22/10/2026
Muir Hails BBC Food And Farming Awards' Northern Ireland Debut
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2026 to Northern Ireland ahead of tonight's ceremony in Belfast.
The prestigious UK-wide accolades are being hosted in Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history, with the event taking place at Titanic Belfast today, Wednesday 21 October. The region has also attracted a record number of entries this year.
Minister Muir, who will jointly present the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award with Eve Blair, said: "I'm proud to welcome the BBC Food and Farming Awards to Belfast and Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history."
"These prestigious, UK-wide awards celebrate the very best in food and farming, and the people and businesses driving the sector forward. It is particularly exciting to see Northern Ireland strongly represented among this year's finalists. That is a powerful vote of confidence in the quality, innovation and ambition of our food and farming sector."
The Minister continued: "I'm looking forward to joining everyone at Titanic Belfast later today and to presenting the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award. Good luck to all the nominees, and especially those representing Northern Ireland. You are doing us proud on the national stage."
The BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award, new for 2026, recognises people who provide high-quality, home-grown, seasonal food that reflects Northern Ireland's unique food identity.
DAERA also encouraged the public to follow departmental updates on social media, and advised that media queries should be directed to its Press Office, with out-of-hours support available via the Executive Information Service.
The prestigious UK-wide accolades are being hosted in Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history, with the event taking place at Titanic Belfast today, Wednesday 21 October. The region has also attracted a record number of entries this year.
Minister Muir, who will jointly present the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award with Eve Blair, said: "I'm proud to welcome the BBC Food and Farming Awards to Belfast and Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history."
The Minister continued: "I'm looking forward to joining everyone at Titanic Belfast later today and to presenting the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award. Good luck to all the nominees, and especially those representing Northern Ireland. You are doing us proud on the national stage."
The BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award, new for 2026, recognises people who provide high-quality, home-grown, seasonal food that reflects Northern Ireland's unique food identity.
DAERA also encouraged the public to follow departmental updates on social media, and advised that media queries should be directed to its Press Office, with out-of-hours support available via the Executive Information Service.
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