Glens of Antrim Potatoes launches £250k ‘Perfect For…’ range to simplify home cooking

Pictured launching the new ‘Perfect for…’ range of potatoes are (from l-r): chef, Stephen Ferris, Mary McKillop, Glens of Antrim Group, and potato grower, Stephen Christie who farms in Newtownards.

Glens of Antrim Group has unveiled a major £250,000 investment in a new retail potato range designed to remove the confusion many shoppers face when choosing the right potato for their favourite dishes.

The Cushendall and Ballymena-based agri-food group – which produces potatoes, crisps and whiskey – has launched its new ‘Perfect For…’ selection, offering shoppers clear guidance on which potatoes work best for different meals.

The new range includes ‘Perfect for Roasties’, ‘Perfect for Chips’ and ‘Perfect for Creamy Mash’, each tailored to ensure consistent cooking results.

The development follows two years of research and field trials spanning 20 potato varieties grown in Northern Ireland’s unique climate.

Following this extensive evaluation, three strong-performing varieties were selected: Lady Terra, King Edwards and Kimi. Each demonstrated high resilience, reduced pesticide requirements, and reliable quality for growers and consumers alike.

Two-year R&D programme delivers new retail clarity

(L-R): Chef, Stephen Ferris, Mary McKillop, Glens of Antrim Group, and potato grower, Stephen Christie who farms in Newtownards.

“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,” said 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.”

The lesser-known Lady Terra variety has been selected for the mash pack, having shown excellent suitability to local growing conditions and delivering a smooth, creamy texture ideal for mash.

Meanwhile, Kimi has been chosen for the chip pack, especially appealing to consumers using air fryers. Offering a taste and texture closer to traditional chip-shop chips, Kimi is also promoted as being four times healthier than frozen chips, which typically contain additives and preservatives.

As part of the £250,000 investment, the company has also introduced a new automated packaging line at its processing facility to manage increased volumes.

Chef partnership brings recipes and real-world guidance

To help home cooks get the most from the range, Glens of Antrim has teamed up with local chef Stephen Ferris, currently leading the kitchen at the recently relaunched Margot restaurant in Belfast.

Each pack in the new range features a QR code linking to exclusive online content created by Ferris, including recipe ideas, seasonal advice and professional chef’s tips.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The ‘Perfect For…’ range is now stocked across multiple supermarkets in Northern Ireland.