The development of what judges believed is a unique way of selling cooked meat won the top food award last night for the Kepak meat processing group in what participants call the Oscars of the Irish food and drink industry.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan, last night presented Kepak with the major prize for innovation in The Food Island Food and Drink Industry Awards at a charity benefit gala dinner in the Mansion House, Dublin, attended by 500 guests.
The awards, sponsored by Bord Bia, Ibec and AIB, were selected to applaud best practice in specific areas in the industry considered to be the key to its long term success.
The awards also recognised the Silver Hill poultry company's achievements with the brand marketing award for its domination of the Chinese ethnic sector within the European market for duckling where it now controls about 95 per cent of the entire market share.
Making the presentations, the Minister said the challenge was to produce a range of products which would attract international consumers and their spending power in a highly competitive environment.
"Consumer foods, functional foods and beverages, food ingredients and speciality foods each offer particular sales opportunities.
"Quality, convenience, value, enjoyment and nutrition are some of the triggers of consumer demand, as well as the need for food to be nutritious and wholesome," she said.
"The Government is committed to facilitating the vital innovation and research necessary to ensure that the food and drink industry continues to generate export earnings and strong growth on our home market," she concluded.
Mr Aidan Cotter, chief executive of Bord Bia, said the awards bear witness to the success and vitality of the Irish food and drink industry on a global level and recognise the commitment, excellence and passion of the people who work in the food and drink sector.
Rosemary Garth, director of food and drink industry Ireland at Ibec said that despite the fact the food industry was operating in an increasingly difficult environment, it continued to excel as Ireland's most important indigenous sector.
Ms Fidelma Griffin, head of food and agriculture at AIB corporate banking said the sector was a vibrant one underpinned by creativity and technological advancement, which puts Ireland to the fore on the world stage.
WINNERS
INNOVATION: Kepak -Global Cuisine
BRAND MARKETING: Silver Hill - Chinese Market
TRAILBLAZER: Lily O'Briens
ENTREPRENEUR: Jacobs Fruitfield - Michael Carey
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: C&C
SMALL BUSINESS: Cashel Blue - Grubb