NI Foods Break Taste Awards Records

Northern Ireland's food and drink companies have broken all previous records in this year’s UK Great Taste Awards.

99 Northern Ireland companies secured 264 awards, including 11 in the highest three-stars category, at the UK event, which is organised annually by the UK Guild of Fine Food.

Enterprise and Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: "This is an outstanding set of results in what is regarded as the most significant and trend setting food and drink event in the British Isles, and many parts of Europe.

"It demonstrates the quality, outstanding taste and creativity of producers, mostly smaller businesses and artisan enterprises here. The spread of award winners to virtually every part of Northern Ireland recognises the strength of our food industry, and in particular the meat sector, where eleven of the 18 products listed received three-stars.

"Our companies have achieved more three-star golds this year than ever before, an overall total of 349 gold stars, and more than any other region of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. This highlights that Northern Ireland has become the UK’s main food and drink production centre, a source of products that offer outstanding taste, wholesomeness and safety. I would like to congratulate all of those who have been recognised for their hard work and dedication."

This year’s awards included the first ever judging session to be held in Belfast. 405 judges were involved in the seven-week judging process that involved 10,000 individual products from the UK and Republic of Ireland.

(IT/CD)