Irish food and drink producers take 95 medals at Great Taste Awards
Twenty gold medals went to Irish companies submitting cured meats, ice-cream, jams, chutneys, coffees, chocolates and smoked fish. Thirty silver and 45 bronze medals were also awarded for products ranging from teas and marmalades to bacon and terrines.
Speciality food shoppers in Ireland and Britain spend an estimated €6.1 billion on speciality food. The market is forecast to grow and broaden to reach €7.5 billion over the next three years. Some 86% of consumers who purchase premium value food cite taste as their overriding influence in making their choices.
Colette Shannon, trade marketing specialist with Bord Bia in London, said Ireland has long since deserved its reputation as “The Food Island”, with producers creating a diverse range of food and drink.
“Their commitment to using the best possible ingredients coupled with an energy and passion for what they do, has once again been acknowledged in this year’s Great Taste Awards,” she said.
Organised by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers, the 2004 Awards attracted 4,118 entries from all around the world.
Ireland came second after Britain in the number of gold medals won.
The entries were judged by more than 150 experts during an intensive week of judging at Olympia’s Pillar Hall.
All of the Irish medal recipients will go forward for selection as the overall Irish winner, which will be announced at the Fine Food Fair in London which takes place on September 5 to 7.
