Northern Irish shortlist in Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards
More than 20 products from 13 different Northern Irish companies have been short listed in the second annual Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. They are among 180 short listed products in 50 categories to reach the finals on 11 September in Dublin.
The Northern Irish contenders feature some of the region's biggest food producers across a range of categories and include the likes of bakers Irwin's in Craigavon and Genesis, Magherafelt, county Londonderry/Derry as well as Dale Farm, Belfast, the region's biggest dairy company and meat processors Dunbia and Linden, both based in Dungannon, county Tyrone
The listings also feature smaller producers such as Glenarm Organic Salmon in county Antrim, Unimush, county Armagh, The Good Food and Wine Company, Coleraine, county Derry, Quinn's Gelato, Cookstown, county Tyrone, DJ Ciders and Juices, Lisburn, county Antrim, Blackberry Hill Farm, Gilford, county Armagh and Pizzado, Portavogie, county Down.
Shane McArdle, Invest Northern Ireland, one of the event sponsors, says: "We see the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, as a marvellous opportunity to showcase the originality, innovation, variety and heritage of quality and safety that underpins the food and drink from Northern Ireland companies.
"Several of our companies were successful in last year's inaugural awards and subsequently saw business increase with major retailers in the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and further afield including the United Arab Emirates, now buying speciality breads from Irwin's Bakery. We expect to see further successes in this year's event, providing a growth platform for both large and smaller producers."
The Irish Quality Food Awards set out to recognise excellence in product development for food and drink producers, retailers and catering companies in Ireland only, with Q Awards being awarded across 50different categories.
The Overall Gold Q is awarded to the one product that stands out among all the other entries and is chosen from the winners of the main categories, representing the very best of the best.
The awards are open to all retailers, food producers, wholesalers and food service operators across Northern and Southern Ireland. They are a unique collaboration between Food and Hospitality Ireland and the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards (now in its 33rd year) and sponsored by top UK packaging manufacturer, Benson Group as well as Invest Northern Ireland and MLS Labelling and Printing Systems.
Northern Ireland companies short listed in Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards
Bread
Large Loaf - Irwin's Bakery Fruit Loaf (Tesco), Portadown, county Armagh
Morning Goods
Genesis Crafty Mini Sultana Scone, Magherafelt, county Derry
Genesis Crafty Blueberry Pancakes
Speciality Breads
Irwin's Bakery Cinnamon and Raisin Soda Bread ( Lidl)
Irwin's Bakery Stout Bread (Lidl)
Wheaten and Soda
Genesis Crafty Toaster Wheaten
McErlain's Wheaten Soda Bannock (Musgrave Retail Partners), Magherafelt, county Derry
Cheese
Irish Extra Mature Cheddar - Dale Farm (Lidl)
Irish Vintage Cheddar - Dale Farm (Lidl)
Chocolate and Confectionery
The Good Food and Wine Company, Coleraine, county Derry - Yellowman Honeycomb covered with Dark Chocolate
Cold Beverages
The Good Food and Wine Company, Coleraine, co Derry - Green Apple Beer (Non Alcoholic)
The Good Food and Wine Company - Fresh and Zesty Cider
DJ's Ciders and Juices, Lisburn, county Armagh - Tempted? Special Reserve Irish Craft Cider and Summer Sweet Irish Craft Cider
Hot Drinks
The Good Food and Wine Company - Cinnamon Hot Toddy
Dairy Butters and Spreads
Golden Cow - Kerry Foods, Portadown, county Armagh
Dairy Ice Cream
Quinn's Gelato, Cookstown, county Tyrone - Raspberry and White Chocolate Gelato
Fresh Fish
Glenarm Organic Salmon, county Antrim
Meat - Beef Steaks
Blackberry Hill Farm, Gilford, County Armagh - 21 day matured European Angus Sirloin Steak
Linden Foods. Dungannon, county Tyrone - Inishvale Hereford Fillet Steak
Linden Foods, Dungannon, county Tyrone - Irish Hereford Striploin Steak
Burgers and Meats Ball
Dunbia, Dungannon, county Tyrone - The Co-operative Chilli meatballs
Pizza
PizzaDo, (Choice Pizza Ltd), Portavogie, county Down - PizzaDo
Side Dishes
Unimush, Armagh, county Armagh - Mini Stuffed Mushrooms with Garlic and Cream Cheese (Lidl)
All excess food from the judging was given to The Capuchin Centre for Homeless People, which provides warm food each day and more than 1800 food hampers a week to vulnerable people in Dublin, and FareShare.
The awards repeat last year's trade media partnership with Retail News magazine, while forming a consumer-media partnership with Easy Food magazine.