Taste Causeway Slow Food Awards

Taste Causeway is an accredited Slow Food destination, one of only a handful of destinations in Ireland to be awarded the accolade by the global Slow Food Movement.

Slow Food was initially founded by a group of activists in Italy during the 1980s with the aim of defending regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure and a slow pace of life.

It has since grown into a global movement involving millions of people, in over 150 countries that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to the community and the environment.

Recognising the importance of our local food traditions and the years of accrued knowledge and culture that accompanies this, Slow Food promotes true enjoyment of good food, and food production systems that provide good, clean and fair food for everyone.

Slow Food in NI is headed by chef Paula McIntyre.

Being the director of Slow Food NI requires Paula to oversee the Slow Food business accreditation process which she openly admits is strict. Businesses who achieve the Slow Food stamp are able to use the trademark symbol of a red snail which tells customers that food served is high-quality, unique and sustainable and is actively helping make a positive environmental and socio-cultural impact in their local area.

Created nine 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 autumn. 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.

The Slow Food UK award winners 2022 were announced on 9^th December with Slow Food Causeway taking 4 of the 10 awards for Northern Ireland. 

Best Butcher - Seaview Farms, Portrush 

Best Baker  - Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Ballycastle

Best Fishmonger - Native Seafood & Scran Portstewart

Slow Food Person of the Year - Leona Kane, Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil

Congratulations to all the winners who are true ambassadors of the Slow Food movement.