Salt aged beef from Hannan Meats in Northern Ireland was showcased as an integral part of the recent GREAT Festival of Creativity in Istanbul. The three-day event was developed by UK Trade and Investment as “a dynamic celebration of creativity in business.
Hannan Meats was the only Northern Irish company among nine UK food and drink producers. Food and drink products were organised by celebrated food writer Tom Parker Bowles and prepared by top chef Tom Kitchin and his team at the novel event in Istanbul. Hannan Meats was chosen for catering at the event because of the outstanding taste and quality of beef produced in the world’s biggest Himalayan salt ageing chamber at its plant in Moira, county Down.
Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats, a leading supplier of meat to foodservice organisations and high-end retailers, including Fortnum and Mason, in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France and Portugal, says: “Being asked to participate in this and future showcases is a marvellous endorsement of the innovation and creativity which underpin our business and help to set us apart in today’s competitive markets.
“this commitment to high quality and original products has led to a series of national awards from organisations such as the UK Guild of Fine Food. We delighted when Tom Parker Bowles approached us to supply beef for catering events associated with the showcase.”
The event recognises that creativity is at the heart of the very best brands and businesses, whether in design, fashion, engineering, art or commerce.
In the world’s great cities, the festivals will showcase the products, processes and people that are driving the new global economy. Cultural and commercial ambassadors will be on hand to help participating companies to explore partnership and investment opportunities.
The event in Istanbul was held at The Seed, a stunning venue overlooking the blue waters of the Bosphorus. The objective was to use a new and ambitious cross-sectoral platform to promote the UK as the most creative nation on earth, and generate business opportunities, showcasing seven creative industries: education; technology; design; fashion; luxury; food and drink, and healthcare.
It was sponsored by HSBC, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Jaguar Land Rover, De Montfort University and BBC Worldwide. Turkey’s largest private sector company, Koç, which sponsored a dinner for 60 on a historic Glasgow-built steamer, backed the historic showcase. The festival attracted 1,500 guests, including 146 British and 333 Turkish companies. 42 companies formed three accompanying parallel healthcare, luxury and creative cities trade missions.
The Festival created unprecedented awareness of the UK’s creative offering in Turkey’s fast-growing emerging market. Seventy two journalists from 34 different publications attended the festival. The marketing concept continues to Hong Kong and Shanghai.
