Moira company win award

Best Speciality from Northern Ireland (L-R) John Farrand (MD Guild of Fine Food), Nigel Hardy (Invest Northern Ireland) and Peter Hannan (Hannan Meats).

The company were awarded the Golden Fork for Best Speciality from Northern Ireland, sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland, for its 3-star Salt-Aged Rack of Glenarm Shorthorn Beef.

This was just one of five Hannan Meats’ products that reached the Great Taste Top 50 Foods and judges were abundant with their praise for the Rack of Shorthorn which was described as “A revelation - sweetness in the meat and absolutely right there.”

The award, presented at the annual Great Taste Golden Fork dinner in London on September 9, once again positions Hannan Meats amongst the very top food producers in the UK and Ireland and reflects the exceptional farming and butchery skills of Peter Hannan and his team from Moira.

Also nominated in the region was McCartney’s, also of Moira for its three-star Mushroom, Leek and Smoked Garlic Tart, showing great skill in vegetarian food for an award-winning butcher.

A new Golden Fork Award for 2013 – for Best Deli & Farm Shop Signature Dish was presented to Simon Dougan of Yellow Door Deli in Portadown.

Judges felt that Simon’s Braised Irish Beef Cheek and Smoked Potato Pie was an outstanding dish which showed “provenance, regionality and expertise in a perfect pastry crust”.

This award was sponsored by Huhtamaki in Dollingstown, makers of eco disposables.

The Golden Fork for Ambient Product of the Year (sponsored by Petty Wood) was presented to En Place Foods for its three-star Sea Salted Caramel with Fennel Pollen – making it a hat trick for Northern Ireland.