Ten Northern Irish companies shortlisted in new Irish Quality Food Awards


Ten Northern Irish producers have been shortlisted in the Irish Quality Food Awards, the winners of which will be announced in September.



The Northern Ireland companies appear in most categories of the awards, which were launched earlier in the year to help showcase the excellence of food and drink on the island of Ireland. They are themost prestigious awards for food and drink products on sale throughout Ireland, Great Britain and further afield.



The shortlisted Northern Ireland food and drink companies are:



Armagh Cider Company,Craigavon, county Armagh for AJ Apple Juice and two ciders - Madden's Mellow and Carson's Crisp;



Cottage Catering, Dromore, county Down for Deluxe Sherry Trifle for Lidl Ireland;



Fivemiletown Creamery, county Tyrone for Deluxe Irish Cheese to Lidl Ireland;



K&G McAtamney, Ballymena, county Antrim for Smokey Bourbon Steak Fry Stir Fry for SPAR, Henderson Group, Belfast;



Linden Foods, Dungannon, county Tyrone for Heat and Enjoy Meatballs with Arrabiata Sauce, and Heat and Enjoy Somerset Style Fillet Medallions, both for Lidl Ireland;



Moy Park, Craigavon, county Armagh for Chicken Pesto Fillet with Spinach and Tomato for Lidl;



SPAR Hendersons, Newtownabbey, county Antrim - Streat Double Chocolate Muffin;



Spirited Drinks, Lisburn, county Antrim for Ruby Blue Bottle-aged Blackcurrant liqueur;



White's Speedicook,Tandragee, county Armagh - Oatilicious Jumbo Porridge Oats, and Oatlicious Fruit Porridge, both for Lidl Ireland;



Whitewater Brewing Company, Kilkeel, county Down for Hoppelhammer Ale and Belfast Lager.



The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards represent a unique collaboration between Food and Hospitality Ireland (formerly SHOP exhibition) and The UK Quality Food and Drink Awards, which have been rewarding excellence in food and drink flavours, textures and aromas for more than 35 years and are highly respected within the UK multiple grocery sector and food producers for the rigour and transparency of the judging process.



These new Irish accolades set out to recognise excellence in product development for food and drink producers, retailers and catering companies in Ireland only, with winners being announced alongside Food and Hospitality Ireland, which takes place in The Industries Hall at The RDS in Dublin from 18th - 19th September.



The awards were open to all Irish retailers, food producers, wholesalers, and food service operators in both Northern Ireland and the Republic which produce food and drink for the retail and catering sectors.



They have been launched to recognise the increasing demand for quality ownlabel and branded ranges at affordable prices within the retail and catering channels, and were judged over a two week period in June at The School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology in Dublin.



The awards draw on the heritage, trust and expertise built up over the last three decades by the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards, which have become a consumer-recognised brand in their own right, with many winners using the logos on-pack and in national press, television and outdoor advertising to highlight their success.