The first awards to recognise achievements in the Irish food and drinks industry - Ireland, the Food Island: Food and Drink Industry Awards - were announced last night in Dublin.
Sponsored by Bord Bia, the Food and Drink Federation of IBEC and AIB, the awards were described by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr Noel Treacy, as "the first Irish food Oscars".
Some 196 applications from 120 companies entered the six categories - innovation, brand marketing, trailblazer, young food and drink entrepreneur, food safety/environmental best practice and small business. The judging panel, comprising leading business figures, was chaired by Mr Kieran McGowan, president of the Irish Management Institute and former IDA chief executive.
Speaking at the awards presentation, Bord Bia chief executive Mr Michael Duffy said the awards would set new standards of excellence by promoting best practice in the food and drinks industry. "This awards initiative provides an opportunity for the industry to recognise the commitment, the excellence and the passion of the people who work in it."
The Irish Chocolate Company received the Brand Marketing Award for the development of Butler's Chocolate Cafes. Dew Valley, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of cooked bacon, won the Trailblazer Award for its export business. Butlers Pantry was awarded the Small Business Award while Kerry Attack-a-Snack received the Innovation Award.
Glanbia won the Food Safety and Environmental Best Practice Award for reducing water consumption by 27 million gallons a year. And the Entrepreneur Award went to Freshways and its co-founder, Mr Edward Brennan.
