Northern Ireland Food and Drink Companies Success in Irish Food Awards
Christmas came early for Genesis Crafty, the Northern Irish artisan bread and cake business, at this month's Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards in Dublin. Genesis Crafty, a family-owned and managed business in Magherafelt, county Derry, won the prestigious Christmas Q category for its Exquisite Mince Pies for German discounter Aldi in the Republic of Ireland.
Genesis also won the Wheaten and Soda Bread category for its Sean Brown Soda Bread produced for SuperValu and Centra.
One of Northern Ireland's smallest companies, Camran Artisan Crafts of Carrickfergus, county Antrim was also named Dunnes Stores Simply Better Small Producer of the Year for its Orange, Mango and Gin Marshmallow. The company is a partnership between two friends.
The two companies were among more than 20 from Northern Ireland to be named among the winners and commendations in the annual celebration of the best of Irish food and drink.
Northern Ireland artisan producers swept the awards in key categories such as Cider, Ales and Porter and Liqueurs. Tempted Irish Cider, based in Lisburn, county Antrim, gained the platinum award for its recently launched Elderflower Cider.
There were other major awards for two Portadown, county Armagh companies, Mac Ivors and McCann's. Farmageddon, a brewery co-operative from Comber, county Down gained a platinum award for its Pale Ale and gold for its Irish Export Porter. Niche Drinks in Derry was awarded gold for its Tesco Finest Salted Cream Liqueur.
The revival of the historic Irish Lumper potato gained Glens of Antrim Potatoes a category award in the Unprepared Salads category. The potato dates back to the 1840s.
There were category wins for the following Northern Ireland food and drink:
Golden Wonder, part of Tayto, Tandragee, county Armagh, for its Select Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar Crisps for Spar in Bagged Snacks - Savoury;
Forest Feast of Craigavon, county Armagh for its Dunne's Stores Cacao Mix in Bagged Snacks - Sweet;
Dale Farm, Belfast in Cheese- Hard for Rathdaragh Irish Extra Mature Cheddar for Lidl;
Mash Direct, Comber, county Down for Veggie Burgers in Free-From Chilled; and
Avondale Foods, Lurgan, county Armagh, for Cook at Home Potato Gratin for Dunnes Stores.
Overall Northern Ireland Award Winners 2016
GOLD WINNER - CHRISTMAS Q
Aldi Exquisite Mince Pies
Genesis Crafty, Magherafelt, county Derry
DUNNES STORES SIMPLY BETTER SMALL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Orange, Mango and Gin Marshmallow
Camran Crafts, Carrickfergus, county Antrim
Bagged Snacks - Savoury
WINNER: SPAR Select Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar Crisps
Golden Wonder, Tandragee, county Armagh
Commended: Aldi Brasserie Thai Sweet Chilli Crisps
Golden Wonder, Tandragee, county Armagh
Bagged Snacks - Sweet
WINNER: Dunnes Stores Cacao Mix
Forest Feast, Portadown, county Armagh
Bread - Morning Goods
Commended: Lidl Connell Bakery Mini Pancakes
Hovis, Belfast
Bread - Wheaten and Soda Breads
WINNER: SuperValu & Centra Sean Brown Soda Bread
Genesis Crafty, Magherafelt, county Derry
Cereals - Porridge
Highly Commended: Lidl Deluxe Organic Wafer Oats
Whites Speedicook, Tandragee, county Armagh
Cheese - Hard
Lidl Rathdaragh Irish Extra Mature Cheddar
Dale Farm, Belfast
Children's Food
Highly Commended: Heavenly Crispy Veggie Sweet Beet and Shallot Waffles
Heavenly Tasty Organics, Augher, county Tyrone
Coffee
Highly Commended: Continental Coffee
Johnsons Coffee, Hillsborough, county Antrim
Free From - Chilled
WINNER: Vegetable Burgers - Mash Direct, Comber, county Down
Free From - Frozen
Highly Commended: Pizzado Gluten Free Cheese and Tomato
Choice Pizza, Portaferry, county Down
Free From - Savoury
Highly Commended: SuperValu Gluten Free Pepperoni Pizza
Crust and Crumb, Derrylin, county Fermanagh
Meat - Beef Steaks
Commended: Lidl Hereford Fillet Steaks
Linden Foods, Dungannon, county Tyrone
Meat - Innovation
Commended: M&S BBQ Grill Louisiana BBQ Spatchies
Moy Park, Craigavon, county Armagh
Meat - Poultry
Highly Commended: M&S BBQ Grill Jamaican Jerk Spatchcock
Moy Park, Craigavon, county Armagh
Pizzas
Highly Commended: Lidl Italiamo Goats Cheese, Spinach & Caramlised Onion Pizza
Crust & Crumb Bakery, Derrylin, county Fermanagh
Commended: Pizzado Pepperoni, Choice Pizza, Portaferry, county Down
Quiches, Pies and Pasties
Commended: Lidl Chef Select Single Serve Premium Pies - Beef & Stout
Daily Bake, Armagh, county Armagh
Lidl Deluxe Goats Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Quiche, McColgans, Strabane, county Tyrone
Salad & Vegetables - UnPrepared
WINNER: Irish Lumpers - Glens of Antrim Potatoes, Cushendall, county Antrim
Salad - Prepared
Highly Commended: Dunnes Stores Simply Better Charlotte Mint & Yogurt Potato Salad
Avondale Foods, Lurgan, county Armagh
Lidl Meadow Fresh Mediterranean Salad Bowl, Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, county Down
Commended: Country Kitchen Sweet Chilli Noodle Salad, Avondale Foods, Lurgan, county Armagh
Vegetables - Prepared
Highly Commended: Aldi Shredded Kale, Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, county Down
Crispy Onions, Milgro, Coleraine, county Derry
Commended: Lidl Deluxe Stuffed Flat Mushrooms with Leek & Wensleydale Cheese
Hughes Mushrooms, Dungannon, county Tyrone
Side Dishes
Dunnes Stores Cook at Home Potato Gratin
Avondale Foods, Lurgan, county Armagh
Highly Commended: Lidl Deluxe Stuffed Flat Mushrooms with Cheddar, Smoked Bacon & Rosemary, Hughes Mushrooms, Dungannon, county Tyrone
Soups
Commended: Vegetable Soup with a Spud, Morrow Foods, Cookstown, county Tyrone
Irish Quality Drink Awards
Ciders
PLATINUM:
Tempted Elderflower Cider, Tempted Cider Company, Lisburn, county Antrim
SILVER:
Plum & Ginger Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, Portadown, county Armagh
BRONZE:
Lidl The Crafty Brewing Company Crafty Dry Cider
McCanns Cider, Craigavon, county Armagh
Lidl The Crafty Brewing Company Crafty Medium Cider
McCanns Cider, Craigavon, county Armagh
Pale Ales & IPA
PLATINUM:
Farmageddon Gold Pale Ale, Farmageddon Brewing Co-Op, Comber, county Down
Stouts & Porters
GOLD:
Farmageddon India Export Porter, Farmageddon Brewing Co-Op, Comber, county Down
Liqueurs, Speciality Spirits & Fortified Wines
GOLD:
Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur, Niche Drinks Co, Londonderry, county Derry