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A flagship feature of IFEX, Salon Culinaire Belfast will once again bring the energy and excitement of live culinary competition to the show floor, showcasing the very best of local talent, innovation and technical excellence.

With more than 30 competitions taking place across the programme, the event is set to be a major celebration of skill across all areas of the hospitality industry.

The NI Chef of the Year competition remains the most prestigious accolade of Salon Culinaire Belfast and, for 2026, places a renewed emphasis on high-calibre, senior chefs currently working at the top level of the industry. Open to experienced professionals from restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues across Northern Ireland, the competition is designed to challenge chefs who are already leading kitchens and setting standards, reflecting the depth and quality of culinary talent across the region.

Running alongside the headline competitions, Salon Culinaire Belfast will also host a programme of student and junior classes, including Student Culinarian of the Year 2026, providing a vital platform for emerging talent and supporting the development of the next generation of industry professionals.

Also new for 2026 is the introduction of the All-Ireland Young Pastry Chef of the Year – the ‘Tim Andrew Trophy’, sponsored by Andrew Ingredients. This new award celebrates excellence in patisserie, recognising creativity, precision and artistry and giving rising pastry chefs their moment to shine on a national stage.

Returning by popular demand, the Edible Art competitions will form a visually striking feature of Salon Culinaire Belfast, featuring static exhibits made from chocolate, sugar paste, fondant and fruit and vegetables. These classes showcase competitors’ skill and creativity in a dedicated display area.

Commenting on the launch of Salon Culinaire Belfast 2026, Sean Owens, Salon Director said: “We are delighted to bring IFEX and Salon Culinaire to their new home at the Eikon Exhibition Centre for 2026. This year marks an important moment for our industry.

‘We are delighted to bring IFEX and Salon Culinaire to their new home at the Eikon Exhibition Centre for 2026’

“The skills gap is widening, and now more than ever it is vital that we champion excellence, invest in talent and showcase the remarkable ability within Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector to compete on a global stage.

“The Northern Ireland Chef of the Year competition is the pinnacle of Salon Culinaire, and for 2026 we are calling on senior, high-calibre chefs who are leading kitchens across the region to step forward and compete. We want this title to truly reflect the strength, experience and professionalism of chefs working at the highest level of the industry today.

“Salon Culinaire remains the leading stage where chefs, students and hospitality professionals come to benchmark their skills against the International Standard for Excellence. We take great pride in seeing former competitors now leading kitchens, earning Michelin stars and achieving global recognition, clear proof that the talent developed here is world-class.”

With classes catering for a wide range of skill levels, experience and sectors, ChefSkills Live Theatre at IFEX provides a unique opportunity for chefs to benchmark their abilities against international standards and demonstrate culinary mastery in a live environment.

Backed by industry support, Salon Culinaire 2026 is supported by Stephens Catering Equipment, Andrew Ingredients, Renshaw, Sysco, Riso Gallo, Keenan Seafood, Culinary Ability Awards and TUGO. Entries are now officially open, for more information and to enter, visit www.ifexexhibition.co.uk/salon-culinaire

IFEX 2026, Northern Ireland’s flagship foodservice, hospitality and retail trade event, takes place from 24^th to 26^th February 2026 at its new home, the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn. Across three days, the show will feature an expanded exhibition floor, live competitions, interactive cooking theatres, new product launches and hands-on demonstrations.

With new features alongside returning favourites like Salon Culinaire, IFEX is the essential meeting place to source suppliers, discover innovation, and connect with industry leaders shaping the future of the sector. Registration is free and now open www.ifexexhibition.com

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RGDATA said “As the representative body for independent, family owned grocery and convenience stores across Ireland, RGDATA speaks for businesses that operate at the heart of towns, villages, and urban neighbourhoods. Our members are integral to
community life—providing essential services, local employment, social connection, and informal oversight of the areas in which they trade.

“The consultation paper correctly recognises that community safety cannot be delivered by An Garda Síochána alone and requires a strategic partnership approach across agencies, sectors, and communities. It also highlights that safety extends beyond the absence of crime to include people’s confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life.

RGDATA strongly supports this holistic approach and offers the following observations:

Issue 1 – Defining Community Safety
Community safety, from RGDATA’s perspective, encompasses both practical security measures and the broader sense of comfort and trust felt by community members. Independent retailers observe daily the two dimensions highlighted in the issue paper: the objective measures (e.g. crime levels, response times) and the subjective measures (e.g. how safe people feel at night, in public spaces, or at work). These are not always aligned.
RGDATA defines community safety as: “A community environment where people can live, work, shop, and socialise without fear, supported by strong local relationships, visible safety measures, and effective responses to crime
and antisocial behaviour.”

Local shops play a unique role in strengthening this definition of safety:
• They provide natural surveillance through constant footfall and visibility.
• They serve as informal hubs, where shopkeepers often notice emerging issues or vulnerable
individuals.
• They remain open during adverse events, offering reliability and stability.
• They act as neutral, accessible landmarks in rural and urban areas and create a pattern of footfall within communities which help to keep towns and villages vibrant and full of life, as opposed to deserted and derelict.

Issue 2 – Community-Grounded Knowledge
The issue paper’s recognition of the role of “individuals, families and community groups” is
essential. RGDATA emphasises that independent shops are integral community actors with deep local knowledge.
Examples of effective community safety initiatives involving RGDATA and its members include:
• Retailer–Garda engagement through local meetings, information-sharing, and joint responses to offending patterns.
• Community alert systems, where retailers contribute to text alert networks and encourage
reporting of suspicious activity.
• Partnerships with local schools and youth groups, reducing isolation and supporting positive engagement.
• Participation in community CCTV initiatives, including hosting equipment or co-funding
installations.

Issue 3 – Collaboration
RGDATA supports the consultation paper’s emphasis on coordinated, multi-agency collaboration.
Effective collaboration relies on:
• Dedicated Garda liaison officers for local business communities.
• Consistent community policing presence, which builds trust and encourages reporting.
• Formal structures such as community safety partnerships that include retailers on an equal
footing.
• Clear, practical protocols for information sharing.

Issue 4 – Measurement
RGDATA agrees that both felt safety and actual safety are important indicators and that they often diverge.
Key indicators for the retail sector include:
• Incidents of theft, assault, intimidation, harassment, and drug-related activity.
• Response times and follow-up on reported incidents.
• Staff perceptions of safety, especially among young workers and those opening stores early in the morning and closing stores at night.
• Quality of the local environment (lighting, cleanliness, CCTV coverage).

Issue 5 – Policy and Governance
RGDATA welcomes Government initiatives that support safer communities, including the
emerging Retail Crime Strategy. However, several policy gaps undermine safety for retailers, their staff and communities:
• Retail crime is rising and repeat offending is particularly acute.
• Youth anti-social behaviour is becoming increasingly threatening and aggressive and young
offenders believe they are invincible.
• Current supports for victims of commercial crime are limited.
• Local governance structures vary widely, and retailers are not consistently included.

Independent retailers are deeply embedded in communities and uniquely positioned to identify both emerging risks and opportunities for safety improvement. RGDATA strongly supports a National Strategy grounded in local experience, built on strong partnerships, and is responsive to both objective and subjective safety concerns.
RGDATA is happy to assist the National Office for Community Safety in the development and implementation of this first national strategy

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Digital Business Ireland (DBI), the country’s largest representative body for digital and online businesses, has today announced the finalists for the 2026 National Digital Awards. Now in its sixth year, this year’s awards attracted hundreds of submissions from businesses, innovators and organisations nationwide, following a competitive entry process.

With finalists ranging from large established online and digital leaders including Sculpted by Aimee, Irish Life, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Independent, Musgrave Group, Workday and Mediahuis, to pioneering newcomers, the awards ceremony on 19th February 2026, will see some of the most exciting trailblazers, entrepreneurs and innovators in the country competing for national recognition. All finalists in the website category will compete for the coveted National Website of the Year, crowning the best-in-class of 2026. A special recognition award, the Digital Changemaker of the Year, will be presented to a worthy individual in recognition of their outstanding leadership and impact in advancing Ireland’s digital transformation.

Sponsors of the Awards include Core Optimisation, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), Strike Digital, Truffle Hog, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, .ie and Hibernia Venture Labs. Previous winners include brands such as Waterways Ireland, An Post, Petstop, Heavins, Musgrave Marketplace and Frontline Bikes.

Commenting on the announcement, Victor Timon, Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland, said: “The calibre of submissions this year has been truly exceptional. Irish businesses are embracing emerging technologies, elevating the standard of digital experience, and demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation. The strength of entries – especially in the People and Website categories – highlights a digital economy that is moving confidently into the future. Our judging panel had a difficult task of narrowing down the field to standout finalists, each of whom represents best-in-class digital excellence.”

Winners across all categories will be announced at the National Digital Awards night celebration, taking place this year on the 19 February 2026 at Pitch in Dawson Street, Dublin. Finalists will be treated to a champagne reception and a three-course meal as part of the annual celebration of the best in digital.

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The upgrades will ease congestion and improve access to the district for commuters, businesses and active travel users

Traffic congestion relief is on the horizon for commuters and businesses in the Sandyford Business District area as long-awaited infrastructural upgrades at Junction 14, a key access route in and out of the district, get underway. The works will address persistent traffic bottlenecks that impact commuters and businesses in the area, improving journey times and supporting more efficient movement into and out of one of Dublin’s largest employment hubs.

Traffic congestion places a growing pressure on workers and employers across the capital, adding hours to weekly commutes and increasing costs for businesses reliant on deliveries and time-sensitive services. While Sandyford Business District benefits from extensive public transport and active travel links, targeted investment in road infrastructure remains critical to ensuring the district remains accessible and competitive.

The Junction 14 upgrades will support smoother vehicle flow while also enhancing conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, in line with the Sandyford Active Travel Scheme. Planned works include:

• A new signalised junction on Blackthorn Road;
• Upgrades to the existing M50 Junction 14 roundabout to accommodate a new link road;
• Enhanced pedestrian and cyclist crossings on Leopardstown Road;
• Dedicated active travel infrastructure to support walking and cycling;

At a time of ongoing cost-of-living pressures and rising business costs, the improvements are expected to reduce travel times, lower transport-related expenses and ease pressure on local road networks, delivering long-term benefits for commuters, employers and residents.

Ger Corbett, CEO of Sandyford Business District, said: “Improving access to the district has long been a priority, as efficient infrastructure underpins economic activity and quality of life for those who live and work in the area.

“These long-awaited upgrades at Junction 14 will support sustainable growth, improve daily journeys and strengthen Sandyford Business District’s position as a world-class location for businesses to establish and for people to live and work. We also look forward to improved cycle routes, which will encourage active and multi-modal travel to and within the district.”

Image Credit: 

M50 J14 drawing taken from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

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Year-long partnership will see donation added to 1,500 parcels supporting families and individuals across Dublin

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has announced a major donation of €300,000 worth of food to the Capuchin Day Centre, marking the Foundation’s first food-distribution partnership in Ireland.  The donation will ensure that a donation from the foundation is added to every weekly food parcel distributed by the Centre over the next 12 months, providing vital support to families and individuals facing rising living costs. The surplus will be used for daily hot breakfasts served at the centre.

Founded and presided by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands – including easyJet.com, easyHotel.com and many others (see www.easy.com and www.easyHistory.info) – the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (see stelios.foundation and stelios.ie) partners with charities across Europe to provide high-demand items that support vulnerable households with its ‘Food from the Heart’ programme.

The Foundation’s ‘Food from the Heart’ programme first launched in Greece and Cyprus in 2012 and provides 200,000 snacks to those in need each month through 12 distribution centres. The programme has since expanded to the UK, where in partnership with Trussell, it will distribute a year’s supply of chilli con carne tins in 2025. Earlier this year in France, the Foundation announced a partnership with Les Restos du Cœur, a major French charity providing free food and support.

The partnership with the Capuchin Day Centre extends this model to Ireland for the first time, supporting one of the country’s largest charities working with people experiencing homelessness, poverty and family hardship with the provision of 200,000 tins of baked beans purchased from supplier, Valeo Foods.

The Capuchin Day Centre provides over 300 breakfasts and 700 hot meals daily, alongside clinical services, family supports and a crucial weekly distribution of 1,500 grocery parcels. Demand for these services continues to grow, with the Centre supporting adults and families experiencing homelessness, food insecurity or social exclusion.

Representing the Stelios Foundation at the launch of the donation was Dan Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Malaysia. Dan serves as an advisor to the Stelios Foundation, a role he began earlier this year following the Foundation’s launch of the inaugural North–South Business Cooperation Awards. Held at Castle Leslie, Monaghan on October 30th, these awards celebrate innovation and positive economic impact across Ireland, distributing a total of €500,000 to nine outstanding entrepreneurs.

Commenting on the donation, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: “The Foundation aims to help as many people as possible, as directly as possible, and the Capuchin Day Centre represents exactly the kind of frontline organisation we want to support. Their daily work offers dignity, nourishment and hope to thousands of people across Dublin, and it is an honour for us to contribute in a practical way. By supplying a year’s worth of a high-demand food product, we can make an immediate difference while also strengthening the Centre’s ability to serve a growing community. I am delighted that our first partnership of this kind in Ireland supports such a respected and compassionate charity.”

Fr Kevin Kiernan, Director at the Capuchin Day Centre, added: “This donation from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation could not come at a more important time for the people we support. Tinned beans may seem simple, but for many families they are one of the most valuable and nutritious items in a weekly parcel when budgets are under real pressure. Knowing that we can include two tins every week for the next year provides enormous reassurance to the thousands of people who depend on us. We are deeply grateful to Sir Stelios and his Foundation for recognising this need and responding so generously. Their support will have a very real impact on people experiencing food insecurity across Dublin.”

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