Award Winning Food and Drink in Ards and North Down
Ards and North Down is at the heart of this strengthening culinary culture with leading agri-food companies exporting worldwide, and home to an abundance of thriving food and drink producers whose creativity is celebrated and internationally recognised with a plethora of awards.
The success of our local producers is reflected in the numerous prestigious accolades including many Great Taste Awards and Blas na hÉireann award wins.
Taste AND Food Heroes Awards 2022
Let's flash back to the Local Food and Drinks Producers Recognised at TASTE AND Food Heroes Awards held in 2022.
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Taste AND Food Heroes Awards 2023
On Wednesday 8 February 2023, local food and drinks producers were recognised at the second annual TASTE AND Local Food and Drink Hero Awards, hosted by the Council at Clandeboye Estate.
2022 proved to be a hugely successful year with 18 local food and drink producers claiming industry awards across a range of national and international standards. The TASTE AND Local Food and Drink Hero Awards recognised their achievements at a prestigious ceremony that included the presentation of the Lady Dufferin Producer of the Year Award, this year to Olivia and Stephen Stewart of Habenaro Steve’s.
Many other businesses were recognised for their achievements during the evening too, with a wide range of producers from across the Borough celebrating their successes.
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Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2023
Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards is in its 16th year and is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Members of the Taste Ards and North Down Food and Drink Network travelled to Dingle in October, in the hopes of winning one of these coveted awards.
Congratulations to the following Ards and North Down, Award Winners and Top 5 Finalists for 2023
Awards
- Capparelli Cooks – Casarecce Pasta – Chef’s Larder Award
- Mash Direct - Beer Battered Onion Rings - Gold
- Habanero Steve’s - Mexican Slammer - Gold
- Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Cloudy Lemonade Cordial - Gold
- Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Extra Hot Belfast Ginger Ale - Gold
- Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Best Producer In County Down - Gold
- Copeland Distillery – Coffee Liqueur - Silver
- Willowbrook Foods – Lidl Red Cabbage with Bramley Apple - Bronze
Top 5 Finalists
- Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt - Mandarin & Lime Yoghurt
- Bow Bells – Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls
- Bow Bells – Chicken Balti Pie
- Morning Glory Granola – Wild at Heart Granola
- Bro Coffee Company - LÁRRÓST Roasted Coffee Blend
- Rock A Doodle Do -Banshee BBQ
- Rock A Doodle Do - Dunville Whiskey Sauce
Read more about Ards and North Down Winners at Blas na hÉireann Food Awards 2023 | Find out more about Taste Ards and North Down
