The winners of the Secondary and Special Schools categories of the NI Breakfast Rap Competition were announced at the Balmoral Show on Wednesday.

Food NI, supported by DARD Regional Food Programme, the Ulster Farmers Union and HGCA hosted the final of the kids ‘Breakfast Rap’ competition at Balmoral in the Food NI marquee before a large audience.

Mark Lima from City Beat radio compered the grand final where budding rap stars from St Peter’s High School in Londonderry and St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon took to the stage before the judging panel and audience to compete for the top prize. Caoimhe Mallon and Eavann Mallon from St Patrick’s took the crown with their entertaining and innovative rap ‘What to eat today?’. Runners up were ‘Brekka Brekka Fast’ rap by Roisin Clarke, Seanin Corrigan and Amy Daly, also from St Patrick’s and ‘Launch into life with breakfast’ performed by Daniel Wade, Dylan Lynch and Patrick McClean from St Peter’s High School.

Joseph Noble of Park School Educational and Resource Centre was selected as the winner of the Special Schools category with his rap ‘Shrek loves Readybrek’ which his friend Benjamin Wilkinson performed live in his absence.

Robert Moore UFU Seeds & Cereals Chairman on behalf of all the co-ordinating partners commented; “Our competition was aimed to encourage and inspire children to put their creative skills to the test and produce a ‘Rap’ to celebrate Northern Ireland food and promote breakfast. The level of professionalism and enthusiasm has far exceeded our expectations and we were delighted with the final result. We wish to congratulate the finalists and commend all those children who submitted entries on their efforts and talents.

“Our Judging panel Mark Gowdy from Whites Speedicook, Kevin McCann of McCann Juice and Patricia Erwin, Ulster Farmers’ Union were not only entertained but amazed at the level of talent displayed. Ultimately it was the judging panel who were challenged on the day to choose the outright winner of the Secondary Schools category.”

Presenting the awards, Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA said: “Local producers can offer us a wide range of foods right here on our doorstep so there’s no better way to start the day than with a breakfast of ‘good home produced’ food. A good breakfast can help boost performance at both school and work and also improve overall health. Shopping for local products and ingredients is also good for the environment and a way in which each of us can play a part in boosting the local economy.

Today’s finalists have combined these key messages in an entertaining and creative way. I congratulate them and everyone else who took part in the competition and hope that they will continue to pass the message on.”

Michele Shirlow on behalf of Food NI added; “This new funky initiative to actively encourage kids to think about and talk about the importance of stating each day with breakfast has clearly been positively embraced. It’s important for us to challenge ourselves and identify new and exciting ways to communicate better and more effectively with children and young people and nurture a healthy interest in quality food.”

All finalists received a medal and the winners, who were awarded a luxury breakfast hamper, will also have the opportunity to visit the Citybeat radio studio and have their rap played on air!