With the Covid lockdowns putting the brakes on many local businesses, a couple decided to use their background in the hospitality industry to launch their first business venture.
Celebrity chef Gary Jenkins and his wife Sarah are both passionate about local food and have just opened Belmont Larder in East Belfast.
Gary and Sarah have put their energy and savings into setting up their new business on Belmont Road, which offers a range of local produce, takeaway snacks, ready meals and freshly baked sweet and savory options.
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Their new business fits perfectly into bustling Belmont Road, which has long been a hub for foodies from all over the city for its many local cafes and eateries.
Whiterock man Gary, 37, first met Sarah, 38 and a native of Comber, when they both worked at The Poacher’s Pocket in Lisbane, near Killinchy.
Gary has been a chef for 20 years and has worked for Ronan and Jennie Sweeney of Balloo Inns for the last 12 years, including six years at both The Parsons Nose in Hillsborough and The Poacher’s Pocket as head chef.
“During the Covid lockdowns, we had a chance to look at our lives and see what the next few years would bring. Hospitality is a fantastic industry but it’s getting too difficult with the relentless hours and trying to recruit staff,” Gary told Belfast Live.
“Sarah left hospitality seven years ago, so we became like passing ships in the night. I’ve always loved baking and The Poacher’s Pocket has its own deli, The Poacher’s Pantry, which was still operating during the lockdown, so we could at least keep that side of things going.”
The new store includes a refrigerated display with locally caught seafood and Gary’s gastropub grab and go ready meals (Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Gary added: “We both knew we wanted to run a food business, so the rethink led us to the idea of opening an artisan food store, celebrating all that our island has to offer in terms of smaller producers.
“I had forged good working relationships with our local suppliers while at The Poacher’s and so opening a store to showcase their products directly seemed like the obvious next step for both of us.
“Everything in our fridge is sourced from the island of Ireland and we really like that ethos and like I said I’ve worked with many of these food companies before. There are so many wonderful and innovative foods being produced here in Northern Ireland right now, with especially by craftsmen and smaller businesses.
“So we wanted to use our expertise and knowledge to introduce their exquisite food to many more people here and play our part in helping raise awareness of what’s available locally.”
The shelves of the Belmont Larder are stocked with the finest local produce(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Gary produces his own range of ready-to-eat gastropub meals, including mains, desserts and sauces, again all made with locally sourced ingredients.
“These convenience meals are created based on my experience as a chef, and we also have vegetarian options available,” he explains.
“The idea was to try and transform the food that people are familiar with in a gastro-pub environment into something you can just grab and take home. They’re aimed at diners who enjoy fresh, restaurant-quality food, but may not have the time or effort. the way to eat out.”
The new store also offers a refrigerated range of locally caught fish landed from the Co Down ports of Kilkeel, Portavogie and Strangford, alongside local steaks, burgers, sausages, black pudding and a wide range of Irish cheeses and charcuterie.
Each morning, freshly baked breads, pastries and griddles are available for purchase at the Belmont Larder(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
adds Gary. “Each morning we offer a selection of freshly baked breads, pastries and flat cakes – wheat, focaccia, sourdough and soda bread. Our patisserie range includes croissants, pain au chocolat, homemade cakes, pavlovas etc. In addition, we also have fresh orange juice on tap every day.
“We hope to bring in a local producer each weekend who can talk to customers about their artisan food offerings and that support would be our job to bring local producers to the attention of shoppers. We have been given a warm welcome by our colleague traders here on the road and the local community, so we’re very excited for the future.”
You can follow Belmont Larder on Facebook and Instagram.
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