Aldi strikes gold as it scoops 10 Irish food and drink awards

Discount retailer Aldi struck gold at the Irish Quality and Drink Awards as well as bagging 10 awards.

SuperValu won six awards, followed by Lidl with five.

The awards recognise and reward excellence, quality and innovation in Irish food and drinks products.

A judging team of more than 70 journalists, chefs, producers, retailers and new product development specialists, cooks, and bloggers tasted over 350 products.

Aldi won the overall gold award for its Duneen Specially Selected Handmade Farmhouse Raspberry Yoghurt supplied by Killowen Farm in Wexford.

Gold is awarded to the one product that stands out among all the other entries and represents the very best of the best.

Aldi also won awards and earned commendations for a broad range of products. Over 50% of Aldi’s supplier spend is with Irish suppliers, producers and manufacturers.

The supermarket’s group buying director, Niall O’Connor, said it was incredibly proud that Aldi’s Irish own-brand range had tasted national success at the inaugural awards.

“These new accolades are a fantastic endorsement of the excellence and consistently high standards of the Irish suppliers and producers we work closely with,” he said.

Mr O’Connor said Killowen Farm had supplied yoghurts to Aldi for two years and the award was a testament to the fantastic quality products supplied by them.

SuperValu received a Gold Q for its Supreme Christmas Pudding supplied by Seerys, Tinryland, Co Carlow. It was one of six awards given to the SuperValu Irish Own Brand product range.

The supermarket chain, part of the Musgrave Group, also won awards for cakes, desserts and puddings, fresh produce, both Irish and imported, sauces, and salad dressings. It was also highly commended for pies and pasties and pizzas.

SuperValu managing director Martin Kelleher said the gold award for their Supreme Christmas Pudding was a testament to their select sourcing from the best of Irish suppliers.

He said Seerys had been making puddings for 20 years with recipes developed over generations.

“With 75% of everything on our shelves supplied, produced or sourced from Irish suppliers, we are the number one supporter of the Irish food industry, sourcing more Irish goods than any other retailer in Ireland,” he said.

Lidl won a Gold Q for its Dundalgan Irish Whiskey, produced by Terra Ltd. in Cavan. It also won awards for its ready-to-cook meals, streaky bacon, sausages, burgers, and meatballs.

“Since 2009, we have trebled our annual spend on Irish products, which now account for 40% of grocery sales and this growth is set to continue,” said Caitriona McCarry from Lidl. Lidl also earned a number of commendations for a broad range of products.