Northern Irish food and drink producers bid for marketing support
Almost 30 food and drink companies have been shortlisted for one of Northern Ireland's most valuable awards.
They are bidding for a £30,000 marketing prize offered by Belfast's George Best City Airport in partnership with Food NI, the body representing local food and drink producers, and local councils. The winner, to be announced in June, will receive substantial marketing support and brand visibility at the airport.
The chosen products will feature on the airports Facebook page, with the most popular entrants progressing to the final where they will be subjected to a rigorous tasting session by a panel of food and drink experts.
The final will take the form of a tasting session judged by a panel of food and drink experts.
Katy Best, commercial and marketing director at Belfast City Airport, said: "We would like to congratulate those producers who have been selected to progress to the next stage of the competition. The standard of entries received has been fantastic and we were delighted with the response from producers across Northern Ireland.
"With 2.67 million passengers from all over the world travelling through the airport each year, the winning producer will be exposed to a fantastic level of footfall and visibility.
"We would like to wish all producers well in next stage of the competition, and look forward to the final tasting session when we will announce the producer that will benefit from the staggering prize of £30,000 free marketing support and brand visibility at Belfast City Airport."
The £20,000 of free advertising on offer at the airport will be on a number of formats within the terminal, while the £10,000 of digital support will include activities such as email solus campaigns and social media take overs.
Michele Shirlow, chief executive of Food NI, commented: "The calibre of the entries is outstanding and highlights the excellence of producers in Northern Ireland, whose innovation is driving the success of our local hospitality sector.
"We would love the public to show their support by visiting Belfast City Airport Facebook page and 'liking' their favourite product to ensure they secure a place in the final.
"It's so fantastic to see the legacy of NI Year of Food and Drink continuing in 2017, and it is our aim to ensure Northern Ireland grows its reputation as a global food destination where visitors can taste the greatness."
The shortlisted companies are:
Abernethy Butter Company - Hand crafted butter
Brambleberry Jams - Sea Salted Caramel Sauce
Blackthorn Foods - Melting Pot Fudge
Broighter Gold - Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil
Boatyard Distillery Gin double distilled craft gin
Cavanagh Free Range Eggs - Free Range Eggs
Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt Co - Greek Style Yoghurt
Donnybrewer Butter - Handcrafted butter
Echlinville Distillery Ltd - Irish Single Estate Pot Still Gin
En Place Foods - Blackberry & Hawthorn Vinegar
Ewing's Seafood - Irish Organic Smoked Salmon
Glenarm Castle Estate - Himalayan Salt Aged Glenarm Shorthorn Beef
Glens of Antrim Craft Ale and Beers - Rathlin Red Ale
Gracehill Fine Foods - Black Pudding
Graham's Bakery - Irish Cookies
Hughes Craft Distillery Ltd - RubyBlue Potato Vodka
Jawbox Spirits Co Ltd - Jawbox Gin
Long Meadow Craft Cider - ciders
Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative Society - Smoked Lough Neagh Eel
Lynn's Country Food Ltd - The Good Little Company Sausages
Mac Ivor's Cider Co - Medium Cider
Mash Direct - Champ
Mauds Ice Creams Ltd - Poor Bear's Delight
Morelli's Ice Cream - Double Cream Vanilla Ice Cream
O'Doherty's Fine Meats - Fermanagh Black Bacon
Pop Notch - Salted Caramel Popcorn
Rademon Estate Distillery - ShortCross Gin
Walled City Brewery - 1689 Ale
William Orr & Son - Comber Earlies.