- Ballymena butchers K&G McAtamney and Doherty & Gray, with over 70 years of combined expertise, are supplying more than a dozen products to Tesco Northern Ireland’s summer BBQ range.
- The expanded BBQ range highlights Tesco NI’s continued commitment to championing local suppliers.
Two of Ballymena’s long-established meat businesses are bringing generations of butchery expertise to Tesco Northern Ireland’s barbecue range.
K&G McAtamney and Doherty & Gray are among the local suppliers behind the expanded summer BBQ offering, with more than a dozen fresh products from the Ballymena businesses featuring across the retailer’s exclusive Tesco Fire Pit and wider BBQ range.
This year’s line-up includes new barbecue products from suppliers across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, showcasing the quality, innovation and heritage of local food producers.
K&G McAtamney’s family butchery’s heritage stretches back to 1953, when their first butcher’s shop opened in Kilrea. Today, the award-winning business is led by third-generation butcher Gordon McAtamney and employs more than 50 people.
Combining traditional butchery skills with modern slicing, dicing and packaging technology, the company’s experienced team quality checks each product before they are packaged.
This summer, Tesco NI shoppers can enjoy products including BBQ and Sweet Chilli Chicken Kebabs, Meat Market BBQ and Sweet Chilli Chicken Mini Fillets, and BBQ and Korean-style Pork Belly Bites in the Meat Market range from K&G McAtamney.
Doherty & Gray, meanwhile, brings more than 70 years of meat production experience to the range. Founded in Ballymena in 1954 by Patrick “Patsy” Doherty and former wartime Rationing Officer Robert “Bobby” Gray, the company has grown from humble beginnings into Northern Ireland’s oldest red meat company.
The business has remained rooted in Ballymena and built long-standing relationships with generations of local farmers.
For Tesco NI’s summer range, Doherty & Gray supplies Tesco Finest Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus burgers, Fire Pit Quarter Pounders, Half Pounders and Smash Burgers, alongside Hull’s Pork & Apple Burgers and Cumberland Sausage Swirls.
These new additions to the Tesco NI BBQ range demonstrates the retailers’ continued commitment to sourcing high-quality products from local businesses.
Alvin Donaghy, Commercial Manager at K&G McAtamney, said:
“The McAtamney brand is synonymous with butchery in Northern Ireland, and we are proud to celebrate our valued partnership with Tesco. With their support, we are excited to bring quality, consistent and innovative products to its shelves.”
Seamus Doherty, Retail Director at Doherty & Gray, added:
“Tesco’s commitment to its Northern Ireland suppliers has been steadfast over the years, and our partnership has seen our business grow over the past decade. This has supported local employment, and our continued development as one of Tesco Northern Ireland’s own-label suppliers.”
Laura McMinn, Tesco Northern Ireland Buying Manager, said:
“Our Summer BBQ products are particularly special this year because of the significant effort we’ve invested over recent years in sourcing a strong, high-quality offering while supporting local suppliers. Each year, our range has continued to go from strength to strength, reflecting both our commitment to quality and delivering exciting options for our customers to enjoy.
“From chicken, beef and pork to lamb, our extensive range provides variety that ensures there is something for every BBQ occasion.”.”
