TIM McCarthy describes himself as “Chief Alchemist”, the wizard behind some of Europe’s spiciest sauces and ketchup.
The Belfast-based sauce specialist certainly fits the definition of an expert in “the process of taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary, sometimes in a way that cannot be explained”.
Founder of Blackfire Foods in 2014, Tim, a graphic artist by profession, successfully turned a passion for hot and spicy sauces into a thriving small business that’s now in line for the coveted Supreme Champion title in the annual Great Taste Awards organised annually by the influential UK Guild of Fine Foods in London.
Tim’s unique Ghost Chilli and Black Lime Ketchup have just won three gold stars in the global awards, which positions Blackfire to win the overall Supreme Champion or a Northern Ireland Golden Fork as the best regional food.
If Tim is successful, Blackfire will join a select group of three local companies to win the overall award, following Moira Enterprises Hannan Meats, which has won the top award twice with pork and beef, and McCartney’s Butchers and Deli, a winner with roast beef. He’s up against Peter Hannan’s new take on porchetta and Applejames in Armagh, a newcomer to the awards with an iced cider for the final stages in the awards.
“It’s tremendously exciting to have reached the final stages of a competition that is respected throughout the world of food and drink,” says Tim. “It’s a marvellous boost for my small enterprise in its first decade of business. I’ve experienced highs and lows over the years as we worked to establish the company and grow sales,” he adds.
“The awards are recognised globally as a mark of excellence,” he continues.
“I am looking forward to the final judging session next month in London at which the Supreme Champion and Northern Ireland Regional Fork will both be named.
Tim crafts each product to his own recipe that he’s developed over the past two decades, especially in the years following the establishment of the business.
“Northern Ireland would have been seen as a culinary conservative country up until recently. The advent of the internet, cheaper global travel and the influx of cultures into Northern Ireland have all helped us expand our taste buds and have higher expectations regarding food on our plates.
“Fantastic chefs, creative restaurants, delis and International awards for our food sectors have also been the catalyst for rapid change in areas such as consumption of peppers.
“People across the world have been eating chilli peppers for at least 6,000 years … and for excellent reason. Not only do they make bland food more interesting, but they are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants and also help to detoxify and burn body fat,” adds Tim.
Research showed that the UK market for seasonings and condiments is worth over £2 billion annually. The potential for trading in the European markets was huge, he says.
The company is keen to build on the growing interest in the spicy sauces and to expand business opportunities in key nations such as France, Germany and Poland.
To help realise this ambition and accelerate growth in Europe, Blackfire has recently signed up to several online retail portals which are providing a global shop window for the products.
