LOCAL food and drinks producers have been recognised at the fourth annual TASTE AND Food Heroes Awards, hosted by Ards and North Down Council at Bangor Castle. The event, recognising the local industry’s achievements during 2024, saw a wide range of producers from across the Borough celebrate their successes alongside guests, including representation from the renowned Blas na hÉireann awards.
Ards and North Down currently ranks third among Northern Ireland’s local authorities for the number of awards won by producers and second for awards won by hospitality and restaurant businesses.
The two main awards on the night were presented to Bryan Boggs from Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt who won the Local Food Champion award and Robbie Neill from Stonebridge Farm, Ballygowan, who secured the prestigious Lady Dufferin Producer of the Year award, judged by the Clandeboye Estate.
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, said: “These awards are a celebration of what has been a very successful year for our food and drink sector.
“ Our Borough boasts an increasingly strong and impressive sector that continues to do us very proud and the Taste AND Food Heroes Awards show that innovation, tenacity, and resilience are the hallmarks of our local food and drink producers.”
