Local AND Food & Drink Champion Nominations 2025

Overview

LOCAL AND FOOD & DRINK CHAMPION AWARD

Taste Ards & North Down's Local Food & Drink Hero Awards take place on Wednesday 4 March 2026. These awards acknowledge the success of the food and drink sector in 2025 and provide a focus for our public message to support local food and drink businesses.

In this fifth edition of the awards, 31 businesses will be celebrated alongside the top producer accolade; the Lady Dufferin Award for Producer of the Year. In addition, we will crown the 'Taste Ards & North Down Local Food & Drink Champion of the Year'. This award will be presented to a person or business who stands out as a true 'champion of local food and drink.'

Why your views matter

VOTE NOW!

This is an opportunity for our food and drink businesses in the network to vote for their own champion.

Businesses may have up to three individual votes, but you must clearly indicate who you are and which business you are connected to.  You must either be an owner or a staff member.

Please note: Votes from non-network members will be voided, so please do not share this link to the general public as votes will be invalid.

Nominee criteria:

• Must be based in Ards and North Down.
• Must be connected to a food and drink businesses or organisation. (Producers, retailers, hospitality and those who are in a community role, provide a service to tourism or  are based in teaching position eligible).
• Must have a proven record of championing produce from Ards and North Down or show commitment to the development of the area as a food and drink destination.

This first round of nominations will close on Monday 16 February.  The top 3-5 nominations will go to a second round of voting.