Award Winning Food and Drink in Ards and North Down
Ards and North Down is at the heart of this strengthening culinary culture with leading agri-food companies exporting worldwide, and home to an abundance of thriving food and drink producers whose creativity is celebrated and internationally recognised with a plethora of awards.
The success of our local producers is reflected in the numerous prestigious accolades including many Great Taste Awards and Blas na hÉireann award wins.
Taste AND Food Heroes Awards 2022 and 2023
Let's flash back to the Local Food and Drinks Producers Recognised at TASTE AND Food Heroes Awards held in 2022 you can Watch the video here. In 2023 the awards were held in Clandeboye Estate Read more about the awards here.
Taste AND Food Heroes Awards 2024
Ards and North Down has a strengthening culinary culture with leading agri-food companies exporting worldwide, award-winning eateries, leading food and drink producers supplying tier 1 fast moving consumable goods (FMCG) retailers and exporting world-wide, as well as new innovative companies starting up every month.
The creativity and innovation of local producers is celebrated and internationally recognised with a plethora of prestigious accolades including numerous Great Taste Awards, Blas na hÉireann and the World and International Wine and Spirit competition wins.
On Wednesday 6 March 2024, local food and drinks producers, restaurants and independent food retailers were recognised at the third annual TASTE AND Local Food and Drink Hero Awards, hosted by the Council at Bangor Castle.
2023 proved to be a hugely successful year with 21 local food and drink producers claiming industry awards across a range of national and international standards. In addition, 8 restaurants claimed 14 national and international accolades. The TASTE AND Local Food and Drink Hero Awards recognised their extraordinary achievements at a prestigious ceremony that included the third presentation of the Lady Dufferin Producer of the Year Award to drink maker, Papa's Mineral Company and the inaugural presentation of the Local Food and Drink Champion Award, which was won by Lightfoot Kitchen in Bangor.
Success of the food and drink sector in Ards and North Down continues to grow year upon year.
Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2023
Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards is in its 16th year and is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Members of the Taste Ards and North Down Food and Drink Network travelled to Dingle in October, in the hopes of winning one of these coveted awards.
Congratulations to the following Ards and North Down, Award Winners and Top 5 Finalists for 2023
Awards
- Capparelli Cooks – Casarecce Pasta – Chef’s Larder Award
- Mash Direct - Beer Battered Onion Rings - Gold
- Habanero Steve’s - Mexican Slammer - Gold
- Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Cloudy Lemonade Cordial - Gold
- Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Extra Hot Belfast Ginger Ale - Gold
- Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Best Producer In County Down - Gold
- Copeland Distillery – Coffee Liqueur - Silver
- Willowbrook Foods – Lidl Red Cabbage with Bramley Apple - Bronze
Top 5 Finalists
- Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt - Mandarin & Lime Yoghurt
- Bow Bells – Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls
- Bow Bells – Chicken Balti Pie
- Morning Glory Granola – Wild at Heart Granola
- Bro Coffee Company - LÁRRÓST Roasted Coffee Blend
- Rock A Doodle Do -Banshee BBQ
- Rock A Doodle Do - Dunville Whiskey Sauce
Read more about Ards and North Down Winners at Blas na hÉireann Food Awards 2023 | Find out more about Taste Ards and North Down