Glens of Antrim Group, the potato, crisp and whiskey business based in Cushendall and Ballymena, has invested £250,000 in the development of a new ‘Perfect for….’ range, which aims to take the guesswork out of cooking by helping consumers choose the right potato for every meal.
The range, including ‘Perfect for Roasties’, ‘Perfect for Chips’, and ‘Perfect for Creamy Mash’ is the outcome of two years of research and development, including extensive field trials across 20 potato varieties, to find those best suited to Northern Ireland’s unique growing conditions.
Three resilient, high-performing varieties were selected – Lady Terra, King Edwards and Kimi – each delivering consistent quality, reduced pesticide use, and improved outcomes for both growers and consumers.
The investment also includes a new automated packaging line at the company’s facility to accommodate additional volume.
“The humble spud is a staple part of our diet, yet research has shown consumers remain confused by the many potato varieties available on the shelves, and which ones are best for different dishes. It’s an ongoing issue which the industry has been unable to address,” commented Michael McKillop, of Glens of Antrim Group.
“To tackle this, we spent two years developing a retail range which puts the spotlight on the outcome – not the variety – providing clear and concise options to shoppers who simply want to make the very best mash, roasties or chips from locally grown potatoes.”
Among the selected varieties is Lady Terra, which is lesser known in the Irish market, but has shown excellent adaptability to local conditions, producing a smooth, creamy texture which is ideal for mash.
Another less familiar variety, Kimi, has been selected for the chip pack, and is particularly aimed at those using air-fryers. Closer in taste and texture to the classic ‘chip shop’ style, it is also four times healthier than frozen chips, which typically contain range of additives and preservatives.
To further support consumers, Glens of Antrim has partnered with local chef Stephen Ferris, who is currently heading up the recently relaunched Margot restaurant in Belfast.
Through this collaboration, consumers can scan a QR code featured on every pack in the ‘Perfect For…’ range to access exclusive online content from Stephen, including chef’s tips, seasonal hints, and meal suggestions tailored to each potato type.
Commenting on the partnership, Stephen Ferris said:
“As a chef I know how important it is to start with the right ingredients for the right purpose – and this applies as much to a potato as to a cut of steak. The Glens of Antrim Perfect for… range makes that decision easy for consumers. And we take this a step further with each pack’s QR code, giving instant access to advice, recipes and professional tips to help get the very best out of their potatoes — whether they’re mashing, roasting, or frying.”
‘Perfect for…’ is currently stocked in a range of supermarkets across Northern Ireland.