Muir welcomes BBC Food and Farming Awards to Northern Ireland
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2026 to Northern Ireland, ahead of tonight’s ceremony in Belfast.
The prestigious UK-wide awards are being held in Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history, with the ceremony taking place at Titanic Belfast today, Wednesday 21 October. Northern Ireland has also attracted a record number of entries this year.
Minister Muir, who will jointly present the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award with Eve Blair, said: “I’m proud to welcome the BBC Food and Farming Awards to Belfast and Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history.
"These prestigious, UK-wide awards celebrate the very best in food and farming, and the people and businesses driving the sector forward. It is particularly exciting to see Northern Ireland strongly represented among this year’s finalists. That is a powerful vote of confidence in the quality, innovation and ambition of our food and farming sector.”
The Minister continued: “I’m looking forward to joining everyone at Titanic Belfast later today and to presenting the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award. Good luck to all the nominees, and especially those representing Northern Ireland. You are doing us proud on the national stage.”
The BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award is a new category for 2026, celebrating people who provide high-quality, home-grown, seasonal food reflecting Northern Ireland’s unique food identity.