Big wins for local food businesses
SUCCESS was dished out to a group of Wexford producers who took home awards at this year’s Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2016. Wexford wins were seen in all sectors, particularly the Christmas categories.
Killowen Farm won the award in the Christmas Q- Chilled Sweet category for their Seasonally Spiced Cranberry and Orange Yoghurt produced for Dunnes Stores, and were also commended for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Farmhouse Irish Whiskey Cream in the same category. Meanwhile, Zanna Cookhouse was commended in the Christmas Q – Chilled Savoury Section for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade Irish Brie, Rocket and Cranberry Quiche.
In the Christmas Q – Grocery Ambient category, Wexford Home Preserves were highly commended for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade Cranberry Sauce. The company also got highly commended in the Free From – Sweet Category for their No Added Sugar Irish Raspberry Jam and commended for their Irish Blackcurrant Jam in the same category. The awards continued for the company in the Sweets, Spreads and Sauces category, in which they were highly commended for their Dunnes Stores branded Simply Better Handmade Passion Fruit and Mango Coulis.
Naturally Cordial flew the flag for Wexford in the Cold Beverages – Soft Drinks Category, in which they were placed first for their Strawberry, Cucumber and Lime cordial. They were also highly commended for their Irish Wexford Blackcurrant Cordial which is produced for Dunnes Stores.
Killowen Farm came out on top in the yoghurt category, coming first for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade Lemon Curd Farmhouse Yogurt and highly commended for the SuperValu Signature Tastes Rhubarb Yogurt.
The Kilmore Quay Haddock Goujons won Atlantis a highly commended award in the Fresh Fish Section. Meanwhile, New Ross company Ballyhack Smokehouse won in the Fish – Smoked category for their Smoked Irish Wild Salmon.
There was another win for Zanna Cookhouse in the Quiche, Pies and Pasties section, in which they came first for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade West Cork Gubbeen Chorizo and Irish Potato Quiche and highly commended Dunnes Stores Simply Better Handmade Irish Goat’s Cheese and Caramelised Red Onion Quiche.
The results of the fourth Irish Quality Food and Drinks Awards were revealed at a ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House recently. Organised by Metropolis Business Media, group publisher Helen Lyons commented:
‘ The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have become a major part of the Irish food calendar. Once again we received a huge number of entries, and spent four weeks testing and judging the most delicious products. We had another wonderful night celebrating the success of our winners - huge congratulations to everyone.’