NI Food to Go Association announces inaugural Awards to enhance local industry

New awards launched by the Northern Ireland Food to Go Association will celebrate and help grow the local businesses that make up the vibrant take-away and food-to-go sector in Northern Ireland.

The inaugural NI Food to Go Awards launched this week (Tuesday, 30 April) at Belfast’s Malmaison Hotel. NI Food to Go Association Founder Michael Henderson announced the awards, which will take place in November.

“The Food to Go Awards are the official awards from the Northern Ireland Food to Go Association, which will be a benchmark of excellence to celebrate and highlight the businesses which create the food-to-go industry here. We also see it as a great opportunity for businesses within the sector to grow and learn and continue to evolve their professionalism and standards”, says Mr Henderson.

The NI Food to Go Association, which recently rebranded from its former NI Takeaway Association moniker to be more representative of the ever-evolving industry, provides an expert voice, advice, and advocacy under its “unite, support, grow” ethos while upholding industry standards for businesses working in the sector across Northern Ireland.

He continued, “Over the past five years, we have grown our membership base to represent every taste of our local food-to-go scene, from Asian cuisine to artisanal sandwich establishments, coffee emporiums and Mexican food trucks, and we want to celebrate their innovation and contribution to the economy here in Northern Ireland”.

Speaking at the event, Junior Minister Pam Cameron highlighted the positive contribution the sector makes to the local economy. Junior Minister Cameron said: “The food-to-go industry is playing a vital role in our economy. With more than 400 businesses spread across the region, the sector also impacts positively on such a wide and diverse range of rural and urban communities. The food-to-go industry stands as a valuable and valued service in local communities, and you should all be very proud that you boast such an extensive footprint across Northern Ireland.”

The professional judging panel will be headed up by food writer and restaurant reviewer Joris Minne. It will help entrants strive for higher standards of professionalism, with judges not only judging food quality but also hygiene, sustainability, customer service, and community engagement.

Michael continued, “The awards are going to be judged by a respected independent panel. They will mark our entrants not just on the food they are producing, but their training opportunities, sustainability measures, and food safety standards. It will be an exercise in growth and achievements.”

Northern Ireland’s takeaway and food to go sector represents a contribution of millions of pounds into the local economy, providing tens of thousands full and part time jobs, but there is still more to be done to make these stats more accessible.

Mr Henderson added, “Challenges from the pandemic lockdowns saw a diverse response from hospitality businesses with many establishments pivoting to provide a food-to-go offering, and many continue to operate that side of their businesses. We know that anecdotally from our own membership base and working with the sector day in and day out, but we will continue to work with the NI Assembly and NISRA to allow accountability and real figures that give us a better understanding of the sector here in Northern Ireland, which is a clear aim of our association for the coming months.”

The Awards will be supported by one of Ireland’s leading suppliers to the hospitality industry, Henderson Foodservice.

Kiera Campbell, Chairperson of the NI Food to Go Association and Sales Director at Henderson Foodservice, added, “We have witnessed incredible resilience and growth from this sector, which continues to push the boundaries to bring new and exciting food-to-go concepts to market here in Northern Ireland.

“The Food to Go Awards are an opportunity for us to truly celebrate that innovation and showcase those businesses that have been going the extra mile for their customers, showing longevity in the face of challenges and diversity, and providing a well-known and beloved takeaway for families and communities across the country. We are really looking forward to being a part of the celebrations.”

Entries for the Food to Go Awards are now open. The gala ceremony, hosted by Q Radio presenter Ibe Sesay, will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

For more information, categories and entry deadlines, visit foodtogoawards.co.uk.

NI Food to Go Categories:

· Newcomer of the Year

· Best Dessert / Pastry Food to Go

· Best Asian-Pan Asian Food to Go

· Best Indian Food to Go

· Best Fish & Chips Food to Go

· Best Kebab Food to Go

· Best Pizza Food to Go

· Best Mexican Food to Go

· Best Burger Food to Go

· Best Coffee to Go