Ballymena butchers bring generations of expertise to Tesco’s summer BBQ range

(L-R) Laura McMinn, Tesco Northern Ireland Buying Manager, Alvin Donaghy, Commercial Manager at K&G McAtamney, Kenneth Herron, Tesco Northern Ireland Lead Fresh Buying Manager - Northern Ireland Product, Gordon McAtamney, Managing Director at K&G McAtamney, and Clare McCormack, Tesco Northern Ireland Assistant Buyer.

Two long-established Ballymena meat businesses are supplying 12 products for Tesco Northern Ireland’s summer barbecue range, bringing decades of local butchery experience to shoppers across the region.

K&G McAtamney and Doherty & Gray have produced a selection of chicken, pork and beef products for Tesco’s exclusive Fire Pit, Finest and wider barbecue ranges.

The partnership places Ballymena’s butchery heritage on supermarket shelves throughout Northern Ireland while supporting two businesses with deep roots in the local community.

Family butchery dating back to 1953

K&G McAtamney traces its history to 1953, when the family opened its first butcher’s shop in Kilrea.

Now led by third-generation butcher Gordon McAtamney, the award-winning company employs more than 50 people and combines traditional butchery skills with modern slicing, dicing and packaging technology.

Its six products in Tesco NI’s summer range include barbecue and sweet chilli chicken kebabs, chicken mini fillets and two flavours of pork belly bites.

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.”

More than 70 years of production in Ballymena

(L-R) Laura McMinn, Tesco Northern Ireland Buying Manager, Seamus Doherty, Retail Director at Doherty & Gray, Kenneth Herron, Tesco Northern Ireland Lead Fresh Buying Manager - Northern Ireland Product, and Clare McCormack, Tesco Northern Ireland Assistant Buyer.

Doherty & Gray was founded in Ballymena in 1954 by Patrick “Patsy” Doherty and former wartime Rationing Officer Robert “Bobby” Gray.

Described as Northern Ireland’s oldest red meat company, the business has remained rooted in the town while developing long-standing relationships with generations of local farmers.

Its contribution to the Tesco range includes Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus burgers, Fire Pit beef burgers, Hull’s Pork & Apple Burgers and Cumberland Sausage Swirls.

Seamus Doherty, Retail Director at Doherty & Gray, said the companies’ relationship had helped the Ballymena business expand.

“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.”

What shoppers can find in the range

Products supplied by K&G McAtamney are:

• Meat Market 4 BBQ Chicken Kebabs, 320g — £4.50

• Meat Market BBQ Pork Belly Bites, 400g — £4.50

• Meat Market Korean Style Pork Belly Bites, 400g — £4.50

• Meat Market Sweet Chilli Chicken Mini Fillets, 300g — £4.50

• Meat Market BBQ Chicken Mini Fillets, 300g — £4.50

• Meat Market 4 Sweet Chilli Chicken Kebabs, 320g — £4.50

Products supplied by Doherty & Gray are:

• Fire Pit 4 Quarter Pounder Northern Irish Beef Burgers, 454g — £4

• Tesco Finest 2 Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus Brisket and Chuck Beef Burgers, 340g — £5

• Tesco Finest Cracked Black Pepper 4 Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus Beef Burgers, 454g — £5.50

• Tesco Finest 2 Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus Beef Burgers, 340g — £5

• Tesco Finest 4 Quarter Pounder Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus Beef Burgers, 454g — £5.50

• Hull’s 2 Pork & Apple Burgers, 300g — £3.75

Tesco said its expanded seasonal range features products from suppliers across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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.”

For Ballymena, the range offers more than seasonal food choices: it puts products made by two of the town’s longest-established meat businesses before customers across Northern Ireland, supporting local employment and continuing a butchery tradition stretching back more than seven decades.