'Remarkable craftsmanship and flavour': North coast sauce breaks into Fortnum & Mason after winning prestigious makers open call
Irish Black Butter is the only Northern Ireland product selected in Fortnum & Mason’s 2026 Makers Open Call and will go on sale at its iconic Piccadilly food hall
Shoppers at Iconic London food hall Fortnum & Mason wlll soon be able to enjoy the unique Irish Black Butter sweet/savoury sauce from Portush.
The multi-award-winning sauce has been chosen as a winner, the only one from Northern Ireland, in the prestigious 2026 Fortnum & Makers Open Call, a nationwide search to pinpoint exciting emerging talent in British food and drink.
This year, alongside exceptional taste and craft, the brief also welcomed products designed to support a more balanced living, all with a distinctly Fortnum’s sense of pleasure.
Open to independent producers across the UK, the initiative drew over 450 submissions, reflecting a remarkable breadth of creativity and ambition. Following a highly competitive process, 15 outstanding makers, including Irish Black Butter, have been selected to join the shelves of Fortnum’s Piccadilly store from the end of this month.
Entries were judged on originality, sustainability and alignment with Fortnum’s longstanding values of quality, provenance and innovation. A final shortlist was invited to Piccadilly to present their products in person, sharing both flavour and story with Fortnum’s expert buying team.
Each winning maker will now take their place in-store, with opportunities to meet customers through tastings and storytelling in the Food & Drink Studio. Their products will also be showcased in Fortnum’s windows, a fitting stage for this new generation of British makers.
Liz Morgan, director of Buying for Food, Wine & Spirits at Fortnum & Mason, said: “Each year, the Open Call reveals an extraordinary breadth of talent, and this year has been no exception.
"The makers we’ve selected bring with them not only remarkable craftsmanship and flavour, but a fresh perspective on how we eat and live today. We’re delighted to welcome them to Fortnum’s and to share their stories with our customers.”
From County Antrim, Irish Black Butter transforms Armagh Bramley apples into a rich, spiced conserve. Made in small batches, its deep, complex sweetness reflects both heritage craft and a strong sense of place.
In April 2023, Fortnum’s opened its Food & Drink Studio as a space dedicated to the search for extraordinary food and drink experiences.