The stars are out above Northern Ireland as pastures, mountains and sea deliver truly Great Taste

Invest Northern Ireland has congratulated the Northern Ireland companies which racked up 215 product awards in this year’s annual Great Taste Awards, which were announced this week by the Guild of Fine Food.

Products from every corner of Northern Ireland’s natural landscape feature on this year’s list of Great Taste award-winners, which was announced on Tuesday 21 September 2021. Out of the 5,383 products worldwide to receive a Great Taste 1-, 2- or 3-star accolade from the largest and most trusted food and drink awards on the planet, 215 are based in Northern Ireland.

Seven local companies were awarded the much coveted ‘3 Stars’ accolade this year including:

  • Craigavon-based Hannan Meats for its Sugar Pit Bacon Rack, a French trimmed pork loin traditionally hand cured and sweetened with a blend of three sugars;
  • Lisdergan Butchery’s Murley Mountain Rack of Lamb, produced in Omagh;
  • Millbay Oysters from Rooney Fish in Newry, Down;
  • Caramelized Hazelnut Ice Cream from Portstewart-based Morelli’s Ice Cream;
  • Lisburn’s Pure Roast Coffee Valentia coffee beans from Brazil;
  • Musgrave Retail Partners Signature Tastes Riojan Chorizo Cular – a dry cured pork sausage and
  • Kilkeel-based Crawford Rock Seaweed  Co for their Seaweed Salt.   

Congratulating the companies, Invest NI’s Director of Food & Drink, John Hood said: “Northern Ireland’s success at this year’s Great Taste awards demonstrates the outstanding commitment of local companies to innovate and produce delicious food and drink, especially during what has been a difficult 18 months for the industry.

“We are punching above our weight in a renowned global competition with the excellence of our food and drink being showcased, in particular by the companies achieving the highest accolade of three gold stars. The two and one star winners also deserve praise for their creativity, hardwork and dedication.

 “I am confident that our businesses have what it takes to continue to grow against the background of the pandemic and I would like to congratulate all of those who have been recognised by the Guild of Fine Food, an immensely important stamp of excellence.”

Every Great Taste award-winning product will now be able to display the unmistakable black and gold logo, a stamp of excellence that is recognised by retailers and consumers alike. A wide range of these winning products are already available to buy in delis, farm shops and independent retail outlets across the country.  

All Great Taste 3-star award-winning products will be re-judged to find this year’s regional Golden Fork Trophy winners and the Great Taste Supreme Champion 2021. These final results will be announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Reception on Sunday 17 October, set to be held at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate following the first day of Fine Food Show North, a trade-only exhibition organised by the Guild of Fine Food.