Northern Ireland Food & Drink Awards 2026

Crawford’s Rock Dillisk Sprinkles
Based on the Mourne coast in Kilkeel, Crawford’s Rock  hand‑harvests Irish dulse using traditional, sustainable methods that protect both the shoreline and the nutrients within the seaweed. Their award‑winning Dilisk Sprinkles showcase the natural umami and slightly smoky “bacon‑of‑the‑sea” flavour of this native ingredient, offering a salt‑free way to enhance eggs, potatoes, salads and soups. Naturally rich in iodine, potassium and iron, the single‑ingredient, plant‑based seasoning gives consumers an easy way to add depth and nutrition to everyday meals. Rooted in heritage and full of coastal character, it brings an authentic taste of Ireland to the modern kitchen.

Big Pot Co Nourish Pot Bone Broth Vegetable Soup
Big Pot Co’s Nourish Pot Bone Broth Vegetable Soup is a comforting, high‑protein chilled soup made using locally sourced, grass‑fed beef bones simmered for 24 hours to release natural collagen and deep, rich flavour. Blended with fresh vegetables, it delivers a wholesome, satisfying balance of taste and functional nutrition. The product offers consumers a modern, convenient way to enjoy the recognised benefits of bone broth without the time or effort of making it at home — bringing real food, real nourishment and real comfort together in a simple, ready‑to‑heat format.

Simply Fruit Sparkling Pink Lady Apple Juice
Simply Fruit’s Sparkling Pink Lady Apple Juice showcases genuine innovation in upcycling and premium juice production. By extracting high‑quality juice from Pink Lady apples generated during fresh fruit preparation, the company transforms an unavoidable waste stream into a vibrant, clean‑label beverage. Naturally sweet, refreshing and made from a globally recognised premium apple variety, the result is a sparkling juice with standout flavour and strong consumer appeal. This clever approach delivers both sustainability and product quality, offering retailers a great‑tasting, premium soft drink with a compelling environmental story at its core.

Deli Lites Aer Lingus Salt ’n’ Chilli Chicken Goujon Wrap
Deli Lites’ Salt ’n’ Chilli Chicken Goujon Wrap blends consumer insight with flavour trends to create a standout all‑day food‑to‑go option. Built around one of Ireland’s most popular flavour profiles, it offers bold, indulgent taste with a comforting “taste of home” for Aer Lingus passengers, while still appealing to international travellers. Developed through market research and competitor analysis, the wrap fills a clear gap for a premium, high‑quality, travel‑friendly option. Its success demonstrates how data‑led flavour innovation and strong culinary execution can translate seamlessly from retail into foodservice and onboard dining.

Wilson’s Country Gluten Free Crunchy Crumb Potato Croquettes
Wilson’s Country developed its Gluten Free Crunchy Crumb Potato Croquettes in partnership with a leading hotel group to solve a major challenge in banqueting: producing fresh, consistent croquettes at scale. Handmade versions are labour‑intensive and difficult to standardise, while frozen options often fail to meet premium quality expectations. These fresh, gluten‑free croquettes deliver reliable taste, texture and portion uniformity, giving chefs a high‑quality, allergen‑safe product that performs under pressure. The result is a convenient, time‑saving solution that helps foodservice operators maintain consistency, improve efficiency and elevate the overall dining experience.

Gilfresh Produce – The Warty Goblin Pumpkin
Gilfresh Produce’s Warty Goblin Pumpkin brought a bold new twist to the Halloween season as an exclusive Irish‑grown variety for Marks & Spencer in the Republic of Ireland. Launched in October 2025, the pumpkin was developed to add personality and differentiation within a traditionally uniform category. Its striking appearance, full edibility and strong provenance resonated with shoppers seeking novelty, sustainability and locally sourced produce. The Warty Goblin delivered real impact on shelf and strengthened Gilfresh’s reputation for innovative horticulture, proving how thoughtful variety selection can drive seasonal excitement and retailer differentiation.

Samuel Turner, Finnebrogue
Samuel Turner has quickly established himself as a leading sustainability voice within Finnebrogue and the wider NI food sector. After completing a Master’s in Sustainable Development, he spent a year on the production floor as a cheesemaker, gaining hands‑on experience of where sustainability and manufacturing truly intersect. As Sustainability Executive, he is driving Finnebrogue’s ambitious goals — carbon neutrality by 2030 and Net Zero by 2040 — through improved processes, sustainable NPD tools, emissions reductions and funding for energy transformation. A skilled communicator and collaborator, Sam inspires colleagues and embeds sustainability into daily decision‑making, marking him as a genuine rising star.

W G Buchanan & Son Ltd – Design and installation of an airtight, fully segregated facility for non-nut products.
In June 2025, W G Buchanan & Son introduced a major food safety innovation by installing an airtight physical wall within its nut warehouse, creating a fully segregated storage area for non‑nut products. This engineering‑led solution eliminates airborne allergen transfer, a critical risk identified through detailed hazard assessment, and goes far beyond traditional procedural controls. The design ensures controlled airflow, rigorous segregation and stronger compliance with regulatory and retailer standards. By integrating allergen prevention into its infrastructure, the business has enhanced consumer protection while supporting operational flexibility and future growth.

Wilson’s Country Circular Renewable Energy Transformation

Wilson’s Country has delivered a transformative circular‑energy model by converting potato peelings from its processing line into renewable electricity through a £3 million on‑site anaerobic digestion system. This investment has reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by around 80% and created long‑term energy resilience for the business. The project demonstrates how an SME food processor can lead in practical, measurable climate action, cutting carbon, stabilising energy costs and strengthening supply chain sustainability. It is a standout example of environmental leadership rooted in everyday operations.

McColgan’s –  Operational transformation through its “Journey to World Class” initiative
Through its “Journey to World Class” initiative, McColgan’s achieved a step‑change in operational excellence between 2024 and 2025. Working with SA Partners, the company shifted from a reactive model to a data‑driven Enterprise Excellence approach, powered by IoT sensors, AI‑enabled cameras and digital Gemba Walks. The results were significant: a 14.1% uplift in OEE, a 13% increase in sales revenue, reduced waste and improved employee engagement. With QR‑code video SOPs strengthening training and transparency, McColgan’s has established itself as a forward‑thinking, efficient and resilient manufacturer.

Dale Farm Co-operative Ltd – Future Strong Farm Sustainability Programme
Dale Farm’s Future Strong programme supports over 1,300 milk suppliers in tackling environmental challenges, from greenhouse gas emissions to water quality and regenerative farming. With 97% participation, the programme drives meaningful, scalable change across Northern Ireland’s dairy sector. By focusing on initiatives that improve both sustainability and farm profitability, Future Strong helps farmers adopt better nutrient management, animal performance measures and long‑term soil health practices. The result is a more resilient, lower‑carbon milk pool that strengthens supply chain assurance for retailers and delivers measurable environmental improvement.

Fibre UP – Sparkling Fruit Juices
Fibre UP’s Sparkling Fruit Juices directly address two key public‑health challenges: low fibre intake and high sugar consumption. The range proves that it is possible to significantly reduce sugar and calories while adding functional fibre, all without compromising taste, appearance or consumer acceptance. Designed to support healthier everyday choices, the drinks offer a refreshing, approachable way to boost dietary fibre, appealing to families and health‑conscious shoppers alike. Fibre UP demonstrates how thoughtful formulation can deliver both flavour and function, contributing to better long‑term nutritional outcomes.