Tasty Northern Irish contenders in British Street Food Awards
Twelve Northern Irish street-food traders have been shortlisted for the local heat of the British Street Food Awards. It's the first time that Northern Ireland has featured in the awards. The judging will be part of the annual International Oyster Festival in Hillsborough, county Down on 3rd September.
A panel of expert judges will select two from Northern Ireland for the national final of the British Street Food Awards in Birmingham on 17/18 September.
The 12 Northern Ireland contenders have been chosen from over 30 local street food vendors which entered the regional heat. The 12 will have to impress the public with innovative and outstandingly tasty food that also has a great visual appeal.
Shortlisted in Northern Ireland are food producers which have already won UK Great Taste Awards such as Broughgammon Farm from Ballycastle, county Antrim, a cabrito specialist, Krazibaker of Dromore, county Down, a baker of traditional Irish griddle breads and snack food business Linen Hill Kitchen of Banbridge, county Armagh. Mourne Seafood Bar in Belfast, one of Northern Ireland's most successful seafood restaurants, has also gained a shortlisting for its mobile bar specialising in lobster burgers and oysters.
The Northern Ireland regional heat is organised by Food NI, Tourism NI and the International Oyster Festival in Hillsborough.
Raising the quality and profile of street food is a key objective of the current Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink, an initiative by Tourism NI and Food NI. The sector in the UK is estimated to be worth around £600 million a year.
Don Spence, chairman, Hillsborough International Oyster Festival, says: "We are delighted to be hosting the first ever Northern Ireland heat of the British Street Food Awards at the Festival. The awards are an integral part of our festival activities on 3rd September and we look forward to welcoming food connoisseurs from across the country to Hillsborough and of course sampling all the delicious street food on offer."
The British Street Food Awards was launched in 2009 by UK food journalist Richard Johnson who had enjoyed delicacies from around the world and wanted to encourage the industry's growth in Britain. He subsequently won the backing of celebrity chefs such as Mark Hix and Marco Pierre White as well as respected food writers including Tom Parker Bowles.
"We had a Northern Irish entrant in the first ever British Street Food Awards back in 2010. The business was Rocket and Relish -- a beautiful trailer serving Dexter burgers from Northern Ireland, with Cashel Blue cheese. They made a lot of friends that weekend. But we've had no Northern Irish entrants since -- so we decided to come and find the best for ourselves," Mr Johnson says.
"2016 is Northern Ireland's Year of Food, celebrating the bounty of land and sea, and we're honoured -- more than a little excited -- to be parking up at the world-famous Hillsborough International Oyster Festival.
"We're been really impressed by the CVs of Northern Ireland's finest traders, and the way they allow the amazing ingredients to speak for themselves," he adds.
The 12 Northern Ireland Street Food vendors taking part in the regional heat of the British Street Food Awards 2016 are:
Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle, county Antrim
Linen Hill Kitchen, Banbridge, county Armagh
The Fabulous Food Factory, Lisburn, county Antrim
Pheasants Hill Farm Kitchen, Downpatrick, county Down
Krazibaker, Dromore, county Down
Rocket Van, Banbridge, county Armagh
Cuban Sandwich Factory, Belfast
Café Livanto, Belfast
Piccolo Mondo, Belfast
On The Hoof, Belfast
Wolf and Devour, Bangor, county Down
Mourne Seafood Bar, Belfast.