Menu
21/07/2010
NI Food Sector 'Stars' Win Gold
Thirty food and drink companies from across Northern Ireland have gained over 100 gold stars for local produce in the annual UK Great Taste Awards.
The awards - organised annually by the Guild of Fine Food and sponsored and promoted locally by Invest Northern Ireland - were announced at the weekend following the rigorous judging of products from almost 5,000 companies in the UK, Republic of Ireland and other parts of Europe.
The awards are graded into three, two and one star categories based on quality, taste and innovation. The highest accolade per product that the panel of expert judges can award is three stars.
One Northern Ireland company, Mullin's Ice Cream of Kilrea, Co Londonderry, achieved the top rating of three stars for its recently launched goat’s milk ice cream with vanilla. Mullins also gained two stars each for its pistachio ice cream and its chocolate sorbet products.
There were gold awards for many of Northern Ireland's leading food companies including: Avondale Foods, Craigavon; Dale Farm, Belfast; Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar; Finnebrogue, Downpatrick;, Fivemiletown Creamery, Co Tyrone; Kestrel Foods, Craigavon; Linwoods, Armagh; McErlain’s Bakery, Magherafelt; Punjana Tea, Belfast; Suki Tea House, Belfast and White’s Oats, Tandragee.
Hannan Meats, among the most successful meat companies, gained seven stars for beef, lamb and bacon.
Fivemiletown Creamery in Co Tyrone also gained a total of seven stars for its various handmade cheese products.
Among newcomers winning gold stars this year were both large and small companies including: Armagh Cider, Armagh; Hannan Meats, Craigavon; Erin Grove Preserves, Enniskillen; Yellow Door Deli, Portadown; Glastry Ice Cream, Kircubbin; Big Ted’s American Cookies, Ballyclare and Unimush, Armagh.
Two family butchery businesses also figured in the awards for the first time - Alfie Murray, Killyleagh and Stewart's of Enniskillen.
Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, said: "This another impressive performance by local food and drink companies in this internationally regarded competition.
"The achievements of our companies, both large and small, show the vibrancy of the local industry, now one of our biggest and most successful manufacturing sectors.
"The awards recognise customer-focused innovation. It's clear that we have a highly innovative food and drink sector, a sector which has immense potential in markets such as Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland."
(BMcC/GK)
The awards - organised annually by the Guild of Fine Food and sponsored and promoted locally by Invest Northern Ireland - were announced at the weekend following the rigorous judging of products from almost 5,000 companies in the UK, Republic of Ireland and other parts of Europe.
The awards are graded into three, two and one star categories based on quality, taste and innovation. The highest accolade per product that the panel of expert judges can award is three stars.
One Northern Ireland company, Mullin's Ice Cream of Kilrea, Co Londonderry, achieved the top rating of three stars for its recently launched goat’s milk ice cream with vanilla. Mullins also gained two stars each for its pistachio ice cream and its chocolate sorbet products.
There were gold awards for many of Northern Ireland's leading food companies including: Avondale Foods, Craigavon; Dale Farm, Belfast; Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar; Finnebrogue, Downpatrick;, Fivemiletown Creamery, Co Tyrone; Kestrel Foods, Craigavon; Linwoods, Armagh; McErlain’s Bakery, Magherafelt; Punjana Tea, Belfast; Suki Tea House, Belfast and White’s Oats, Tandragee.
Hannan Meats, among the most successful meat companies, gained seven stars for beef, lamb and bacon.
Fivemiletown Creamery in Co Tyrone also gained a total of seven stars for its various handmade cheese products.
Among newcomers winning gold stars this year were both large and small companies including: Armagh Cider, Armagh; Hannan Meats, Craigavon; Erin Grove Preserves, Enniskillen; Yellow Door Deli, Portadown; Glastry Ice Cream, Kircubbin; Big Ted’s American Cookies, Ballyclare and Unimush, Armagh.
Two family butchery businesses also figured in the awards for the first time - Alfie Murray, Killyleagh and Stewart's of Enniskillen.
Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, said: "This another impressive performance by local food and drink companies in this internationally regarded competition.
"The achievements of our companies, both large and small, show the vibrancy of the local industry, now one of our biggest and most successful manufacturing sectors.
"The awards recognise customer-focused innovation. It's clear that we have a highly innovative food and drink sector, a sector which has immense potential in markets such as Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 August 2013
Local Food Companies Enjoy UK Recognition
Northern Ireland's food and drink sector continues to enjoy international recognition, as the industry celebrates a record number of 'gold stars' at the UK Great Taste Awards.
Local Food Companies Enjoy UK Recognition
Northern Ireland's food and drink sector continues to enjoy international recognition, as the industry celebrates a record number of 'gold stars' at the UK Great Taste Awards.
15 November 2024
New Food Strategy Aims To Make NI A World Leader In Sustainable Food
Northern Ireland's first Food Strategy Framework was launched today by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. The strategy, titled "Food at the heart of our society - A prospectus for change," aims to position Northern Ireland as a world leader in sustainable, healthy, and nutritious food.
New Food Strategy Aims To Make NI A World Leader In Sustainable Food
Northern Ireland's first Food Strategy Framework was launched today by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. The strategy, titled "Food at the heart of our society - A prospectus for change," aims to position Northern Ireland as a world leader in sustainable, healthy, and nutritious food.
20 June 2011
Taste Of Ulster Gets Cash Boost
A £150,000 support package for several projects promoting the quality of local food - such as the successful Taste of Ulster scheme - has been announced by the Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill. The Minister made the announcement today as she met with one of the beneficiaries of the funding support, Food NI.
Taste Of Ulster Gets Cash Boost
A £150,000 support package for several projects promoting the quality of local food - such as the successful Taste of Ulster scheme - has been announced by the Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill. The Minister made the announcement today as she met with one of the beneficiaries of the funding support, Food NI.
11 September 2013
Foster Congratulates NI Great Taste Winners
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated the Northern Ireland winners at this year's Great Taste event. The Minister was speaking following the achievements of local companies at the awards finals in London. The event is organised annually by the influential UK Guild of Fine Food.
Foster Congratulates NI Great Taste Winners
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated the Northern Ireland winners at this year's Great Taste event. The Minister was speaking following the achievements of local companies at the awards finals in London. The event is organised annually by the influential UK Guild of Fine Food.
25 May 2010
NI Bids For UK Taste Accolade
Some 44 Northern Ireland food companies are aiming to strike gold in the forthcoming UK Great Taste Awards in July. The awards, often described as the 'Oscars' of the food industry, are organised by the UK Guild of Fine Food and supported locally by Invest Northern Ireland.
NI Bids For UK Taste Accolade
Some 44 Northern Ireland food companies are aiming to strike gold in the forthcoming UK Great Taste Awards in July. The awards, often described as the 'Oscars' of the food industry, are organised by the UK Guild of Fine Food and supported locally by Invest Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
