MEET JOHNNY MCDOWELL – CHIEF TASTER, INDIE FÜDE 
27 February 2020
Johnny McDowell, who graduated from Queen’s in 2000 with a Diploma in Accountancy, worked in the banking sector in Belfast and Dublin and overseas in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific, before returning to his native Comber in County Down to set up Indie Füde.
“In 2015 I decided to change career path and follow my passion for food, launching Indie Füde, an online store featuring produce sourced entirely from small-batch producers throughout the island of Ireland.
“A year later I opened my first deli store in my home town in Comber, and it has continued to grow to now feature a larger store with a dedicated events space where we host supper clubs and food demos to further promote our fabulous local produce.”
In addition to looking after the online aspect of the business, Johnny’s role includes sourcing new food and drink products, liaising with suppliers throughout Ireland and the UK, and giving Indie Füde customers – individuals and, increasingly, corporate – opportunities to sample the produce through tastings and demonstrations.
Among sessions now regularly on offer at the Comber store are also cheese tastings.
“Late last year I went back to school,” explained Johnny. “This time to cheese school in England where I am continuing to learn how to make cheese and develop a recipe to produce my own products for the Indie Füde brand in 2021.”
With a well-stocked cheese room – the only one in Northern Ireland – and a demonstration kitchen on the premises, Johnny is also responsible for covering corporate events, supporting local markets and hosting the company’s programme of supper clubs which often feature top Northern Ireland chefs showing how they cook local food.
In addition to developing all aspects of the local store and the corporate side of the company, Johnny has been expanding into the hamper business.
“The largest growth area for Indie Füde in the last two years has been our range of bespoke branded hampers, mainly for businesses throughout Northern Ireland.
“We are proud to say that our hampers have been delivered to some faraway places, including New Zealand, Japan and most recently Australia,” he added.
Clearly passionate about local artisan produce and helping small traders reach a wider market, Johnny is certainly helping to enhance Northern Ireland’s growing international reputation for food products with heritage and tradition. And with food tourism a key part of Tourism NI’s current marketing strategy – encouraging and enabling visitors to learn about, appreciate and, of course, consume local food and drink – it’s a role that will keep him busy.
Between now and the end of March, Queen’s graduates are being given the opportunity to win a delicious Indie Füde Hamper. Simply opt in to receive our regular monthly eGraduate and you will be automatically entered in the draw.
For general enquiries about this story or to submit a graduate news item, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO), Queen’s University Belfast, on telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Credit: Headline and main images courtesy of Indie Füde
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