Great taste and innovation from Northern Ireland

Five products from three companies listed in the Top 50 Foods by the UK Guild of Fine Food in this year's prestigious Great Taste Awards will take pride of place on the Northern Ireland presentation in the National Hall, stand no 1965, at the Speciality and Fine Food Show in London.

The five products reflect three of Northern Ireland's most important industries - grass-fed beef, dairy and seafood. They feature two beef products from Hannan Meats along with dairy successes - Abernethy Butter's unique smoked butter and Kearney Blue Cheese - and fresh oysters from Rooney Fish from its own farm in the pristine waters of Carlingford Lough.

Over 200 food and drink products from Northern Ireland gained acclaim in this year's Great Taste Awards. Hannan Meats, for instance, broke all records in Great Taste by taking an unprecedented 59 gold stars for 36 products including four achieving three star status. Hannan Meats is now the most successful company in the history of the Great Taste Awards.

In addition to five products in the Top 50 Food, three others gained three stars, the highest rating in the annual competition. They were Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt and two tea blenders, Suki Teahouse and Thompson's Family Tea.

Visitors to the extensive showcase, organised by Invest Northern Ireland, will be able to sample many of the products successful in the annual Great Taste Awards.

The UK region has enjoyed great success in the awards over the past decade and has twice been awarded the Supreme Champion title. The two Supreme Champions from Northern Ireland are McCartney's Butchers for its silverside Corned Beef (2011) and Hannan Meats for guanciale (2012).

Invest NI's Michelle Charrington, commenting on the Northern Ireland showcase, said:

"Our success in the Great Taste Awards demonstrates the breadth of quality food and drink that our companies, both large and small, produce on a consistent basis for customers throughout the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and further afield including other parts of Europe as well as the US, Middle East and Asia.

"Northern Ireland companies are now successful in virtually every sector of the agri-food industry including meat, dairy, bread and bakery, vegetables and seafood especially shellfish.

"They produce innovative, wholesome and safe food and drink with heritage and provenance. Most of the producers are smaller businesses located close to suppliers of ingredients especially the region's family farms operating to the highest hygiene and welfare standards. Many of the producers combine artisan techniques and traditions with the capability to provide products in volume.

"The products of our companies are prized by major UK and international supermarkets, leading delis and foodservice operations worldwide. This means they have the experience and commitment to meet requirements for consistently tasty products delivered on time and offering tremendous value for money."