Invest Northern Ireland has congratulated the Northern Ireland companies which racked up 172 awards for products in this year’s annual Great Taste Awards, which were announced today by the Guild of Fine Food.

Invest NI’s Director of Food & Drink, John Hood said “The Great Taste awards demonstrate the outstanding commitment of local companies to innovative and delicious food and drink, especially at this very challenging time for everyone in Northern Ireland.

 “This is a terrific achievement by our companies, especially smaller enterprises, and showcases their tremendous resilience and determination to continue to do business especially in highly competitive markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“We continue to stand with these companies as they seek to grow business both here and abroad. I am confident that our businesses have what it takes to continue to grow against the background of the pandemic.

“They have already – and continue to make a significant contribution to efforts to ‘feed the nation’ and offer shoppers original, richly flavoured and nutritious food and drink with provenance and traceability,” he added.

Of the almost 13,000 entries from around the world, 816 Northern Ireland companies were awarded one gold star, 1,294 two starts and just 205 three stars.

“The breadth of the excellence of our food and drink is showcased in particular by the companies achieving the highest accolade of three gold stars. The two and one star winners also deserve praise for their enterprise.

“Overall, we continue to punch above our weight in an acclaimed global competition. I look forward confidently to the final judging for the overall Supreme Champion title, which our companies have won on three occasions in the past,” he added.,

Among the Great Taste 3-star winners from Northern Ireland are a number of products that deliver big, bold flavours, including; Black Garlic & Porcini Sea Salt from Craic Foods in Craigavon, County Armagh, described as “an umami flavour bomb” by the judges, who loved its “bold mushroom flavour, sweetness from the black garlic and a slight acidic lift toward the end”; the “smooth and silky” Abernethy Lemon Curd from The Little Bakehouse in Dromore, County Down, delivering “plenty of lovely rich butteryness and a massive burst of fresh, bright, fruity lemon”; and the Japanese-inspired Koji Pork Ribs from Hannan Meats in Moira, County Armagh, which bowled the judges over with its “intense umami from the koji, which really enhances the flavour of the pork”, leading one judge to say “this is the most delicious piece of pork I can remember trying.”

The final honours, including the Great Taste 2020 Supreme Champion, will be announced at the virtual Great Taste Golden Fork awards event, set to take place in October.

The Great Taste Awards are recognised as an immensely important stamp of excellence among retailers and consumers.

Taste of Ards and North Down is a collection of individual experiences which celebrate delicious local food and drink, showcasing some of the borough’s finest eateries and breweries. Combined with farmers’ markets and a chance to savour the tastes of our region as local restaurants feature their signature dish throughout the month.

Borough Harvest Markets

Bangor | McKee Clock Arena Saturday 26 September 2020, 10am – 4pm
Comber | The Square, Comber Farmers’ Market Thursday 1 October 9am – 1pm
Newtownards | Conway Square: Saturday 17 October, 8am – 5pm
Weekly markets are a tradition, a fixture in Newtownards and Bangor for almost a century. Strangford Lough seafood, local vegetables, plants, homewares and traditional breads that are baked as you wait are available for you to buy. Harvest Markets offers all that and more, showcasing the very best of the borough weekly markets and bringing to you some wonderful new artisan stalls to stock up on the freshest selection of goods from the area. Don’t forget the borough weekly and monthly markets will also be running during the period.

Foodie Experiences

*Please note when booking the NI Executive guidance from 21 September 2020: The maximum table size is six and is to be composed by a maximum of two households.

Ulster Scots Food and Culture Night in Donaghadee (18+)
8 October 2020, 7pm
A night to celebrate the heritage, culture and food traditions of Donaghadee and the surrounding areas.  Four fantastic restaurants that have elevated the town to the status of a leading foodie destination have come together for one night.  The Bull & Claw, Grace Neills, The Lighthouse Bar & Grill and Pier 36 have created a three course culinary delight from local ingredients that offers a flavour of the very best Ulster-Scots foodie traditions.

Should you have any dietary or access requirements we recommend that you contact the restaurant directly before booking to ensure that your requirements can be met.  The venues will endeavour to accommodate as far as possible. Tickets released 11/09/2020

Surf & Turf at the Brig
Saltwater Brig, Kircubbin (16+)
10 October 2020, 12noon – 3pm 

A whistle stop food and drink tour of the Ards Peninsula all under the roof of the historic Saltwater Brig just outside the village of Kircubbin on the eastern shores of stunning Strangford Lough. Guests will get to try local Angus beef burgers and steaks from Greyabbey alongside superb Strangford Lough langoustines and a special whiskey cocktail from Echlinville.  You’ll hear the stories of the food and drink that you are tasting and get to know the story of the Brig and current proprietors, the McCarthys.
Find out more and Book now

Local Food and Drink Showcases (18+)
A showcase of local talent through wonderful foodie experiences across the borough towns; Donaghadee, Comber and Newtownards.
Harbour and Company, Donaghadee: 15 October 2020, 7pm
The Bull & Claw, Newtownards: 21 October 2020, 7pm
No 14 at The Georgian House, Comber: 22 October 2020, 7pm
Find out more and Book now

Local Dish Month

Ards and North Down is the home to the finest and freshest ingredients, sourced in abundance and here to be discovered in delicious dishes served in our award-winning borough restaurants.
Find out more

Please Note: All events are strictly over 18’s only with the exception of the Surf &Turf at the Brig 16+. Booking essential. (Drinks are not included in the ticket price unless stated in the menu). Details subject to change.

Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy applies

Snacking brand Forest Feast has announced the launch of a new Signature Chocolate Nut range, tapping into the growth in demand for premium and indulgent snacks.

The new range is handcrafted inhouse, using oven roasted nuts coated in real Belgian chocolate.

Bronagh Clarke, Marketing Director at Forest Feast said: “Take-home chocolate is currently growing 15% YoY, with 98% penetration*, and we are seeing between 150-250% growth in our own chocolate ranges. We wanted to bring something different to the confectionery category for consumers by reconciling the goodness of nuts with the indulgence of Belgian chocolate.

“With more people spending time together at home, the range is well primed to meet demand from  the current trend of in-home snacking. Each one has its own unique ingredient twist and they are all oven-roasted with their skin-on to give real depth of flavour”.

Launching with three variants, the range includes:

• Sea Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds. Oven roasted skin-on almonds, drenched in Belgian dark chocolate, with a sprinkling of salt and dusting of cocoa. A rich, intense sweet-salty experience. (Gluten Free, Vegan)
• Belgian Milk Chocolate Brazils. Sustainable Amazonian brazil nuts generously drenched in creamy Belgian milk chocolate for a classic, delicious combination. (Gluten Free, Vegetarian.
• Cookies & Cream Almonds. Oven roasted almonds dunked in delicious Belgian white chocolate & studded with crunchy chocolate cookie crumb. (Vegetarian)

Forest Feast Signature Chocolate Nuts are available now with an RRSP of £3.00/120g.