasonality, locality and tradition into account.
A slow, or resilient food system can take on many forms, starting with us as individuals making a conscious effort to engage with producers, venues and outlets that are aligned with the slow food values, to foraging, growing our own produce and going to local farmers’ markets.
Any involvement in the movement can make a significant difference in local communities and build a more sustainable, resilient and eco-friendly food system.
As the first accredited Slow Food destination in Northern Ireland, the Causeway Coast and Glens have been spearheading the move toward this resilient system and together with Taste Causeway, the collaborative network of local food and drink businesses.
From exciting slow food events to highlighting producers and awarding them with Slow Food accreditation, Taste Causeway and Slow Food NI are putting local suppliers and venues at the forefront of consumers’ minds, one business at a time.
Taste Causeway is delivering Slow Food Causeway with funding from Tourism NI in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Since November 2021, the topic of Slow Food has been on everyone’s lips thanks to the Slow Food Causeway campaign which launched in November 2021.
For the past four months, both producers and businesses alike have been busy putting on an exciting range of events, dining experiences, tours and special menus celebrating the unique Slow Food and drink culture of the Causeway Coast and helping spread the grassroots movement around Northern Ireland to accomplish a much more delicious and sustainable future.As locals open up to a new and exciting world of all things Slow through the campaign, there are plenty of other ways that you can follow to keep embracing the Slow Food conversation.
1. Check out food deliveries in your local area
Slow Food can start at home. With many Taste Causeway and Slow Food Causeway approved businesses offering a delivery service, it has never been easier to source high quality, local produce straight to the dinner plates of homes across the province.
Slow Food Northern Ireland Director Paula McIntyre was delighted to discover that during the Coronavirus lockdowns in 2020, a lot of the popular eateries along the North Coast were still delivering their goods.
“A lot of our Taste Causeway people were delivering. I got a delivery of Lacada Ale, a delivery from Corndale Farm, Warke’s Deli, Ursa Minor bread and Glenballyeamon Eggs” she said.
2. Be open to trying new things
One of the main ethos of Slow Food is being open to trying new produce and uncovering new food favourites, particularly from your local area.
Paula recommends that when eating out or buying produce, you think carefully and consider the origin of the items.
The popular fish restaurant in Portstewart, Native Seafood and Scran, has been challenging traditional buying behaviour for fish and seafood, selling and cooking only locally caught fish.
“Native Seafood and Scran opened just before the pandemic and have sold so much native seafood since then. Before this, people were buying salmon, which is not slow food by any stretch of the imagination.” Paula said.
3. Ask questions
Embracing the Slow Food movement also requires you to be more curious and have the confidence to challenge producers and businesses in your local area.
Paula warns to be mindful when reading menus advertising ‘local sea bass’, “Restaurants will put on menus ‘local sea bass’ but in our waters, it’s illegal to fish commercially so you need to call them out.”
When you directly engage with producers or restaurant staff, you can safely enjoy the food knowing that the beef is from down the road, the fish has come off the boat around the corner which plays a big difference to the experience of the food.
“If you’re looking at the menu and it doesn’t say where the steaks come from, just ask.”
4. Visit your local farmers market
The Slow Food movement emphasises buying from vendors based in your community or area instead of solely relying on big chain supermarkets.
It’s a good habit to check the labels of your food to confirm it was made by a local producer or grown by a local farmer.
Contact farmers in your area and buy from them directly so you have access to fresh, local food. Get to know your local farmers so you know the history of your food and how it is grown.
Paula believes that buying local produce can help you rediscover new ways of cooking, “People can get back into rediscovering veg like cabbage and different varieties of potato.”
“The possibilities are endless with what you can do with them.”
5. Cookat home from scratch
Following the Slow Food movement involves making an effort to cook your own meals at home on a daily basis.
Whilst this can be overwhelming if you live a busy lifestyle, you can try to create a meal plan and buy local ingredients at the beginning of the week so you have them already in your cupboards.
Every little helps and by preparing meals at home with fresh ingredients, you have the power to make the Slow Food choice and cook with as many ingredients as you can where you know exactly where it comes from.
6. Make meals a social event with others
The Slow Food Movement focuses on slowing down when it comes to eating and sharing meals with others.
So by getting in the habit of having weekly meals with your family or friends, where you all sit down at the table, connect and make conversation with another.
Taste Causeway is delivering Slow Food Causeway with funding from Tourism NI in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Major Industry recruitment campaign critical part of a strategy to address staffing issues and skills shortages
Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism industry has been one of the economic success stories, but even before the pandemic skills shortages were hitting the sector, an issue amplified by Brexit and lockdowns resulting in a staffing crisis.
Employer-led network the Hospitality & Tourism Skills network (HATS) has partnered with Tourism NI to spearhead a multi-channel advertising campaign to combat the crisis and promote the breadth of exciting opportunities that the industry has to offer potential job seekers.
Roisin McKee, director of the HATS network is clear there’s a need to restore confidence in the sector so that it is recognised as a stable and vaible option for fulfilling careers
“To help the sector recover, we urgently need to support businesses to fill current vacancies and to raise the profile of positions with good employers and inspire people to consider a career in the industry.”
There are incredible opportunities for people to join this industry yet there are still people who have misconceptions about the types of jobs available and the required skills. Employers are looking for people with personality and passion”
The industry recruitment campaign aligns employers’ needs, a portal for job applicants, as well as a best practice charter.
Running until the end of March 2022, the campaign features a series of quirky eye-catching job descriptions across billboards, outdoor advertising and social media to attract attention and highlight the dynamic and fast-paced roles available, helping to attract new recruits.
“We have an ambition to be able to attract, develop and retain the future talent that the industry needs,” Roisin explained.
We want to champion people at the heart of the industry and change the narrative – to be seen as an exciting industry offering quality jobs”
“And at the same time, focus on retaining the people that are already in the industry.”
Whilst recruitment challenges are not new to the sector, the combination of skills shortages pre-Covid with the pandemic lockdowns and the impact of Brexit have exacerbated the problem.
“You’ve had that start-stop nature of lockdown and the uncertainty and that forced people to give up on the sector,” said Roisin.
“People’s priorities have changed and we’ve also seen a lot of overseas workers that the sector is reliant on to help fill vacancies have returned home. The impact has limited their businesses’ ability to be able to operate at full capacity.”
As the hospitality and tourism sector begins to look forward there are key roles that are hard to recruit for, including kitchen staff, food and beverage roles, housekeeping and mid-management.
Roisin believes the new campaign will help address some of the issues but recognises that the industry has wider opportunities.
“We as consumers mostly experience customer facing roles,” she explained.
“However, a career in the industry is not limited to the reception, bar or the restaurant. There’s a wealth of diverse roles back of house and in supporting roles such as finance, HR, marketing and the wider visitor experience.
“Self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities are also a huge pull for many entering the sector. We have people who follow their passion in areas such as craft beers and whiskey for example, and open up distilleries.”
For employers the campaign provides a chance to reach out.
“The campaign on its own isn’t enough. Businesses have a key role to play in showcasing their vacancies whether they’re part time, full time, entry level or management,” Roisin explained.
“And they can do that for free via Careerscope, the campaign job portal run by Springboard. “The opportunities will then be promoted to the job seekers that are being targeted by the campaign. We encourage businesses where possible to promote the flexibility and training offered in the roles to encourage more applications.”
Roisin said that with the challenges to attract and retain staff companies are looking at what they can offer.
“Many employers were already making great strides to actually address working practices, the culture, terms and conditions, pay and so on.
“There are many things that employers are doing.
“They are looking at addressing pay, improving work/life balance, offering perks and incentives, whether that be discounts on products and experiences or health insurance benefits.
“They recognise that they want to recognise and reward staff and set out progression and development opportunities too.”
As the HATS network was founded by a group of core leading employers from the sector from across both hospitality and tourism the employer component is vital explained Roisin.
“Leading employers recognised that the attraction and retention of talent was something that the industry needed to get involved in to address the situation.
“They’ve come together as part of the HATS network to put a plan in place to actually look at the activities and the solutions to be able to tackle these challenges. This campaign is just one of those solutions that has been taken forward.”
“To demonstrate that the industry is offering quality job experiences we’re also asking recruiting employers to sign up to implementing ‘Our Hospitality & Tourism Commitment’ in their business – a voluntary code of working practices developed in partnership with leading employers which covers critical areas such as working hours and learning and development.
“Whilst employer-led, the overarching objectives of the HATS network to address attraction, retention and employee engagement also involve everyone else with a stake in the sector.
“It’s critical to have that cohort of employers but also the trade partners and delivery partners from government and education,” said Roisin.
“All of them have committed to coming together to see where we can impact positively on the sector’s issues around skills challenges.”
The ambition of the HATS network also goes beyond the immediate recruitment issues and looks to the longer term.
“There’s wider activity going on in terms of sign-posting training support and putting a spotlight on the career development pathways,” said Roisin.
“There are many opportunities for people to come into the industry, whether that’s through entry-level academy programmes and progressing on to apprenticeships and other programmes.
“From the HATS network perspective, we see the industry recruitment campaign as being a catalyst to create a better awareness of our industry, helping to bring people in.
“We want to be able to progress people on a career pathway. Whether that’s moving vertically or horizontally in the industry to progress their careers.”
The HATS network, which was set up in December 2019, brings together a diverse mix of employers from across the hospitality and tourism sector alongside industry associations and key delivery partners from government and education in order to collectively address issues around sector image, attractiveness and skills development into and within the sector.
The HATS network project is supported by Invest Northern Ireland under its Collaborative Growth Programme.
