Enterprise Minister launches new gourmet burgers for export

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster launched a new range of gourmet burgers made from local red meat and pork during a visit to Tenderlean in Derrylin.

The quality burgers are being manufactured and marketed by Tenderlean from completely new recipes created by local television chef and ambassador for good food in Northern Ireland, Jenny Bristow. As well as being available in Northern Ireland, the burgers will be targeted at retailers and caterers, particularly in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The gourmet burgers, which will appear under the established Jenny Bristow brand, are hand formed from Farm Quality Assured Beef and Ulster Pork and are free from additives and preservatives.

Speaking at the launch at Tenderlean’s County Fermanagh premises, Arlene Foster said: “Tenderlean and Jenny Bristow have given the traditional burger a new lease of life as a premium product using the very best locally-sourced ingredients.

“The introduction of the new ‘upmarket’ gourmet burger range is an example of Tenderlean’s strategic business approach, focussed on adding value to its established meat processing operations. It is also a further development in the company’s drive to establish a diversified variety of attractive and contemporary convenience foods. This is in line with initiatives by my department’s and Invest NI’s to assist the growth of the local food industry, especially in export markets.

“This strategy has also resulted in the company becoming the largest manufacturer of fresh, chilled pizzas in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.”

Mark McCaffrey, Managing Director of Tenderlean, which has been assisted by Invest NI through the Growth Accelerator Programme, said: “We saw a gap in the market for a range of gourmet burgers and asked Jenny Bristow to create original recipes for the products that would appear under her successful brand.

“Feedback from sampling sessions has been excellent. The range includes traditional beef, pork and lamb, as well as a new Chorizo-flavoured burger. As a result, we are confident that the new products will become just as popular with consumers as our ‘La Pizza’ branded pizzas and other convenience foods that we manufacture in Derrylin.

“The new burgers and our partnership with Jenny Bristow strengthen our reputation as a producer of a broad range of quality convenience meals, a fast growing and very dynamic sector in both the UK and Ireland.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Tenderlean is a family-owned and managed business which operates from a modern processing plant and has a long-standing reputation for excellence in processing beef and lamb products for leading food retailers.
2. The company employs over 100 people at its EU approved processing plant which operates to the highest British Retail Consortium and Bord Bia hygiene standards.
3. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.