Bord Bia in conjunction with Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) today announced details of the Food and Drink Industry Awards 2007. The awards, which take place every two years, will be staged in O'Reilly Hall at University College Dublin on Friday 21st of September 2007. Closing date for applications is Friday 15th June, 2007
The awards will be held in a new and exciting format reflecting the findings of Bord Bia's Consumer Lifestyle Trends Research. Six consumer trends were identified in the programme and an award category has been developed around each of these. The awards will recognise businesses who provide food solutions that make life better, brighter and easier for the modern consumer.
Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia commented "Retailers and food service providers are looking for smart break through solutions that can capture the imagination, trust and loyalty of the consumer. These awards will celebrate how Irish food and drink companies are responding with products that fit consumer demand as well as the supermarket shelf."
"The Food and Drink Industry Awards 2007 will play an important role in acknowledging this achievement and in celebrating the products, the companies and, most of all, the people who make a difference as our industry grows, innovates and prospers" he continued.
An impressive panel of international judges has been engaged which represents opinion formers in Food Business, Nutrition, Retail and Food Service and will be chaired by John Fanning, Chairman of McConnell's Advertising.
For further information, please contact Bord Bia on 01 6685155 or foodawards@bordbia.ie.
Closing date for applications is Friday 15th June, 2007.
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For any further information, please contact:
Margaret Dorgan, Corporate Communications Manager, Bord Bia
01 614 2245 / 087 263 2836
Notes to Editor:
The award categories are:
Life on the go - "I need to be able to cope with the demands of my busy day"
Living life to the full - "I want experiences that help me get the most out of the life"
Making a difference - "I want to feel good about the choices I make and do my bit when I can"
Quest for health and wellness - "I want to manage or improve my health and wellness"
The smart shopper - "I like to make smart choices when I buy things and want to feel I'm getting a good deal"
The real thing - "I am looking for the real thing; I care where it comes from and how it is made"
The Judges
The independent judging panel will consist of:
Chairman John Fanning, Chairman, McConnells Advertising and adjunct Professor of Marketing, Trinity College Dublin
Panel:
Simon Booth, Director, E. H. Booth UK
Greg Dawson, Produce Buyer, Whole Foods UK
Liam Igoe, Food and Drink Analyst, Goodbody Stockbrokers
Paula Mee, Nutrition Consultant, RTE Health Squad Presenter
David Mulcahy, Foodservices Director, Sodexho UK
Marie Melnyk, Former Trading Director, Morrison UK
Mitze Wilson, Daily Mail Columnist, Former Editor of BBC Good Food and Delicious Magazines
Gordon Campbell, Managing Director, International Spar Centrele B.V., The Netherlands