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Four Newry food businesses have been listed as finalists for the 2024 NI Food to Go Awards.
VR Fire & Smokehouse are finalists in the Specialist Newcomer of the Year; Mac’s Pizzas Ltd are finalists in the Best Breakfast to Go; Spice India Curry and Kebabs are finalists in Best Indian Food to Go & Best Kebab to Go and Bunreal are finalists for Newcomer of the Year.
The awards in association with Henderson Foodservice will recognise and celebrate the excellence and variety of food to go establishments in Northern Ireland. These are the first awards of its kind to be professionally and independently judged in Northern Ireland and are organised by the NI Food to Go Association.
Hundreds of entries from food to go business were received across 23 categories, ranging from Sustainable Food to Go Business of the Year, Best Coffee to Go, Best Burger to Go to Catering Truck of the Year.
The esteemed judging panel of industry experts was led by restaurant reviewer and food writer, Joris Minne, who commented; “It has been a pleasure for all of us as judges to dive into the thriving food to go scene here in Northern Ireland. Not only has the judging panel discovered new and exciting businesses in our local communities, but we have tasted dishes inspired by flavours from the Philippines to Philadelphia, local favourites cooked extremely well and a range of exciting plates of food that are thinking outside the box. We look forward to honouring all finalists and winners on the 19th November."
Joris was joined by Into Media Group business editor Gary McDonald; CEO of Food NI Michele Shirlow; business editor and food columnist John Mulgrew; chef, entrepreneur and food columnist Paula McIntyre; 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.
NI Food to Go Association CEO Michael Henderson also commented; “This is an opportunity to showcase our vast array of food to go businesses across Northern Ireland. It is important to acknowledge the entrepreneurial flair, dedication and contribution of these businesses to the local economy.”
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, BIOPAX, Zeus Packaging, Makro Belfast / Booker Wholesale UK and Stack Field Solutions UK.
The awards will also raise funds and awareness for charity partner Friends of the Cancer Centre.
The Finalists
Best Asian-Pan Asian Food to Go
Bao Bun
Jimmy House
Kamakura Sushi and Ramen - Ballyhackamore
Manongs Ltd
Sinley Chinese
Best Bakery / Patisserie to Go
68bakes
Beth's Bakery
Brownies On The Hill
CeCe's Cakes and Bakes
Manders global
Ollie’s Patisserie
Wee Buns
Yum Cakes
Best Breakfast to Go
Cargo Coffee
Jose’s Deli
KAFF
Kate’s
Mac's Pizzas Ltd
Milled Coffee House
Best Burger to Go
7 Towers Burgers
BELFAST BURGER
The Chip Co.
Hillbilly’s Fried Chicken
Jose’s Deli
Monte Carlo
Sixty Nine
Steel Yard Cafe
The Crisp Shack
Best Coffee to Go
Barista Bar Cafe
Barista Express
Buzz n’ Berry
CARGO COFFEE
Frappa Coffee
KAFF
Milled Coffee House
Wee Buns
Best Deli Food to Go
Cafe Roo
Fitzy's Grill
Jose’s Deli
Tasty Nosh Deli Belfast & Tasty Nosh West
Temple SPAR
The Food House
Best Dessert
Brownies On The Hill
CC's Sweets & Treats
Fulla Crepe
Ollie’s Patisserie
Patisserie G
Scoop and Cup
Best Fish & Chips to Go
Browns Fish and Chips
ChipCo
Chipmongers
Codzilla
Joe's Traditional Fish and Chips
Monte Carlo
Nemo’s
The Chip Factory
The Frying Squad
The Gourmet Grill Chippy Ltd
Best Healthy Food to Go
Buzz n’ Berry
Cafe Roo
KAFF
Best Indian Food to Go
Asha Tandoori Indian Takeaway
Ayat Spice Ltd
Bingi's Kitchen
Panjab Indian Restaurant
Shapla Indian Restaurant
Spice India Curry and Kebabs
The Indian Chef
Yaks Nepalese & Indian Contemporary Restaurant & Takeaway
Best Kebab to Go
Asha Tandoori Indian Takeaway
Ayat Spice Ltd
Gyros King
Naan Doughs
Romeo’s Takeaway
Spice India Curry and Kebabs
The Shawarma
The Sphinx
Best Mexican Food to Go
3 Amigos Deli
Bad Boyz Mexican
Bebe Adrianos Mexicanos
Taquitos
Tex-Mex
Best Pizza to Go
Alpaca Pizza & Eats
Fairhill Pizzeria
Four Star Pizza Lisburn
Love Pizza
Phat Pizza
Pizza crew
Pizza Napoletana by belfastpizzablogger
Pizza Umami
Romeo’s Takeaway
Taste of New York Pizzeria
Catering Truck of the Year
Browns Award Winning Fish and Chips
Cousins Catering
Craft Catering and Events
Cranes Food Truck
Fairley's Flavours
Pizza Umami
Steel Yard Cafe
The Crisp Shack
Food Court of the Year
Buzz n’ Berry
CastleCourt Shopping Centre
Clipper Quay Street Food Market
Newcomer of the Year
Alpaca Pizza & Eats
BELFAST BURGER
Bunreal
Buzz n’ Berry
CC's Sweets & Treats
Fitzy's Grill
Pizza Max North Belfast
Rolys Bistro
Sixty Nine
Slice of Change
Newcomer of the Year – Specialist
Indian Tiffins Belfast
Smoke BBQ ltd
Super Spud
Taste of Philly
The Wing Society
VR Fire & Smokehouse
Newcomer of the Year – Coffee
Cafe Roo
Drip Belfast
Milled Coffee House
Steele Co Coffee Lab
Street Food of the Year
Bee Eaters
Bigfoot Spuds Enniskillen
Made In Antrim
Sam Smith's Street Food
Taquitos
The Crisp Shack
Franchise of the Year
Chickn Lickn
ChipCo
Monte Carlo
Pizza Crew
Apache Pizza
The Pizza Co
Sustainable Food to Go Business of the Year
7 Tower Burger
Café Roo
Fishmongers
Fitzy's Grill
KAFF
Nemo’s
North Coast Pizza
Wee Buns
Food Blogger of the Year
Alex Huston Eats
Fermanagh Foodie
FOOD FINDER NI
Keeva Eats
NI Food Reviews
The Kearney’s
Evolve HR Team Recognition Award
KAFF
Pizza Crew
Chipmongers
Spice India Curry and Kebabs
A limited number of tickets are available www.foodtogoawards.co.uk
