Northern Ireland Naturally for Great Taste - Stand 959
Winning food and drink in this year's Great Taste Awards will be showcased on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand 959 at this year's Speciality & Fine Food Fair.
At the heart of the unique presentation from Northern Ireland are eight products listed among the Top 50 Foods by the influential UK Guild of Fine Food.
The Northern Ireland Naturally showcase, organised by Invest Northern Ireland, the region's Economic Development agency, features successful products from 101 winning companies which gained 371 gold stars including 18 with top level three-stars.
As well as the three-star winners, 54 Northern Ireland companies achieved two-stars and 213 gained one-star in what was an all-time record for the region. Award winning products cover all categories including meat - beef, bacon and venison, as well as pies, ice cream and tea.
Invest NI Director Dr Vicky Kell, commenting on the awards, said: "The outstanding set of results in what is regarded as the most significant and trend setting food and drink event in the British Isles and is renowned many parts of Europe demonstrate the quality, outstanding taste and creativity of our producers, mostly small and medium sized businesses and artisan enterprises.
"The results highlight that Northern Ireland has become a major food and drink production centre and a source of highly original products that offer outstanding taste, wholesomeness and safety.
"Food and Drink is our biggest and most globally focused industry. It's a £4.5bn business, our biggest manufacturing sector that employs over 100,000 people and sells over 60 per cent of its products abroad.
"While most of the Great Taste winners are smaller businesses, Northern Ireland food and drink also includes UK industry leaders such as Moy Park, Dunbia, Linden Foods, Karro Foods, Foyle Food Group and Dale Farm Dairies.
"Our producers benefit from being part of a very short, fully integrated and robust supply chain that begins with farmers operating to the highest hygiene and animal welfare standards and extends to artisan and other producers focused on innovative foods that combine quality, taste and safety.
"This progressive and vibrant industry is also able to draw on the internationally respected Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University, Belfast."
Dr Kell added that the food and drink industry also benefited from the full support of the Northern Ireland Executive and Invest NI which is focused on assisting companies compete successfully and profitably in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield.
Dr Kell added: "Food and drink in Northern Ireland is also assisted by one of Europe's most efficient transport networks that ensures fast delivery of fresh, frozen and chilled products to Europe and beyond. As a result, our companies are now supplying retailers and foodservice organisations in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. It's an ambitious industry with outstandingly tasty products supported by modern transportation and logistics operations."
Invest NI contact at Speciality & Fine Food Fair, Stand 959: Michelle Charrington, Business Development Director T: 078 1717 3514 E: michelle.charrington@investni.com W: www.buynifood.com