\n Date published:
\n 21 October 2026<\/p>\n
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2026 to Northern Ireland, ahead of tonight\u2019s ceremony in Belfast.<\/p>\n
The prestigious UK-wide awards are being held in Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history, with the ceremony taking place at Titanic Belfast today, Wednesday 21 October. Northern Ireland has also attracted a record number of entries this year.<\/p>\n
Minister Muir, who will jointly present the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award with Eve Blair, said:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m proud to welcome the BBC Food and Farming Awards to Belfast and Northern Ireland for the first time in their 26-year history.<\/p>\n
“These prestigious, UK-wide awards celebrate the very best in food and farming, and the people and businesses driving the sector forward.\u00a0 It is particularly exciting to see Northern Ireland strongly represented among this year\u2019s finalists. That is a powerful vote of confidence in the quality, innovation and ambition of our food and farming sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister continued:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to joining everyone at Titanic Belfast later today and to presenting the BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award. Good luck to all the nominees, and especially those representing Northern Ireland. You are doing us proud on the national stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BBC Radio Ulster Food Hero Award is a new category for 2026, celebrating people who provide high-quality, home-grown, seasonal food reflecting Northern Ireland\u2019s unique food identity.<\/p>\n
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