Irish food and drink producers take 95 medals at Great Taste Awards

A TOTAL of 32 artisan Irish food and drink producers won a total of 95 medals at this year’s Great Taste Awards in London.

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.