Recipe For Success At 2026 NI Food and Drink Awards

NIFDA’s most competitive awards to date celebrated the innovation, quality and drive from food and drink manufacturers across Northern Ireland, alongside 500 guests at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, presented by BBC’s Mark Simpson.

Hosted by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and supported by principal partner, Kinecx Energy, the biennial awards are a landmark night for the local industry, with Ministers, lawmakers, retailers, manufacturers and producers in attendance.

Now in its 18th year, the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence within the industry. The awards provide local companies with a valuable platform to showcase innovation, quality and ingenuity to key buyers and decision makers, with major retailers Asda, Lidl NI, Marks and Spencer, and Tesco represented on the expert judging panel.

This year’s full list of winners includes:

• Best New Product – Micro Company, Sponsored by Kinecx Energy: Crawford’s Rock Dillisk Sprinkles / Seaweed Flakes with Roasted Garlic
• Best New Product – Small Company, Sponsored by Kinecx Energy: Big Pot Co Nourish Pot Bone Broth Vegetable Soup
• Best New Product – Medium Company, Sponsored by Kinecx Energy: Simply Fruit Sparkling Pink Lady Apple Juice
• Best New Product – Large Company, Sponsored by Kinecx Energy: Deli Lites Ireland Aer Lingus Salt ‘n’ Chilli Chicken Goujon Wrap
• Best New Product – Service Sector, Sponsored by NIFDA: Wilson’s Country Gluten Free Crunchy Crumb Potato Croquettes
• Best New Product Launch Outside Northern Ireland, Sponsored by Invest NI: Gilfresh Produce The Warty Goblin Pumpkin
• Most Sustainable Supply Chain Award, Sponsored by DAERA: Dale Farm
• Sustainability Energy Leadership Award, Sponsored by Ortus Energy: Wilson’s Country
• Healthier Product Innovation Award, Sponsored by the FSA: Fibre Up Sparkling Fruit Juices
• Food Safety Innovation Award, Sponsored by Safefood: W G Buchanan & Sons
• Advanced Food & Drink Manufacturing Award, Sponsored by Birnie Consultancy: McColgan’s
• Rising Star Award, Sponsored by Vickerstock: Samuel Turner, Finnebrogue
• Outstanding Contribution Award, Sponsored by NIFDA: Ross Reed, Founder and Chair of Interfrigo

Congratulating the winners on the night, Michael Bell OBE, Executive Director at NIFDA, said:  

“Northern Ireland continues to punch above its weight on the global scale when it comes to food and drink. Our industry supports more than 113,000 jobs across the supply chain and generates close to £5bn in added value annually. It’s not only a significant contribution to the local economy and to communities right across the region, but it’s also a source of immense pride, showcasing the quality, innovation and resilience that defines our sector.

“The awards exist to recognise the impact of our eating eco-system and the people behind it. As NIFDA marks 30 years representing this industry, it is fitting that the 2026 awards have been our largest and most competitive to date. The calibre of entries reflects a sector that is cutting edge, ambitious and continually investing in its people, products and processes.

“The judging process was exceptionally difficult this year, but it proved exactly why Northern Ireland is recognised internationally for excellence in food and drink. Thank you to every business that entered and to those who joined us for a record-breaking night of celebration.”

Niall Martindale, Chief Executive Officer at Kinecx Energy, principal partner for the event, added:

“The food and drink industry remains a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s economy, and it was a privilege to partner with NIFDA once again for the awards during the 30th anniversary year.

“We are proud to be involved with a sector driven by exceptional people and an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability. Through the Kinecx Energy network, we have supported the energy requirements of many food and drink businesses since 2005, and we continue to play an important role in the transition to a lower carbon future.

“Our focus on growing Northern Ireland’s circular economy, particularly through the integration of biomethane into our network, aligns closely with the ambitions of every organisation operating within this sector. We look forward to continuing our support for its growth and sustainability in the years to come.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s award finalist and winners.”