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Fourteen products from seven Northern Irish companies were awarded the highest accolade of three gold stars in the prestigious annual event organised by the influential UK Guild of Fine Food. Around 70 local companies secured almost 320 gold stars.

Genesis Crafty, the Northern Irish craft bakery has announced plans to invest &pound1.4 million to help drive sales faster in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

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 the most prestigious awards for food and drink products on sale throughout Ireland, Great Britain and further afield.

Poultry processor Moy Park, Northern Ireland's largest food company and only ?1 billion business, has seen profits rise five-fold over the past year.

Pre-tax profits reached ?24.4 million in the 2012 calendar year, up from just ?4.8 million a year earlier. Turnover climbed 1.6 per cent to ?1.09 billion over the period.

Dale Farm, Northern Ireland’s biggest cheese producer, gained a string of gold, silver and bronze awards at the world’s biggest cheese event at Nantwich in Cheshire.

Northern Ireland’s food and drink industry continued to show significant growth during 2012, according to official statistics.

Against a background of continuing economic challenges, the industry increased turnover by 4.2 per to ?4.2 billion and continues to be Northern Ireland’s single biggest manufacturer, contributing 25 per cent of output – down, however, by one per cent on the previous year. In 2011, the industry grew by 6.3 per cent to ?3.98billion.

Visitors to the unique Kilbeggan Whiskey distillery in the Republic of Ireland are now able to enjoy luxury ice cream made by Glastry Farm in Northern Ireland using the historic spirit.

Fivemiletown Creamery, Northern Ireland’s pioneer of award winning soft cheeses, has been successful at the world’s most important event for the industry – the International Cheese Awards, the results of which were announced recently.

Northern Ireland’s original real ale business, Hilden Brewery recently won the top award at a major beer festival in Dublin.

Hilden’s ‘Twisted Hop’ was selected from 130 beers to win the Dublin Craft Beer Cup in the International Craft Brewing and Distilling Competition in Dublin this year for the first time, in conjunction with ‘The Gathering’ international tourism initiative.

Grace’s, the successful Northern Irish food business has diversified into beverages with the launch of a new drinking chocolate. The company has created Grace’s Finest Irish Drinking Chocolate in a special presentation tin that revives Northern Ireland’s chocolate heritage.