A total of 13 awards were presented at the gala ceremony, hosted by the BBC’s Mark Simpson in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast.

Hosted by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and supported by principal sponsor firmus energy, the awards are widely recognised as a key indicator of quality and success for food manufacturers and processors, offering local companies an invaluable opportunity to showcase innovative, quality products in front of key customers and stakeholders.

This year’s awards were bigger than ever, with categories including new additions, the Environmental Sustainability Award and Healthier Product Innovation Award.

The four firmus energy Best New product awards were picked up by Dale Farm in the large company category with Dromona Lactose Free Sliced cheese, Genesis Bakery in the medium company category for its Meringue A Tang Biscake; while Hinch Distillery collected the small company category award for Hinch Whiskey, with Karri Kitchen Ltd named highly commended for Mango Chicken Curry.

Cookstown-based Big Pot Co won the micro company award with Vegan Sweet Potato Soup, and received highly commended for its Vegan Butternut Squash and Chipotle Bean Soup in the same category.

Congratulating the winners on the night, Michael Bell, Executive Director, Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) said: “Food and drink is one of Northern Ireland’s key strategic sectors, supporting some 113,000 jobs across the supply chain and generating £4.9billion value added here annually. That commercial success is built on the passion, ingenuity and hard work of food and drink companies of all sizes right across Northern Ireland. The awards are a celebration of those companies, and the people within them.

“On behalf of all of us at NIFDA I would like to thank everyone who entered, our event sponsors and our expert judges – this event would not be possible without their hard work and support. Our congratulations go to all of tonight’s winners, they should be proud of their achievements, and we look forward to their continued growth and further success in the future.”

Niall Martindale, Interim Managing Director at firmus energy, principal sponsor for the event said: “It has been a privilege to support NIFDA as the 2022 principal Awards sponsor.

“Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector continues to go from strength to strength and firmus energy has an important role to play to support it. By connecting companies to the gas network, and introducing sustainable gases such as Biomethane and Hydrogen into the gas network in the future, we can help the industry operate more sustainably and deliver the government’s net zero carbon goals.”

“On behalf of all at firmus energy I would like to offer our congratulations to all winners, and all entrants across the 13 awards categories.”

The Winners

The post Innovative local companies celebrated at NI food and drink awards first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

A local bakery is behind an innovative new bakery hybrid set to hit the shelves of M&S stores across the UK.

Developed by long-term local supplier, Genesis Bakery, the Biscake, a combination of both biscuit and cake, is being produced exclusively for Marks & Spencer stores.

Available in three delicious flavours –  ‘Choc Chip off the old block’, ‘Cherry Cake-well’ and ‘Lemon Meringue-a-tang’ – the Biscakes blend a biscuit base and fluffy, light and decadent cupcake top, topped off with beautiful decoration which is expertly hand-piped by the Genesis team.

Chip off the old block

Local suppliers have been central to the M&S success story and with 20 stores, eight of which are dedicated Food outlets, this new bakery innovation is testament to the retailer’s commitment to its local supply base in Northern Ireland.

Started in 1968, Genesis Bakery has been a trusted M&S supplier for over 10 years, using high quality ingredients to bake award-winning products.

This new contract with M&S is another success for Genesis which Paul Allen bought in 2018 out of administration, saving nearly 300 jobs.

Local product

Philip Conlon, Head of Region for M&S in Northern Ireland said:“The support of local companies has been key to our success in Northern Ireland.  It has always been our policy to stock a range of fantastic local produce where possible and Genesis are the perfect example of how successful this arrangement can be. Their expertise and knowledge of the market and their ability to work with us to provide our customers with the highest quality products cannot be beaten. Our 10-year partnership bears witness to both our supplier commitment and the quality of their product.

New and exclusive

“This new and exclusive fusion to M&S, the Biscake, is a credit to the new product development team at Genesis Bakery who work hard to produce the most innovative and great tasting products using the best ingredients, many of which are sourced locally.

“The response to the Biscake has been phenomenal in our M&S stores here and we are delighted to share them with our wider customer base across mainland UK – the proof is certainly in the eating!.”

Real accolade

Paul Allen, Executive Chairman of Genesis Bakery said: “We are delighted with the response to this exceptional product.  We make more than 25 different lines for M&S, who constantly challenge us to come up with baked goods that are new and exciting for customers.  Their requirement for the highest possible standards are well known and it is a real accolade when cakes made in our bakery in Magherafelt are on shelves every day in hundreds of M&S stores all over the UK and indeed all over the world.  We have invested heavily in new product development and seeing Biscakes being so well received gives us all a real sense of pride in the skill of our development and bakery teams.”

Bakery hybrids

M&S is famed for its bakery hybrids and are leaders in the market for bringing these customer favourites to the masses.  Recently launching the Yumnut, a yum yum and doughnut cross, these sweet treats swiftly shot up the best-sellers list and have already gained international notoriety.

Northern Ireland is a major supply region for the Marks & Spencer food business with an extensive range of products including milk, eggs, beef, lamb pork and bread, not only for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland stores, but also for many stores across the UK.

The post ‘Sweet Success’ for M&S as local bakery creates new ‘hybrid’ treat – the Biscake first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Mark Mitchell, former Wrightbus (International) Managing Director, takes on new role as the company begins search for a National Sales Manager.

Genesis Bakery has announced the appointment of Mark Mitchell as general manager at the Magherafelt bakery.

Mark, who undertook several senior roles at Wrightbus over the past seven years, and was managing director of the company’s international branch, also has a wealth of experience in the food sector having previously held management roles in a variety of Northern Ireland’s leading food companies.

Paul Allen, executive chairman, Genesis said: “We are delighted that Mark has joined us. He brings a lot of experience and strengths to the team and even in the short time he has been with us we have been delighted at how well he has fitted in and the positive impact he has had on the business.”

Mark’s appointment was made as the bakery’s drive to strengthen the team continues. Genesis is also recruiting for a new national sales manager post for the island of Ireland. It’s a role that will ensure Genesis maintains strong links with its existing high profile customers – from supermarkets to symbol groups – as well as identifying and securing new opportunities for business growth.

Mr Allen continued: “A lot of hard work has gone into turning Genesis around from administration two years ago. We’ve completed a very successful rebrand and are also driving forward our market expansion plans. Bringing on a new National Sales Manager to boost the team is part of continuing that journey of improvement.”

Mr Allen, formerly CEO at Tayto, took over Genesis when it went into administration in 2018, saving more than 250 jobs.

Genesis also seeking new all-island sales manager

The former managing director of Wrightbus has been appointed to Magherafelt-based Genesis Bakery, formerly McErleans.

Mark Mitchell has joined as general manager. He has extensive experience in the food sector having previously held various management roles.

Genesis executive chairman Paul Allen said: “We are delighted that Mark has joined us. He brings a lot of experience and strengths to the team and even in the short time he has been with us we have been delighted at how well he has fitted in and the positive impact he has had on the business.”

Strong team

The appointment was made as the bakery’s drive to strengthen its team continues. It is also recruiting for a national sales manager post.

The role will ensure the bakery maintains strong links with its existing customers, as well as identify and secure opportunities for business growth, said the firm.

Successful rebrand

“A lot of hard work has gone into turning Genesis around from administration two years ago. We’ve completed a very successful rebrand and are also driving forward our market expansion plans. Bringing on a new national sales manager to boost the team is part of continuing that journey of improvement,” added Paul.

Paul Allen, the former CEO of Tayto Group, took over the business when it went into administration in 2018, saving more than 250 jobs. Last year the business was given a new look and rebranded its Crafty range to Genesis.

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