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Five years ago, Slow Food London created the Slow Food Awards, initially running in the London & South East area, these awards were truly democratic – with no prior shortlisting, the winners were simply chosen by whoever got the most votes. These Awards were so powerful in highlighting Good, Clean and Fair, that we made them UK wide – and thousands of you voted over the summer and early Autumn. Each nation has their own winners, with the highest number of votes in a category also being the overall UK winner.

In addition to the public vote, each nation director chose their person of the year, their stories are below, with one of those of winners being crowned Slow Food in the UK Person of Year as well.

Slow Food Northern Ireland Winners – Winners in Bold are also Slow Food in the UK Winners

Best Butcher                                  The Meat Merchant, Moira
Best Baker                                     Bara Bakehouse, Comber
Best Greengrocer                           Garden Fresh, Tandagree
Best Fishmonger                             Ewings, Belfast
Best Deli or Grocer                          Indie Fude, Comber
Best Cheesemonger                        Four Seasons Belfast
Best Market                                      Farmers Market at the Inns, Belfast
Best Restaurant/Food Eatery           The French Rooms, Bushmills
Champion Slow Food Product         Abernethy Butter

Person of the Year:  Charles Cole

Charles Cole heads up Broughgammon, home of forward thinking farming. Championing rose veal, producing kid goat and teaching artisan skills, Charles is a leader of sustainable farming. He was nominated by Director for Slow Food NI, Paula McIntyre