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Created eight years ago, the Slow Food awards are truly democratic – with no prior shortlisting, the winners are simply chosen by whoever gets the most votes. These Awards are so powerful in highlighting Good, Clean and Fair, that like last year, thousands of you voted over the summer. Each nation has its own winners, with the highest number of votes in each 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 Corndale Farm, Limavady
Best Baker Ursa Minor, Ballycastle
Best Greengrocer Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena
Best Fishmonger Native Seafood, Portstewart
Best Deli or Grocer Warkes Deli, Portstewart
Best Cheesemonger Mike’s Fancy Cheese, Belfast
Best Market St George’s Market, Belfast
Best Restaurant/Food Eatery Stock Kitchen and Bar, Belfast
Champion Slow Food Product Veal Charcuterie, Corndale Farm/Broughgammon
Person of the Year: Mike Thomson
Mike is the only raw milk cheesemaker in Northern Ireland, and an advocate of the craft. A huge supporter of other cheesemakers via his retail store, he is a trailblazer for good cheese in Northern Ireland. Nominated by Director for Slow Food NI, Paula McIntyre