MEP congratulates NI firms

Eighty four local companies and 212 products were recognised as part of the annual awards which are organised by the UK Guild of Fine Food.

Commenting Mr Nicholson said: “I am delighted that a large number of products produced by Northern Ireland companies have been recognised by the UK Guild of Fine Food in the 2016 UK Great Taste Awards.

“Local food and drink companies continue to achieve outstanding levels of success at these prestigious awards. The number and variety of products entered by Northern Ireland businesses for consideration this year once again highlights the level of innovation within the industry locally.

“As a result of regularly meeting with food and drink companies across Northern Ireland I have gained an understanding of the amount of work and passion that goes into successfully developing new products and getting them to market.

“The fact that the judging panel of 450 experts have given their seal of approval to food and drink produced by 84 local companies is therefore excellent news for the individual businesses and entrepreneurs concerned and for the industry as a whole.”

Mr Nicholson concluded: “I congratulate the local businesses recognised in the 2016 UK Great Taste Awards and wish them continued success for the future.”

In 2016 over 400 judges, including specially trained food writers inputting judges’ comments, came together at 49 judging days from March through to early July.

This year the Great Taste judging roadshows took a turn in Tipperary, Ireland as guests of the Tipperary Food Producers and they also had a week in Belfast, supported by their friends at Invest NI.