Alastair’s savoury spread tipped for global award for original flavours

Expert judges at the International Food and Drink Exhibition (IFE) in London, a leading global food and drink show, shortlisted Irish Black Butter, a small enterprise founded by County Antrim businessman Alastair Bell to create ‘a new taste of Ireland’, is shortlisted in the prestigious IFE World Food Innovation Awards 2025.

The multi-award-winning sweet/savour sauce is the only local product in the awards that attract the attention of retailers and suppliers from the UK, Europe and further afield.

Founded by Alastair in 2017, the sauce, which is made from Armagh Bramley apples, has already collected a string of international food awards for outstanding taste and premium quality, including several UK Great Taste awards.

The IFE World Food Innovation Award recognises the most innovative food and drink and ground breaking ideas from across the globe and provides business opportunities in international markets.

Alastair, who has a farming background, says: “Being shortlisted for an IFE World Food Innovation Award is a marvellous boost for the business and will help to raise the profile of Irish Black Butter around the world.

“We are already selling in a couple of export markets, especially the US. This significant recognition will create awareness in many more markets which are hard to reach for an essentially artisan enterprise with very limited marketing resources.”

The entrepreneur is up against artisan competitors such as Cheeses of Wisconsin from the US; Opito Bay Salt, New Zealand; and SugarBean Candy from the Bahamas.

Irish Black Butter will also be featured at the St Patrick’s Festival of culture, cuisine, and music in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrating 30 years of the Sister City relationship between Belfast and Nashville.

Other local companies at the event are Boatyard Distillery, Fermanagh, McConnell’s Whiskey, Belfast, and NearyNog’s Chocolate Makers from Rostrevor.