Chef Gary Stewart explores Rathlin Island
Renowned local Chef Gary Stewart is a true advocate for local produce and the vibrant food heritage of the North Coast. His support for artisan producers, retailers, and foodie experience providers is evident at his restaurant Tartine at Distillers Arms Bushmills.
Gary eagerly supported when his good friend and occasional collaborator, Chef Rob Curley, announced a unique pop-up Slemish Market Supper Club on Rathlin Island to showcase the island’s bountiful sea life. Gary is a Rathlin Island regular; earlier in the season, he invited his team from Tartine at Distillers Arms to join him for a day out in Rathlin, where they toured the island and explored this extraordinary destination’s internationally revered birdlife sanctuary.
This most recent Rathlin Island adventure began at the local Rathlin Cooperative shop, managed by Ksenia Zywczuk. When not leading foraging tours, she runs the charming cooperative store that supplies the island with essential goods. Gary left behind his signature Distillers Pickle Sauce and Distillers Raspberry and Apple Sauce, which Ksenia agreed to add to her impressive collection of local products, including Broighter Gold oils and the Islander Kelp range, to name but a few.
As Gary made his way to the supper club, he couldn’t resist a bit of foraging himself. He gathered some fresh meadowsweet to accompany the bottle of Paula McIntyre Gin and Troughton’s lemon-infused tonic he brought along as an aperitif. Rathlin Island offers an abundance of wild foods, with seaweeds, kelp, seafood, and easily foraged edibles, making it the perfect location for Chef Rob Curley to create a six-course meal showcasing the island’s natural bounty. The menu featured succulent lobster and crabs from Benji McFaul, Rathlin Seabites from Ksenia Zywczuk, and a selection of freshly picked offerings from Slemish Market Garden. Rob Curley is a culinary wizard known for his imaginative and unconventional approach to sustainable, authentic, and delicious food. Gary complimented the main dishes with a selection of ales from Portrush brewery Lacada.
To further enhance the immersive experience, the lively ‘sesh’ style of North Coast Trad provided a fitting soundtrack. After a delicious lunch with great company, Gary couldn’t resist some more foraging at the water’s edge, collecting fresh seaweed before reluctantly boarding the ferry back to Ballycastle. The return journey was enlivened by the impromptu performance of North Coast Trad, delighting weary tourists and creating lasting memories of Gary Stewart’s cherished destination.
To reserve a table at Tartine at Distillers Arms or to check for your local stockist of the Distillers pickle sauce range go to Tartine at Distillers Arms website now.
Paul Kane unlocks the cellar gems at Tartine at Distiller's Arms
Tartine at Distiller’s Arms restaurant in the charming town of Bushmills is a culinary gem.
The restaurant boasts an impressive wine selection curated by Manager and Wine expert, Paul Kane. Born and raised in Bushmills, Paul has many years of hospitality experience behind him and a great passion for exciting wines.
Tartine has a long-established relationship with the esteemed wine merchant James Nicholson who has won plaudits across every sector of the wine trade.
Paul curates the wine list by engaging with the JN Masters and takes team members to exclusive tasting events with JN Wines. This dedication and passion ensure that Tartine at Distiller’s Arms boasts a wine list that blends the finest wines from both Old World and New emerging countries, including the Gold Medal winner Altosur, Malbec 2021 Mendoza, Argentina which achieved 97 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
This great value red is lauded for its sumptuous richness and depth, all the malbec traits with a chocolatey sheen. Another stand-out gem is Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, A bright, fresh, citrus-driven white from one of Marlborough’s top producers. Pure, yet restrained, with a juicy citrus core and a backdrop of honeydew melon, pears and apples that leads to a mellow and rounded texture on the finish.
The extensive wine list reflects Paul Kane’s dedication to offering something to suit every palate and pocket. Whether it’s an approachable house-style wine or a more robust wine of character, Paul can uniquely wow your senses. He can assist guests with expert wine pairings for their chosen Tartine dishes and seasonal specials. Paul believes great wine can elevate a meal and make it a truly memorable experience. His team are always on hand to guide guests through the wine list and offer recommendations.
In addition to the extensive wine list, indulge in the selection of exclusive, rare bottles from the cellar, reserved especially for those with a taste for the finest wines. Tartine at Distiller’s Arms is an award-winning restaurant in the historic village of Bushmills.
The restaurant’s dedication to offering exceptional food and wine, coupled with the warm hospitality of the front-of-house team, make it a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
Great value dining for early diners
Tartine at Distillers Arms in Bushmills on the North Coast is a popular award-winning restaurant with an early dining menu providing exceptional value for its customers. During the summer, Tartine continues to offer this early dining menu despite the volume of visitors to the Causeway Coast. Tartine at Distillers Arms remains determined to keep loyal regulars and visitors happy with their great value early dining package.
The Early Dining Menu offers two courses with the choice of a glass of house wine, a half pint of draught beer, a bottle of beer, or a soft drink for £25. They have also incorporated the option to upgrade your beverage choices for a small supplement which greatly widens the offering for customers who prefer wider choices from the impressive wine and beverage list.
The summer season on the North Coast can be hectic, and the majority of guests are looking to book tables between 6.30 and 8.30 pm. Tartine at Distillers Arms opens its doors at 5 pm, and its newly launched online reservation system offers the opportunity to secure a reservation for this excellent value menu during the available time slots from 5 pm, last orders for this menu is 6.30 pm so be sure to allow time for pre-dinner drinks and browsing the menu when booking.
Booking online is easy; click on this link, Book Now, or call Team Tartine at 028 2073 1044.
The early dining menu at Tartine has something for everyone, from classic dishes like Sirloin steak, chips, French fried onions, mushrooms, tomatoes & pepper sauce to comforting favourites like Roast chicken supreme with champ, buttered spinach & wild mushroom sauce. This well-designed menu includes fresh fish dishes and popular vegetarian and vegan options with a reasonable supplement for premium dishes.
Chef Proprietor Gary Stewart tells us, ‘We have offered an early dining discount for many years and are delighted to say it has its own strong following, so much so we daren’t take some of our guests all-time favourites off the menu.
Dishes such as our Guinness & leek sausages wrapped in bacon with a potato croquette and our very own award-winning Distillers’ pickle sauce, 5-hour beef brisket on mustard mash with root vegetables and pan gravy, and our Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and honeycomb ice cream have to remain on the menu to avoid any disappointment.
When my team and I sit down to review our menus, we ensure our menus are seasonal, showcasing local produce and including the great value dishes we know our regular guests enjoy time after time.’
To browse samples of the full range of menus available at Tartine at Distillers Arms, go directly to their website at Tartine at Distillers Arms and be sure to book in advance to secure your reservation.
Chefs secrets shared during the pandemic
Chef Gary Stewarts shares one of the most popular dessert dishes at Tartine at Distillers Arms—a simple cranachan dessert recipe with a Bushmills Irish Whiskey twist.
Filmed during the pandemic when hospitality businesses were brought to a standstill, Chef Properier and producer Gary Stewart entertained us with his fabulous online demonstrations. Viewers were allowed to create some of the most popular dishes served at Tartine at Distiller’s Arms at home.
This video was supported by Food Ni which Tartine at Distillers has been a proud members of for a number of years.
Food NI provides a single promotional voice for Northern Ireland’s food and drink. They work to enhance the reputation of Northern Ireland’s food and drink through the Taste of Ulster and Our Food So Good messages.
Food NI members showcase the finest food and drink from Northern Ireland. They promote the people who produce it and those who serve it in our cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels.
Gary Stewart is a popular and accomplished Chef who is regularly sked to take part in cooking demonstrations around the province and further afield. If you are planning an event and wish to contact Gary email gary.mews@gmail.com
Gary brings back sunshine on a plate from his travels
From Tuscany’s rolling hills to Amalfi’s picturesque coast, Italy has long been a destination for foodies seeking the finest culinary experiences. For Chef Gary Stewart, a recent trip to Calabria inspired him to bring the ‘La Dolce Vita’ flavours to his summer menu at Tartine at Distillers Arms Bushmills. With each bite, guests can savour the vibrant, tangy tastes that have made Italian cuisine famous worldwide but with local produce from the North Coast in Northern Ireland.
Award-winning Chef, producer and restaurateur Gary Stewart just loves to travel when he’s not at the helm at the popular Tartine at Distillers Arms or creating products such as his award-winning Distillers Pickle sauce and his Raspberry and apple sauce. Well-known and respected as a champion of local food, Gary has been steadfast in his commitment to featuring local produce on his menu and coming up with flavour combinations that represent the collaborative spirit amongst artisans and producers in Northern Ireland.
‘When we get the opportunity to travel, we love to go off the beaten track and discover the authentic food of that region, we enjoy hearing the stories of the dishes which are often handed down through generations, but equally, we love to see young new artisan being supported in these traditional Mediterranean villages as they are the future and essential to sustainability. When we travel, we eat, drink, and are inspired; we are constantly thinking about how to showcase our great products on our doorstep with the same passion, which is why we strive to work and collaborate with local producers and suppliers.’
One such dish encapsulating that ‘La Dolce Vita’ feel is Lemon posset with Distillers Raspberry and apple sauce, lemon biscotti and a shot of Dunluce Distillery’s ‘ La RivaNata’ Limoncello. Gary launched his own Distillers Raspberry and Apple sauce last year after success with his award-winning Distillers Pickle Sauce. His sauces are made in small batches and have been lauded for being versatile and delicious. Both can be purchased online from https://bit.ly/44sRjmB.
From the outset, Simon and Lizzie from Dunluce Distillery have enjoyed Gary’s full support. He stocks their popular Shoreborn Gin and welcomed the addition of their recently launched Limoncello.
This summer dessert encapsulates the flavours a seasonal palate craves, layered flavours and textures, the perfect finish to an evening at Tartine at Distillers Arms.
For many of the other dishes featured on the menu, whether it be the A la Carte Dinner or the Early Dining Menu, you will see several dishes inspired by Gary’s travels, but he has sourced locally. Fresh fish, seafood, risotto and freshly baked bread served with local oils and vinegar will give you that Mediterranean feel with the satisfaction you are supporting local producers and artisans from the Causeway Coast and Glens and Northern Ireland.
Tartine at Distillers Arms is a very popular restaurant, and with its new online reservation system, you can check availability and make reservations online 24/7. To avoid disappointment, check out the following link and join Gary, Robbie, Paul, Colin and their incredible team for a memorable culinary experience to transport you straight to the heart of Italy. Buon appetite!
Book now at https://distillersarms.com/
Bushmills Chef is a hit at Balmoral
Chef Gary Stewart has been wowing Northern Ireland’s culinary scene for quite some time now. This award-winning Chef Proprietor and Producer from Tartine at Distillers Arms Bushmills is a true champion of local produce. He showcased his skills in association with Food NI at the historic Balmoral Show today by performing a demonstration at the Tourism Northern Ireland Theatre Kitchen.
Gary was delighted to have the talented Chef Noel McMeel on hand as a compere. Like Gary, Noel is a well-respected Chef who champions ‘modern Irish cuisine’. Noel has had an incredible career to date, including two appearances on the much-loved TV show Great British Menu.
An excellent partnership for an entertaining cooking demonstration at the Balmoral Show.
The 154th Balmoral Show is taking place from Wednesday 10th, May to Saturday, 13th, May 2023, at Balmoral Park, Lisburn. Excitement is building for agriculture fans across Northern Ireland as the most-anticipated event of the farming year kicks off; with a wide range of stock, trade and entertainment, the show promises to have something for everyone. In addition, the Food NI & Drink Pavilion is jam-packed with delicious and original food, from award-winning gins to mouth-watering cheese. Three Theatre Kitchens are cooking up a storm with dozens of chefs and producers showcasing the very best of food and drink from NI over the four days. In addition, the Healthy Horticulture Marquee has an exciting programme of demonstrations, including gardening, health, biodiversity and social farming.
Gary’s charm, charisma, and passion for cooking with the best local ingredients have captivated food enthusiasts and encouraged us all to get into the kitchen and give it a go! Gary’s talent lies in taking simple ingredients and turning them into extraordinary dishes. His presentation is stunning, and his food tastes incredible, leaving a lasting impression. So it is no wonder his upbeat personality and infectious energy make him a crowd favourite.
At the Balmoral show, Gary wowed the crowds with his innovative creations. His Bushmills whiskey and orange glazed Lough Neagh Dollaghan fillets with warm North Coast Smokehouse Salmon, fennel, orange, and bulger wheat salad represent Northern Ireland’s rich tradition of incredible food and drink produce. The delicate flavours of the fish are perfectly balanced with the smoky and earthy notes of the whiskey, creating an exquisite, elegant, and rustic taste.
Gary passionately believes that the key to creating truly exceptional dishes lies in the quality of the ingredients.
Gary is one of the founding members of the Taste Causeway movement, which is the unifying vision for the growing community of food and drink producers, artisans, food tourism and hospitality in the stunning Causeway Coast and Glens. By sourcing everything from local farmers and producers, Gary has become an award-winning producer in his own right with his range of Distillers sauces. He launched his Distiller’s Pickle sauce, perfecting the flavour during the lockdown. Made with Armagh apples, spices and a generous measure of Black Bush Irish Whiskey, this condiment is perfect for cheeses, charcuterie, burgers and sandwiches. It won gold in the Irish Food Awards / Blas na hEireann 2021 and 1 gold star winner at the Guild of Fine Food’ Great Taste Awards’ 2022, an incredible achievement considering the challenges facing the hospitality industry during that period. He now has a delicious Distillers Raspberry and Apple Sauce, perfect for scones, granola, Eton mess, desserts such as the stunning lemon posset often featured on Tartine at Distillers Arm’s menu or a moreish twist when added to a refreshing summer cocktail.
For the whole experience, make a reservation at Tartine at Distillers Arms, and book online at https://distillersarms.com/#for-bookings. To purchase Gary’s products, visit Warke’s Deli, The Belfry Deli, Apperley’s Ballymoney, The Designerie Bushmills, Boyd’s Ballymoney, The Chocolate Manor, Jam At The Doorstep Armoy, Naturally North Coast Market & Artisan online shop, Stone Row Artisans, Mc Atamney’s Ballymoney to name but a few stockists. To buy online, visit https://www.artisanmarket.online/products/distillers-pickle-sauce.
As a culinary powerhouse, Gary is committed to showcasing the diversity and richness of Northern Ireland’s local produce. Using locally sourced ingredients, he captures the essence of Northern Ireland’s rich culinary heritage while infusing his modern flair and creativity. It’s no surprise that Gary is sought-after, as his unique approach to food and cooking has won him numerous accolades. So, visit Tartine at Distillers Arms, order his award-winning products and keep an eye out for him on his socials for his next demo.