The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards are once more open for entries, with a full awards programme including categories for products, people, and performance

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards Shining a light on quality

The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2021 are now open for entries across a broad range of categories covering the key drivers in the market.

THE Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards are once more open for entries, with a full awards programme including categories for products, people, and performance. Since their launch nine years ago, the Awards have been responsible for launching hundreds of innovative new products onto the market and boosting the sales of many more. Retailers, wholesalers, foodservice, own label, and branded producers are invited to enter food and drink products into a broad range of categories, each being specifically tailored to represent the key drivers in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Once again, products will be judged in their categories, and awarded on their merits against stringent criteria. The Product of the Year accolade will be awarded to the product the judges agree is the best they have seen; in previous years, this has been awarded to North Cork Creamery, Meere’s Pork Products, O’Brien Fine Foods, and James Whelan Butchers. The Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by JDS Foods in the year of their 150th anniversary, will be awarded to the best performing retailer across the categories. Also sponsoring the awards is Invest Northern Ireland, with food and drink the region’s most dynamic industry.

Comprehensive feedback report

An integral part of the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards is that each entry receives a comprehensive judges’ feedback report, even if the product does not reach the finalist stage. This provides all entrants with vital product insight from independent leading experts, which can be used as a valuable product development tool. Winners will be given free use of the winners’ logo which will be provided alongside a winner’s press kit. This guide will offer useful tips to winners on making the most of their win and maximising their return on investment. The Small Producer Award is open to companies with fewer than 10 staff and annual sales under €1m. This award offers artisan producers a host of benefits, including a reduced entry fee, whilst still having the opportunity to be judged alongside larger companies.

Acknowledging the leaders in their field

“Following on from a challenging year for the food and drink industry, the IQFDA are delighted to be returning to shine a light on those retailers, producers and suppliers who have excelled in their field,” noted IQFDA Director, Beckie Dart. “We look forward to seeing wonderful products and once again acknowledging those fantastic producers and retailers who have continued to provide for the people of Ireland.” For more information about how to enter the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, please visit irishqualityfoodawards.ie. or contact Emma Parslow, Senior Event Manager. Tel: +353 (0)1 8176363. Email: emma. parslow@emap.com.