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Two Newry businesses have walked away with awards at the inaugural NI Food to Go awards held in Belfast this week.
The event sponsored by Henderson Foodservice saw Spice India Curry and Kebabs take home the award for Best Indian Food to Go while VR Fire & Smokehouse brought home the highly commended award for Newcomer of the Year – Specialist.
Hosted by Q Radio DJ Ibe Sesay, the event celebrated excellence across 24 categories, celebrating the growing diversity and vibrancy of the food-to-go sector in Northern Ireland.
The pioneers behind Capers Pizza, Willie Marshal, Mike Lyle and their original partner, Christine Bambrick were awarded the prestigious outstanding contribution to the industry honour for their role as a long-standing pillar of Belfast’s food scene which closed earlier this year.
Capers, known for being Belfast’s first-ever pizzeria, opened its doors on Great Victoria Street in April 1982, at a time when dining options were limited due to the political climate and economic challenges of The Troubles. Founded by Willie, Mike, and Christine, Capers quickly became a landmark establishment, offering a new kind of dining experience to locals and visitors alike.
NI Food to Go Association CEO Michael Henderson commented: “These awards recognise and celebrate the excellence and variety of food to go establishments in Northern Ireland. This is the first year that we have held these awards, and it was incredible to see the industry come together on the night to celebrate the excellence across the ever-evolving food to go industry. I’d like to thank our independent judging panel for their time and respect towards every food to go business that entered the awards, and I’d like to send my congratulations to every finalist, highly commended and winner. We are already looking forward to next year’s awards.”
Joris Minne was joined on the judging panel by Into Media Group business editor Gary McDonald; CEO of Food NI Michele Shirlow; business editor and food columnist John Mulgrew; Reach PLC journalist Sophie McLaughlin; Chef Geoff Baird from the award’s title sponsor Henderson Foodservice; managing director from Evolve HR Solutions, Claire Loftus; manager of Ulster University’s Food and Drink Business Department, Dr Lynsey Hollywood; Emily McCorkell from Legenderry Food Group; head of sustainability at Zeus Packaging Declan Breen and Media Huis deputy editor in chief, Martin Breen.
The NI Food to Go Awards, which were established to celebrate the excellence and innovation in the region’s food-to-go businesses, are the first of their kind to be independently judged in Northern Ireland. With 23 categories in total, the awards shine a spotlight on the very best of the sector, from independent eateries to larger food chains.
Michael Henderson, CEO of the NI Food to Go Association added; “It has been a hugely successful inaugural year of the NI Food to Go Awards, and we are looking towards 2025 already. The industry is made up of so many successful businesses, and we know there are plenty more out there across Northern Ireland who have brilliant stories to tell. We will be announcing the details for the NI Food to Go Awards 2025 very soon, so watch this space!”
The NI Food to Go Awards are supported by title sponsor, Henderson Foodservice, alongside category sponsors Smartpay, Riada NI, Towergate Insurance, Flipdish, Délifrance, Stephens Catering Equipment, Evolve HR, Pro-Active Accounting, Eat Local, Frylite, Coca Cola Hellenic, BIOPAX, Zeus Packaging, Makro Belfast / Booker Wholesale UK and Stack Field Solutions UK.
NI Food to Go Awards 2024 Winners
Best Asian / Pan Asian Food To Go
Winner: Bao Bun
Highly Commended: Sinley Chinee
Best Bakery / Patisserie To Go
Winner: CeCe's Cakes and Bakes
Highly Commended: Wee Buns
Best Burger To Go
Winner: Belfast Burger
Highly Commended: 7 Towers Burgers
Best Coffee to Go
Winner: Barista Bar Cafe
Highly Commended: KAFF
Best Deli Food to Go
Winner: Fitzy’s Grill
Highly Commended: Jose’s Deli
Best Dessert To Go
Winner: Scoop and Cup
Highly Commended: Brownies on the Hill
Best Fish & Chips To Go
Winner: Chipmongers
Highly Commended: Joe’s Traditional Fish & Chips
Best Healthy Food To Go
Winner: Café Roo
Highly Commended: KAFF
Best Indian Food To Go
Winner: Spice India Curry and Kebabs
Highly Commended: Yaks Nepalese & Indian Contemporary Restaurant
Best Kebab To Go
Winner: The Shawarma
Highly Commended: Romeo’s Takeaway
Best Mexican Food To Go
Winner: Bebe Adrianos Mexicanos
Highly Commended: 3 Amigos Deli
Best Pizza To Go
Winner: Taste of New York Pizzeria
Highly Commended: Romeo’s Takeaway
Catering Truck of the Year
Winner: Fairley's Flavours
Highly Commended: Brown’s Fish and Chip’s
Food Court of the Year
Winner: CastleCourt Shopping Centre
Highly Commended: Clipper Quay Street Food Market
Newcomer of the Year
Winner: Alpaca Pizza & Eats
Highly Commended: Roly’s
Newcomer of the Year – Specialist
Winner: Taste of Philly
Highly Commended: VR Fire & Smokehouse
Newcomer of the Year - Coffee Specialist
Winner: Milled Coffee House
Highly Commended: Drip Belfast
Street Food of the Year
Winner: The Crisp Shack
Highly Commended: Made in Antrim
Franchise of the Year
Winner: Pizza Crew
Highly Commended: The Pizza Co.
Sustainable Food To Go Business of the Year
Winner: Wee Buns
Food Blogger of the Year
Winner: NI Food Reviews
Highly Commended: Keeva Eats
Evolve HR Team Recognition Award
Winner: Pizza Crew
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
Willie Marshal and Mike Lyle, Caper’s Pizza
