Holmes Deli targets Republic for faster growth

Holmes Delicatessen, the Northern Irish producer of a wide range of sweet and savoury bakes, tray bakes, desserts and salads, is aiming to build on its recent success in the Great Taste Awards (GTA) to expand sales in the Republic of Ireland and to break into the market in Great Britain.

The company, based at Craigavon in County Armagh, gained gold stars from the high profile GTA judging panel for two separate products - caramel slice with a shortbread base covered with milk chocolate andsmoked bacon and cheddar quiche. This year's double follows the company's success with its home baked shortbread in the 2011/2 awards.

Operating from a purpose-built plant, Holmes Delicatessen already supplies retailers and foodservice operators in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, where customers include Spar. The awards for the company in the 2012/13 awards were in the 'Biscuits' and 'Quiches' categories.

Holmes Delicatessen which was established in 1937 was acquired by Hungry House Foods in 2009 and produces a superb range of savoury bakes, desserts and biscuits. The family of products represent a unique blend of traditional recipes and ingredients with convenience, and are available in convenience stores across Northern Ireland. Recently the company has agreed to supply its range of tray bakes and biscuits to a large retail chain in the South of Ireland.

Harold Irwin, managing director of Hungry House Foods, says: "We are delighted with this award. Winning a Great Taste Award recognises the hard work and dedication that goes into making our superb products. Our caramel shortbread is a fantastic example of how using high quality ingredients and retaining the tradition of the product is a winning combination both with the judges and consumers."

Richard Irwin, marketing manager of Holmes Deli, says: "The latest awards are a tremendous boost for the business because they are a widely recognised badge of quality, taste and innovation.The awards guarantee a product has been through a rigorous and independent judging process. It's not about smart packaging or clever marketing - it's all about taste.

"Great Taste recognises the craft and dedication that goes into making superb food and drink. It's marvellous to be recognised by the largest and most trusted accreditation scheme for speciality and fine food and drink in the UK and Ireland. Our products use on the finest ingredients and are made to the highest standards.

"This recognition will be an important marketing tool as we seek to grow our business in key markets as the Republic of Ireland and further afield."

Guild of Fine Food chairman Bob Farrand said that each of the food and drink products entered into Great Taste undergoes the most rigorous scrutiny.

The company was successful in the prestigious accreditation scheme, which saw 8,807 food and drink products blind-tasted and whittled down over the course of 45 days by 350 experts.

Judges this year included Masterchef winner and restaurateur Mat Follas, restaurant critic and Masterchef judge Charles Campion, food writers Lucas Hollweg and Xanthe Clay and over 300 food buyers from leading food halls, delicatessens and farm shops, including Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason.