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Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

Retail News editor, John Walshe, presents the Frozen Foods Savoury Award to Musgrave Wholesale Partners’ Aisling O’Keefe, Trading Manager, and Sheena Forde, Commercial Director, for Musgrave Seasoned Potato Wedges. Also pictured are Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards (left) and event MC, Neven Maguire (right).

A Glittering Gala of Great Food The inaugural Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2013 proved a magical night and a ringing endorsement of the superb quality of Irish produce.

THE first ever Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2013 proved a massive success, as no fewer than 36 products from right across the island of Ireland were awarded the title of IQFA winners.

An impressive 250 guests, entrants, judges and spectators came together at a black-tie dinner to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s best food and drink producers at a spectacular ceremony in the Round Room, within Dublin’s grand Mansion House.

Tough Judging Process Organiser Helen Lyons explained how the seed of the idea for the Irish Quality Food Awards was first planted five years ago. “I can’t tell

you how proud I am, and how much it means to me personally to be finally standing here before you to share in such a successful first year for the awards,” she said.

Lyons revealed that entrants in the UK have described the Quality Food Awards as “the most difficult accolades to win in the sector”. This, she explained is “something that I am actually very proud about as it highlights just how thorough the process is and it underlines the true value of winning such a prestigious award.”

Lyons went on to detail the judging process, which took place over two weeks during the summer at DIT’s School of Culinary

Pictured at the presentation of the Overall Gold Q Award for Aldi’s Duneen Specially Selected Handmade Farmhouse Raspberry Yogurt are (l-r): Bruce Langlands, Director of Foods at Harrods; Pauline Dunne, Killowen Yogurts; James Denney, Aldi Stores Ireland; Neven Maguire, event MC; and Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards.

Arts. Judges, she said, “were looking for products with excellence in flavour, taste, presentation, packaging and aroma. They also sought to recognise and reward products that represent genuine value for money and those that met a real consumer demand.

They emerged with their palates and waistlines intact, having selected the deserving winners.”

She paid tribute to headline sponsor, The Benson Group, as well as the judges, who gave up their time to ensure that every entry received the consideration it deserved.

Unique Collaboration The awards themselves were presented by leading Irish chef, Neven Maguire, who congratulated the winners on their contribution to the Irish food and drink industry. The IQFAs represent a unique collaboration between Food and Hospitality Ireland (formerly SHOP) and the UK Quality Food and Drink Awards, which have been rewarding excellence in food and drink flavours, tex-

tures and aromas for more than 35 years.

Following on from the success of the highly respected UK awards, its Irish partner is also renowned among multiple grocery sectors and food producers for its trustworthy and rigorous judging process to provide truly honest winners.

Paying tribute to the quality of Irish food products, Maguire highlighted, through a series of interesting anecdotes from some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, how highly Irish food and drink products are regarded around the world, and congratulated all the nominees for being part of that quality. He encouraged everyone in the Irish food and drinks industry to maintain the standards that have made Irish food so popular and to keep developing exceptional products.

The Big Winners Among the winners, Aldi came up trumps with a staggering 10 awards, including the prestigious Overall Gold for its Handmade Farmhouse Raspberry Yoghurt, followed by SuperValu

Dunnes Stores won the award for Ready Meals Accompaniments for their Sage & Onion Stuffing. Pictured are (l-r): Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards; Aoife Cox, Editor, The Daily Spud; Catherine Heaney, Sales & Marketing, Mr. Crumb; Diarmuid Murphy, Product Development and Quality Manager at Dunnes Stores; and event MC, Neven Maguire.

Barry Geraghty from Lidl Ireland (centre) and supplier John O’Brien (second right) accept the award for Sausages & Burgers for Lidl Deluxe Sausages from Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards; Tim Graham, Sales Manager, Food and Hospitality Ireland; and event MC, Neven Maguire.

Tesco Ireland took the Fresh Meat, Game and Poultry: Beef Steaks category with their Tesco Finest Angus Beef. Pictured are (l-r): Agnes Bouchier Hayes, Judge; Aisling Herbert, NPD Manager, Tesco Ireland; Donna Harris, Marketing & Category Development Analyst, Hilton Foods Ireland; Michael Donohue, Meat Buyer, Tesco Ireland; with Neven Maguire, event MC; and Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards.

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Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

ALDI SCOOP SUPREME AWARD

Winners in the Poultry category were Silver Hill Foods for their Confit of Duck. Pictured are (l-r): Agnes Bouchier Hayes, Judge; Maeve McFadden, General Manager, Silver Hill Foods; Stuart Steele, Managing Director, Silver Hill Foods; event MC Neven Maguire; and Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards.

ALDI lifted no fewer than 10 awards at the inaugural Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, including the prestigious Overall Gold Q, which is awarded to one product that stands out above all the other entries, Aldi’s Duneen Specially Selected Handmade Farmhouse Raspberry Yogurt. This product absolutely wowed the judges and it was clear it had the credentials to achieve the Gold Award standard. One judge really liked the “really great” combination of raspberry compote and the sweetness of the yoghurt, while another noted the “superb fruit content, balance and flavour”.

While it scored highly in terms of taste, the panel also praised the packaging design which the judges felt added to its immense shopper appeal.

SUPERVALU CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Winner of the Liqueurs and Speciality Spirits Award, was The Dubliner Irish whiskey liqueur from First Ireland Spirits.

Pictured are (l-r): Kevin Crook, Managing Director, Metropolis Business Media; Jackie Keating and Patricia Lynch from First Ireland Spirits, event MC, Neven Maguire; Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards; and Eamon Fennell, First Ireland Spirits & Dalcassian Wines & Spirits.

Winner of the Gold Q Christmas Award, SuperValu Signature Tastes Christmas Pudding (previously known as SuperValu Supreme) proved a real hit with the judges, who felt it stood out from the competition.

A luxury Christmas pudding containing succulent vine fruits, cherries and almonds infused with brandy and matured for six months, the judges praised its aroma and appearance as they tucked in. One commented that it “smells good and looks like a supreme product”, while another commented on its “perfect balance of flavours”.

A SPECIAL NIGHT FOR FIRST IRELAND

SuperValu Christmas Pudding took the Gold Q Christmas Award. Pictured are (l-r): Bruce Langlands, Director of Food, Harrods; Noreen Ingamells, Product Developer, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Brian Seery, Sales Director, Seerys Bakery; event MC, Neven Maguire, and Helen Lyons, Organiser, Irish Quality Food Awards.

WINNER of the Liqueurs and Speciality Spirits Award, The Dubliner, from First Ireland Spirits, is a distinctive Irish whiskey liqueur and a truly delicious marriage of flavours. A heavenly blend of honeycomb, caramel and whiskey combine to create the product’s unique eclectic taste.

“We are delighted to have won an Irish Quality Drink Award for The Dubliner,” says Trish Lynch, Marketing Manager, First Ireland Spirits. “It is further testament to the superb taste and exceptional quality of The Dubliner. We have recently launched The Dubliner here in Ireland, so to receive national recognition with an award that consumers trust in is not only timely but also an important endorsement for us!”

First Ireland Spirits are one of Ireland’s fastest growing indigenous drinks manufacturers. With sales in almost 50 countries and exports of over €20m or 7m bottles, growing at 7% per annum, the company is a real success story for Irish exports! The Dubliner is now sold over 12 countries worldwide. It has just been launched here in Ireland with both Dunnes Stores & SuperValu and into the on-trade with Dalcassian Wines & Spirits. Planned launches for 2014 include the USA, China, France, & the UK.

with a splendid six and Lidl Ireland with an impressive five. Other winners included Blue Haven Food Co., Butlers Chocolate, Dee’s Wholefoods and Mr. Crumb in the food category and First Ireland Spirits, Armagh Cider Company and Whitewater Brewing Company in the drinks sector.

Aldi’s Handmade Farmhouse Raspberry Yoghurt received The Overall Gold Q Award, which is a specialist prize awarded to the one product that stands out among all the other entries and represents the very best of the best.

To ensure complete equality within the judging process, the IQFA’s kitchen team of home economists from Dublin’s Institute of Technology prepared all the products as per the supplied manufacturers’ instructions before presenting to the judging panel. Working through each delicious category across two weeks, one session at a

time, a judging team of over 70 respected food journalists, chefs, producers, retailers, NPD specialists, cooks and bloggers from across Ireland tasted over 350 products.

Massive Success Describing the Awards as “a success for all involved,” Helen Lyons noted how.

“The whole process has been fantastic and I’m so proud of our team and the contestants. It’s great to have been given the opportunity to truly congratulate those in the food and drink industry that make a difference in our everyday lives and ‘compliment the chef’ so to speak!”

She congratulated all the winners and commiserated with those who didn’t quite make it: “We received an outstanding amount of high-quality entrants, so it certainly wasn’t an easy process.”

“It has been a true privilege and honour to meet so many Irish retailers and food

Members of the Retail News team are pictured arriving for the inaugural Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.

LINDEN FOODS SHARE SUCCESS WITH LIDL

producers in this first year of our awards,” she explained, “and I am very much looking forward to continuing working with you all for the 2014 Irish Quality Food Awards.”

All excess food from the judging was given to The Capuchin Centre for Homeless People, which provides warm food and more than 1500 food hampers a week to vulnerable

people in Dublin.

To find out more about all winners from the very first Irish Quality Food Awards, visit: http://www.irishqualityfoodawards.com/irishqualityfoodawards2013/winners-2013, become a friend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IrishQualityFoodAwards or follow them on Twitter,@IrishQFAs.

THE RIGHT STUFF FROM MR CRUMB MR CRUMB, in partnership with Dunnes Stores, picked up another award at the IQFA awards ceremony, this time for Sage & Onion Stuffing, which won in the Ready Meals Accompaniments category. This is another accolade for Mr Crumb, who have previously won over 30 major food awards. Mr Crumb, based in Mullingar, produces breadcrumbs, stuffing, herb crust toppings, food-to-go, shaped and flavoured butters etc.

IRISH QUALITY FOOD AWARDS Bread Cakes and Morning Goods Cereals and Cereal Bars Cheese Chocolate and Confectionery Christmas Ambient Grocery Christmas Cakes, Bakery and Desserts Coffee, Tea and Other Hot Beverages Cold Beverages Dairy and Milk Products Delicatessen Desserts and Puddings Fish (fresh and frozen, unprepared and prepared) Fish (fish dishes) Fresh Meat, Game and Poultry: Bacon Fresh Meat, Game and Poultry: Beef Steaks Chicken & Poultry Fresh Meat & Game Fresh Produce (Irish & Imported) Frozen Foods (sweet) Frozen Foods Savoury Grocery Ambient Savoury Grocery Ambient Sweet Meat Free Pies and Pasties Pizzas Ready Meals Ready Meal Accompaniments Ready to Cook Sauces and Salad Dressings Sausages, Burgers and Meatballs

Tesco Ireland SuperValu Aldi Stores Ireland Aldi Stores Ireland Butlers Chocolates The Scullery SuperValu Aldi Stores Ireland Armagh Cider Co. Aldi Stores Ireland O’Brien’s Fine Foods SuperValu Marine Harvest Blue Haven Food Co. Lidl Ireland Tesco Ireland Silver Hill Foods Aldi Stores Ireland SuperValu Broderick's Musgrave Second Nature Oils Aldi Stores Ireland Dee’s Wholefoods Aldi Stores Ireland O'Keeffes Bakery Aldi Stores Ireland Dunnes Stores Lidl Ireland SuperValu Lidl Ireland

IRISH QUALITY DRINK AWARDS

Pictured in Lidl’s new Omagh store celebrating their success at the recent Irish Quality Food Awards are Rita O’Kane, New Product Development Manager, Linden Foods, and Lucia Christy, Project Manager, Lidl Northern Ireland. Linden won in the Ready to Cook category for its Italian Meatballs with Arrabiata Sauce, part of Lidl’s Heat Eat and Enjoy range.

Ales Cider Lager Liqueurs and Speciality Spirits Whiskies

Aldi Stores Ireland Armagh Cider Company Whitewater Brewing Company First Ireland Spirits Lidl Ireland

OVERALL GOLD Q AWARDS Overall Gold Q Gold Q Christmas Gold Q Drink

Aldi Stores Ireland SuperValu Lidl Ireland