NI Firms Break Records At UK Great Taste Awards

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Northern Ireland food and drink companies have broken all previous records in this year’s UK Great Taste Awards.

99 Northern Ireland companies have secured an all-time record of 264 awards, including 11 in the highest three-stars category, in the UK’s most important taste competition organised annually by the UK Guild of Fine Food.

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."

Hannan Meats in Moira, winner of the Supreme Champion Award in 2012, gained an unprecedented seven three-star golds, the highest ranking in the awards, for its beef and bacon that’s dry-aged in the world’s biggest Himalayan Salt Chamber.

(CD/MH)