Four from Northern Ireland win Irish Quality Food Awards

Wednesday 17th September 2014


Four products from Northern Irish companies gained category awards recently in the annual Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards (IQFA) in Dublin.



The successful Northern Irish products were among 57 from across the island of Ireland to collect trophies. The Northern Irish winners were:






  • Dale Farm, Belfast, Northern Ireland's biggest dairy company, in the Cheese category for its Irish Extra Mature Cheddar supplied to Lidl;




  • Dj's Juice and Cider, Lisburn, county Antrim in Ciders for its Tempted Summer Sweet Irish Cider;




  • Genesis Craft, Magherafelt, county Derry in Wheaten and Soda Breads for its Toaster Wheaten; and




  • Pizzado, Kilkeel, county Down in Pizzas for its Choice Pizza kit.



    • In addition, The Good Food and Wine Company from Coleraine, county Derry had three Highly Commended products - Hot Toddy, Non-Alcoholic Green Apple Beer and Fresh and Zesty Cider.



    The awards, part sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland, were presented at a gala event in the Mansion House, Dublin.



    They were presented by popular Irish TV chef and author Catherine Fulvio who congratulated the winners on their contribution to the Irish food and drink industry.



    The IQFAs represent a unique collaboration between Food and Hospitality Ireland (formerly SHOP) and the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards, which have been rewarding excellent in food for over 30 years.



    The awards are renowned among multiple grocery sectors and food producers for their trustworthy and rigorous judging process which provides truly honest winners.













    The awards set out to recognise excellence in product development for food and drink producers, retailers and catering companies in Ireland.


    To ensure complete equality within the judging process, the IQFA's kitchen team of home economists at Dublin's Institute of Technology prepared all the products as per the supplied manufacturers' instructions before presenting to the judging panel. Working through each delicious category across two weeks, one session at a time, a judging team of over 70 respected food journalists, chefs, producers, retailers, NPD specialists, cooks and bloggers from across Ireland tasted over 600 products.



    Pic Caption: Agnes Bouchier-Hayes; Karyn Boyd, Choice Pizza; Catherine Fulvio and Lara Monagan.





    Highly Commended:



    Bread - Morning Goods: Genesis Crafty Mini Sultana Scones



    Bread - Speciality Breads: Lidl / WD Irwin & Sons Cinnamon & Raisin Soda Bread



    Cheese - Lidl Irish Vintage Cheddar - Dale Farm Dairies



    Fish - Fresh Fish: Glenarm OrganicSalmon



    Fresh Meat, Game and Poultry - Beef Steaks: Inisvale Irish Hereford Fillet Steaks, Linden Foods



    Frozen Food - Sweet: Raspberry & White Chocolate Gelato, Quinn's Gelato



    Hot Beverages - Other: Cinnamon Hot Toddy (non -alcoholic), The Good Food & Wine Co


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