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Open the Curtains: Northern Ireland Food Steps Into the Light

In this episode of Food Stories From Here, Clare McGinn talks to Michele Shirlow of Food NI and award-winning producer Peter Hannan about Northern Ireland’s food story ten years on from Year of Food and Drink. As the BBC Food & Farming Awards come to Titanic Belfast for the first time, they explore confidence, craft, collaboration and why now is the moment to nominate the people shaping food and farming here.

Nominations: bbc.co.uk/foodawards.

What do King Charles, Stephen Fry and Northern Irish lobsters have to do with Titanic Belfast?

Quite a lot, as it turns out.

King Charles and Stephen Fry helped launch the BBC Food & Farming Awards 26 years ago. Northern Irish lobsters tell part of the bigger story of how our food scene has changed: once more likely to be shipped to Spain or France than eaten here, now appearing proudly on local plates. And Titanic Belfast will host the awards in October 2026, when they come to Northern Ireland for the first time.

In this warm, funny conversation, broadcasters chef Paula McIntyre talks to food journalist Sheila Dillon about how the Awards began, why they matter, and what this moment means for food and farming here.

Fascinating for anyone who knows a farmer, grower, baker, chef, producer, food teacher, community project or local food business that deserves recognition.

Listen, share, and nominate. Find out how in the podcast.