On Thursday 11th May 2017 there was a gorgeous free from gala dinner in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood. Unfortunately, we couldn't attend this year and I'm not going to skimp on this - I was gutted! Last year we had a great night and it's so much fun to watch the awards being given out, but, alas, it wasn't meant to be for us this year. I still got to be part of the amazing judging panel and it is always a privilege to take part.
Without further a-do... here are all the 2017 winners
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
BFree Foods
Sweet Potato Wrap
PRODUCT RANGE OF THE YEAR
Tesco Free From
INNOVATION
Dr. Coys
nutritional chocolate range
9 White Deer
extensive gluten-free beer range
Dan & Monstro
high vegetable content soup & sauce range
Ombar
chocolate range containing Bio live cultures for gut health
Maria Lucia Bakes
‘on the go’ pot range
Category: BARS
SILVER KELKIN Belgian Milk Chocolate Wafer
BRONZE FOODS OF ATHENRY Rocky Road
MERIT KELKIN Belgian Milk Chocolate Fingers
MERIT ALDI Free From Chocolate Biscuit Bar
Category: BEER
SILVER 9 WHITE DEER Stag Saor Gluten Free IPA
BRONZE ESTRELLA Daura Damm
MERIT 9 WHITE DEER Stag Saor Gluten Free Red Ale
Category: BEVERAGES (NON ALCOHOL)
SILVER MAGIC MAYAN CHOCOLATE Hot Chocolate
BRONZE SUPERVALU Lactose Free Milk
MERIT ALDI Lactose Free Milk
Category: BISCUITS & COOKIES
SILVER TESCO Tesco Finest Free From Wheat & Gluten - White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookies
SILVER ALDI Specially Selected 'HAS NO' - All Butter White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookies
BRONZE BIA GANBREISE Gookies Original Cookie Dough
BRONZE BIA GANBREISE Gookies Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
MERIT GENIUS Chocolate Chip & Oat Breakfast Bakes
MERIT ALDI Specially Selected HAS NO - All Butter Quadruple Chocolate Cookies
Category: BREADS (SLICED & LOAF)
SILVER ALDI Zilch Multiseed Loaf
BRONZE SUPERVALU Gluten Free White Loaf
MERIT PURE BRED Multiseed Loaf
Category: BREAD MIXES
SILVER ODLUMS White Bread Mix
BRONZE MIDDLETON FOODS Bread & Pizza Mix
Category: BREAD PRODUCTS
SILVER RULE OF CRUMB Par Baked Baguette
BRONZE BFREE Pitta Bread
MERIT JUVELA Fresh White Rolls
Category: BREAKFAST (NON CEREAL)
GOLD ICELAND Glendara Gluten Free Black Pudding
GOLD CLONAKILTY Gluten Free Black Pudding
SILVER OH SO LEAN Low Fat Pork Sausage
BRONZE GENIUS Pancakes
MERIT O'FLYNNS Sage & Black Pepper Sausage
MERIT KOKO KoKo Dairy Free Original + Calcium
Category: BREAKFAST CEREALS
GOLD HOMESPUN FOODS Quinoa Crunch - Pecan & Cranberry
SILVER NESTLE GoFree Corn Flakes
BRONZE KELKIN Organic Buckwheat Flakes
BRONZE KELKIN Buckwheat Flakes With Apple & Apricot
MERIT SUPERVALU Gluten Free Porridge
MERIT MARIA LUCIA BAKES Porridge Pot
MERIT ALDI Gluten Free Porridge
Category: CAKES
SILVER ALDI Raspberry Bomb
BRONZE ALDI HAS NO Coffee Cake
MERIT FOODS OF ATHENRY Chocolate Biscuit Cake
MERIT FOODS OF ATHENRY Christmas Cake
Category: CAKES (ARTISAN)
GOLD WILDBERRY BAKERY Orange & Almond Cake
SILVER ROSALEEN'S KITCHEN Carrot & Walnut Cake
BRONZE ROSALEEN'S KITCHEN Raspberry Muffins
Category: CAKE MIXES
SILVER MIDDLETON FOODS Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix
BRONZE ODLUMS Gluten Free Fruit Scone Mix
Category: CATERING & FOOD SERVICE
SILVER NATURES OILS Taco Sauce
SILVER NATURES OILS Sweet Chilli Sauce
BRONZE RULE OF CRUMB Gluten Free Corn Flakes (Individual Portion Packs)
Category: CONDIMENTS DRESSINGS & MARINADES
SILVER TASTE OF GOODNESS Honey Mustard Dressing
BRONZE MAMA NAGI'S Bengali Sweet Chilli Paste
Category: CONFECTIONERY
SILVER MIENAS Almond & Mixed Berries Nougat
BRONZE MIENAS Chocolate Hazelnut & Cranberry Nougat
Category: CONFECTIONERY (CHOCOLATE)
SILVER DR SCHAR Gluten Free Chocolate Fingers
BRONZE OMBAR Vanilla & Coconut
MERIT DR COY’S Coconut Nutritional Chocolate Bar
MERIT DR COY’S Mint Nutritional Chocolate Bar
Category: CRACKERS & CRISPBREADS
GOLD ORIGIN EARTH Crispy Bread Crackers with caraway
SILVER FOODS OF ATHENRY Cranberry & Hazelnut Toasts
BRONZE DR SCHÄR Salty Crackers
MERIT JUVELA Chia Crispbread
Category: CRISPS & SNACKS
GOLD O'DONNELLS Cheese & Onion
SILVER KEOGHS Chorizo & Cherry Tomato
BRONZE ALDI Toffee Popcorn
Category: DESSERTS & PUDDINGS
GOLD TESCO Free From Strawberry Ice Cream Cone
SILVER PUDOLOGY Chocolate Pudding
BRONZE TESCO Profiteroles
Category: DIPS & RELISHES
SILVER SOLPURO Brunch Guacamole
SILVER SOLPURO Classic Guacamole
BRONZE MAMA NAGIS Keralan Coconut Chilli Paste
MERIT SPICE DEVILS Nawty Dressing Mild
MERIT SPICE DEVILS Nawty Dressing Hot
Category: FISH PRODUCTS
SILVER KILMORE QUAY KIDS Fish Fingers
BRONZE DUNNES STORES Gluten Free Breaded Hake Fillets
MERITS DUNNES STORES Gluten Free Breaded Haddock Goujons
MERITS KILMORE QUAY Lemon & Pepper Goujons
Category: FLOURS, BATTERS & MIXES
SILVER JUVELA Fibre Mix (All Purpose)
BRONZE ODLUMS Gluten Free Pancake Mix
MERIT DOVES FARM Xanthan Gum
Category: KIDS CHOICE
SILVER TESCO Free From Kids Cereal Selection
BRONZE DOHERTY'S MEATS Gluten Free Cocktail Sausages
MERITS KELKIN Snack Pack Mini Milk Chocolate Rice Cakes
Category: LONG LIFE
SILVER JUVELA White Loaf
BRONZE NEW FOUND JOY Gluten Free Rocky Road
Category: MEAT FREE
SILVER ALDI Sweet Potato Pakora
BRONZE SUMMER GARDEN Vegetarian Lasange
Category: MEAT SAUSAGES
SILVER MALLONS Low Fat & Gluten Free Garlic & Herb Pork Sausages
BRONZE TESCO Free From Sausages
MERIT ALDI HAS NO Gluten Free Sausages
MERIT OH SO LEAN Pork & Leek Sausages
Category: MEAT (OTHER)
SILVER OH SO LEAN Steak Burger
BRONZE DOHERTY'S MEATS Gluten Free Beef Burgers
Category: PARENT’S CHOICE
SILVER PIP & PEAR Baby Ragu
BRONZE QUINOLA MOTHERGRAIN Kids’ Tex Mex
Category: POULTRY & GAME
GOLD SUPERVALU Gluten Free Chicken Goujons
SILVER RULE OF CRUMB Gluten Free Chicken Goujons
BRONZE RULE OF CRUMB Gluten Free Chicken Kiev
Category: PIZZA
GOLD GOODFELLAS Gluten Free Pepperoni Pizza
SILVER WHOLE CREATIONS Gluten Free Cheesy Garlic Pizza Bread
BRONZE SUPERVALU Gluten Free Pizza Bases
Category: PASTA
SILVER KELKIN Gluten Free Lasagne Sheet
BRONZE DOVES FARM Gluten Free Maize & Rice Pasta
MERIT TESCO Free From Spaghetti
MERIT TESCO Free From Maize CousCous
Category: RAW & SUPERFOODS
SILVER QUINOLA MOTHERGRAIN Red Quinoa
BRONZE STRONG ROOTS Ripened Avocado Halves
Category: READY TO COOK
SILVER STRONG ROOTS Oven Baked Sweet Potato
BRONZE QUINOLA MOTHERGRAIN Indian Style Quinoa
MERIT OH SO LEAN Venison Burger
MERIT MASH DIRECT Cauliflower Cheese Gratin
Category: READY TO COOK MEALS
GOLD OH SO LEAN Rice Pot
SILVER KINSALE BAY Shepherd’s Pie
SILVER KINSALE BAY Cottage Pie
BRONZE SUMMER GARDEN Beef Lasagne
MERIT TESCO Free From Instant Rice Noodle (Curry)
Category: RICE & CORN CAKES
SILVER KELKIN Dark Chocolate & Mint Rice Cakes
BRONZE KELKIN Caramel Rice Cake Thins
Category: SAUCES (COOKING)
GOLD TASTE OF GOODNESS Pepper Sauce
SILVER PEPPUP Roasted Pepper Tomato Pasta Sauce
BRONZE TESCO Free From Red Thai Curry Cooking Sauce
Category: SAUCES (POUR OVER)
GOLD REAL GOOD Tomato Ketchup
SILVER TASTE OF GOODNESS Secret Sauce
BRONZE TASTE OF GOODNESS Southwest Sauce
BRONZE DRAGON BRAND FOODS Southwest Sauce
MERIT TESCO Free From Tomato Ketchup
Category: SEASONAL
GOLD GRANNY’S TRADITIONAL Christmas Ice Cream
SILVER TESCO Tesco Finest Milk, Wheat & Gluten Free
Chocolate Easter Egg With Fondant Truffles
BRONZE TESCO Free From Milk Chocolate Easter Egg
MERIT BUTE ISLAND Wensleydale & Cranberry Sheese
MERIT ICELAND Glendarra Gluten Free Sausage Meat
Category: SOUPS
SILVER ALDI Beetroot & Pomegranate Soup
BRONZE ALDI Tomato & Basil Soup
MERIT OH SO LEAN Smooth Country Vegetable Soup
MERIT ALDI Curried Sweet Potato Soup
Category: SUBSTITUTE, VEGAN & VEGETARIAN PRODUCTS
SILVER BUTE ISLAND Grated Cheddar Sheese
BRONZE KOKO Dairy Free Spread
MERIT TESCO Free From Almond Milk
MERIT BUTE ISLAND Cheddar Style with Caramelised Red Onion Sheese
Category: VALUE
SILVER ALDI HAS NO White Bread
BRONZE ICELAND Glendarra Gluten Free White Pudding
BRONZE ICELAND Glendarra Gluten Free Black Pudding
Press Release
Winners Announced at Gala Presentation, Thursday 11th May
The winners of the only awards dedicated to freefrom products in Ireland are being announced at a Gala Presentation ceremony in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, on Thursday 11th May. This year sees the Awards expand to 44 categories, with 101 brands and a total of 583 products judged over 14 days. This demonstrates the continued growth of the freefrom sector, with manufacturers responding to demand, be it gluten free, dairy free, wheat free or any of the 14 allergens which limit consumer’s diets.
Whether food be medicine or lifestyle choice, the growth is driving the freefrom industry, and figures suggest that freefrom is not a fad, but here to stay. Bord Bia cite that the Irish gluten free market is worth €66 million, a 36% increase on last year. This is an extremely positive outcome for consumers who are coeliac or who have a diagnosed intolerance or allergy, needing certain foods to be available to them. The FreeFrom Food Awards looks for excellence and innovation in this industry, so that the bar is constantly raised in terms of quality, availability and affordability in freefrom foods.
The FreeFrom Food Awards took place in Ireland in 2016 for the first time and were hugely successful, with many brands benefiting from the opportunity to herald their products as award winning. Product of the Year winner, Rule of Crumb were listed in over 450 Sainsbury’s stores with their Gluten Free Profiterole.
Having originated in the UK, the Irish awards were founded by coeliac businessman, John Burke. “We are amazed at the excellence of the products that have come this year. The Awards were established to promote quality, to seek out diversity, to encourage manufacturers to bring new products to the market place. The freefrom market is advancing and we’re keen to see this continuing in the future,” says Burke. “As a coeliac of 44 years, I am thrilled to witness these changes – we’ve come a long way since unpalatable bread and plain dinners – it’s very satisfying to see the market evolve and to acknowledge those contributing to it.”
Gold, Silver and Bronze are granted, along with a Merit badge for products still considered high quality by the judges. Winners may display the relevant badge on their packaging, which helps consumers wading through the extensive freefrom sections of stores to discern which products are best. Categories are diverse from pasta to ready meals, cakes to crisps and bread products to breakfast cereals.
‘It was a great boost that our gluten-free profiteroles won the product of the year award in 2016. Since winning the awards we have received great interest from consumers and buyers. Having a winning product really helps to break into these areas,” says Colum McLornan, Director, Rule of Crumb.
Winners are announced during a 5 course gluten-free meal at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Also presented are the coveted Product of the Year, Range of the Year, Innovation, and the special Services to the Industry Award, sponsored by Juvela, which recognises contribution by individuals to the arena. Freefrom Food Awards Ireland has been established independently by John Burke, founder of GFLife.
The FreeFrom Food Awards, were started in the UK in 2007, being the only industry awards for FreeFrom foods, by FoodsMatter and FreeFrom Foods Matter. Having been a judge at the UK FreeFrom Awards for over 7 years, John adapted the awards format for an Irish setting.
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