Whats Coming Up?

Royal Highland Show. Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 June.
We really enjoyed our Highland Fling at the Royal Show in Edinburgh! As a first time exhibitor we did meet the odd raised and furrowed eye brow but after telling the Mash story and offering samples our products received very positive comments. Restaurateur, entrepreneur and celebrity chef, Nick Nairn took time out from his duties in the cookery theatre to pay us a visit, taking home some delicious Mash for dinner. We made many an acquaintance old and new and look forward to returning next year.

IFEX – IRISH FOOD EXHIBITION (trade event)
Tues 29 April – Thurs 1 May at the King’s Hall, Belfast.
IFEX is Northern Ireland’s food, drink, hospitality and retail exhibition. Visit us at stand number: B10A

Michele Shirlow & Clarke Black NI Good Food and Tracy Hamilton show off Mash Direct Products at IFEX

FOOD AND DRINK EXPO, BRIMINGHAM. Sun 6 – Wed 9 April.
We experienced a busy time at the Food and Drink Expo. It was great to meet many of our established customers and were thrilled to receive positive comments and feedback from perspective buyers.

JC STEWART FOODHALL, MAGHERAFELT.
We scampered along to JC Stewart’s on Saturday 12 April to take part in their local supplier day. It was great to meet with our local consumers and spend time talking about all things MASH.

Keep a look out for the Tesco Taste Roadshow.
The "Health" tour begins on Wednesday 23 April.
There will be lovely local food on offer including Mash Direct.

Mullahead Ploughing Society.
We certainly experienced a day rich in agricultural tradition at the 94th Mullahead Ploughing Match on Saturday 25th February. It was a great family day out not just for those involved in the competition, but for all who enjoy seeing the art of ploughing whether by tractor or horse.

Alongside 14 local suppliers we gave out free samples to the hungry ploughing enthusiasts in the Tesco marquee. We had a very busy day and were thrilled to talk about all things “Mash Direct” to special guests including local politicians who specifically asked to come and find out more about us.

We provided some entertainment for the young children with the “Mash Direct Potato Sculpting Competition”. The aim of the competition was to form and shape our Mashed potato, and then decorate with pieces of carrot, cabbage, parsnip and turnip. Grateful thanks to Frank Mitchell a very familiar face on our television screen, for taking time out to judge the competition. Best on show was a very well sculpted Tractor by Robbie Clarke from Pontzpass. Robbie proudly received at John Deere tractor for his handy work.

The teenagers were kept amused with the “Spud Chuckin’ Competition”. Top score of the day was an amazing 100 points and winner of a MP3 was Mark Brown from Markethill. We also had a colouring competition the winner will be announced after entries close, mid March.

A big thank you to all the Mash Direct team who worked so hard, we had a day to remember at the Mullahead Match.

The Mash Direct Team

Spud Chuckin'

Gavin, Alison and our Master Judge Frank Mitchell

Uncle Hugo Duncan loves Mash Direct

Robbie wins a big John Deere

Chapman’s Farm Shop, Portadown.

Saturday 8 December.
We know how Santa’s little helpers are so busy at this time of year, well so are the team at Mash Direct. We were serving up lots of delicious festive food at the Christmas Fair in the Farm Shop. There was certainly something to tickle everyone’s taste buds.

Little Sarah Chapman lends a helping hand.

Happy Christmas from all at Mash Direct.

Things at Mash Direct have been a little hectic to say the least the Christmas rush is evident everywhere.
Tastes of Britain Magazine. The January 2008 issue features an article by Edwin Oxlade all about “Mash Direct” check it out on page 19 & 20.

Christmas Cards. This year instead of sending Christmas cards via the post we will be supporting Action Cancer, Northern Ireland's leading charity working to save lives and support people affected by cancer.

Burns Night Suppers (25 January) are held all over the world by anyone who has a connection with Scotland, and even by some who don’t – any excuse for a wee party! You can be very sure that the combination of great traditional food including Mash Direct Neeps and Tatties, good company and a wee dram or twa will ensure a very good time had by all!

Christmas Party. A big thank you for the best Christmas party ever last Friday night! Some of us spent all day getting ready and others raced home, pulled on our glad rags and party shoes in double quick time. We enjoyed delicious food and a bit of craic into the wee small hours. Fred and Ginger danced oops - we mean Martin and Ann did a twirl – next stop “Strictly come dancing,” could Martin stick the pace?!

Gillian, Daiva & Sophie look after Neil!

What a team – our technicians Sophie & Rob.

“Who let the boys out?”
Gavin, Bobby, Lester & Gary.

Comber Fair on the Square

There certainly was the joyful spirit of Christmas at the first ever Fair on the Square in Comber. We joined with forty local business and crafty folk to promote the very best of Comber. It was a great opportunity to meet the community and share tasty Mash Direct samples. We were thrilled to be constantly complimented on the flavour and texture of our products.

BBC's Farmer of the Year

The search is on for the BBC's Farmer of the Year - part of the annual Food
and Farming Awards organised by the Radio 4's Food Programme and Farming
Today. Over the next three weeks, On Your Farm will feature the three
shortlisted candidates.

On Sunday 11 November it was the turn of Martin Hamilton, a vegetable grower
who now sells millions of trays of mashed potato and other traditional
dishes in supermarkets in Ireland, Scotland and England. The inspiration for
his business, Mash Direct, came after he and an engineer friend shared a
bottle of whiskey - barely three years later it is far exceeding the early
expectations. Steve Peacock and the judges Robert Clark, a retail analyst
and Christine Tacon, who runs the Co-Op's farming business, spend time with
the mash magnate for On Your Farm.

Steve Peacock and the judges Robert Clark, a retail analyst and Christine
Tacon, who runs the Co-Op's farming business, spend time at Mash Direct

Moneyrea Young Farmers’ Club visit ~ Tuesday 9 October
As the dark nights draw in, we welcomed seventy young farmers from Moneyrea Club for a farm and factory visit. After a talk in the Board Room, they made their way around the farm, and the factory tour proved to be the highlight of the evening. After supper the young people received Mash Direct products to take home and enjoy.

A taste of N.I. Halloween on Tour at Tesco

Keep a look out for the Taste of Northern Ireland sampling van zooming around the province this week. You'll have the opportunity to sample great quality local produce including Mash Direct products and support those who are passionate in bringing good food to you.