Retail News|October 2015|www.retailnews.ie|23
Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards These prestigious accolades, now in their third year, set out to recognise excellence in food and drink product development from a wide variety of companies across Ireland. The awards were open to all food and drink retailers, producers and manufacturers across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and saw over 350 food and drink products shortlisted in 85 categories. The awards themselves are organised into two distinct sections: Quality Food Awards, products for the multiple and independent grocery retail market, and Quality Drink Awards, alcoholic drinks for the retail sector. “This has been the most exciting year for all of us here at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards,” noted Lara Newton, Group Events Manager at event organisers, Metropolis Business Media. “We have been absolutely amazed at the incredibly high standard of both the food and
John Walshe, Retail News Editor, and Derry Clarke, present the award for Soups to Rachel Doggett, Promotions and Events Manager, Tesco, and Liliana Caruto, Chilled Convenience Buying Manager, Tesco, for Tesco Finest Vine Ripened Tomato and Lentil Soup from Bakkavor.
Pictured at the presentation of the Gold Value Q for Dunnes Stores My Family Favourites 4 Irish Beef Quarter Pounders (Kepak), are (l-r): Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods & Restaurants, Harrods; Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager, Dunnes Stores; Heather Kingston, NPD Manager, Dunnes Stores; Joanne Kett, Frozen Buyer, Dunnes Stores; James Wilson, Grocery Director, Dunnes Stores; and Derry Clarke.
The Gold Christmas Q went to Dunnes Stores Simply Better Stuffed Fresh Irish Turkey Breast Joint (Hogan’s Farm). Pictured are (l-r): Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods & Restaurants, Harrods; Daniel Hill; Susan O’Shaughnessy, Simply Better Product Development Manager, Dunnes Stores; Niamh Craughan; Paul Burke; Paul Hogan; Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better Brand Manager, Dunnes Stores; and Derry Clarke.
Cereal Thriller from Gourmet Irish Granola MARIA Betts has been celebrating after winning Best Cereal in Ireland for her Maria Lucia Bakes Cranberry, Coconut and Chia Seed granola at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards. “Winning such a prestigious award in the highly competitive cereal category against so many well established brands has given our small business a major boost of confidence,” said Maria. “This award will give both retailers and consumers alike the motivation to give our granola a try and I feel it will really help to grow our business.” See www.marialuciabakes.com for more information. Donal O’Shea, Sales Director at Nature’s Best and IGBF Chairman, addresses the audience at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards.
Tom Fehily and Susan Robbins Fehily from Wildberry Bakery are presented with the Tesco Small Producer Award by Malachy O’Connor, Fresh Food Director, Tesco Ireland (left) and Derry Clarke.