BAKED-IN TRADITION

SIMPLY BAKES

Siobhán recognises that the Simply Better imprimatur gives consumers confidence, and she counts herself among them.

“As a shopper as well as a producer, I wouldn’t ever have a qualm about picking up any Simply Better product. I wouldn’t ever think, I wonder will this be nice?” she says.

Being able to wear both a producer and consumer hat is helpful when devising recipes that are going to appeal to the public’s tastes, and Siobhán has managed to come up with innovative recipes time after time.

For Simply Better, The Foods of Athenry makes a range of cereals and granola, including the Handmade Red Berry Granola with raspberries, strawberries and cherries, the recipe for which was refi ned even further when the packaging got a makeover. Alongside the pimped-up granola are the ever-popular and much-loved Simply Better Handmade All Butter Mince Pies – these are also available as a gluten-free option.

Being married to a former dairy farmer and, perhaps with the historical reference in their brand name being a factor, Siobhán and family are committed to using Irish producers when sourcing the raw materials for their products.

“If it’s available locally, we buy it if we can, because I’m very mindful of supporting Irish farmers. I know I could probably buy imported oats cheaper than Irish oats, but I wouldn’t do that, because Paul was a farmer; our friends are farmers. You wouldn’t turn your back on them.”

You’ll be able to stock up on the Simply Better Handmade All Butter Mince Pies in Dunnes Stores nationwide in plenty of time to enjoy the big day with food, family – and maybe a few bars of a favourite song.