Punjana Tea is Northern Ireland's Best Brand

Punjana Tea has been named Northern Ireland's Best Brand in the region's annual food and drink marketing awards.

The principal brand of Thompson's Family Teas, a family business based in Belfast that's been blending tea in Northern Ireland for over a century, Punjana came out on top in this year's Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards.

Punjana won the prestigious award for the company's sustained and imaginative marketing campaign during the year. It was chosen by a panel of expert judges from the industry in Northern Ireland.

Ross Thompson, joint manager of Thompson's Family Teas, commenting on the award, says: "We are thrilled to win the Best Brand Marketing Award for Punjana Tea. It's a tremendous endorsement of the quality of the product and our marketing drive in what is among the most competitive marketplaces."

As well as being Northern Ireland's biggest selling tea, Punjana is on sale in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The company has also developed successful green and peppermint teas.

Highly commended in this category was Irwin's Bakery in Craigavon, county Armagh, Northern Ireland's largest independent baker.

Other food companies, mostly smaller enterprises, were also recognised for their marketing skills displayed during the year.

The awards included a new artisan category recognising the vibrancy of this sector that also included start-up businesses.

Food companies in the awards were:

Best Artisan Marketing Campaign - Mange Tout Deli in Downpatrick, county Down, a baker of French patisserie, breads, quiches and premium pies and restaurant owner;

Peppup Sauces of Portaferry in county Down, a producer of Italian style sauces, was named runner up in this category;

Cavanagh Free Range Eggs of Newtownbutler, county Fermanagh was highly commended in the Best Export Marketing Award for its success in developing business for its award-winning eggs in Britain and the Republic; and

SparNI won the Best New Product Launch for it's The Kitchen range of dishes produced with local food manufacturers.