Date: 30th November 2021
The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland is delighted to announce The Cottage, as the winner of their search for the Best Scone in Northern Ireland.
The Cottage from Craft Gallery and Coffee Shop from Derry/Londonderry who claimed the £1,000
hospitality voucher prize, was announced as the winner of the competition at the award ceremony
at the Merchant Hotel Belfast.
The competition received almost 15,000 public votes for 107 local businesses across the hospitality sector
in Northern Ireland. It was launched by the Dairy Council and funded by the European Union in the search
to find the best scones in cafés, hotels and restaurants as part of a campaign to support local hospitality
businesses across Northern Ireland who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Mike Johnston MBE, CEO for the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland commented;
“We have been delighted with the support of businesses and the public for this competition. Scones are
a special part of the culinary culture of Northern Ireland and the level of engagement we have had has
shown how important it is to enjoy a scone with friends and family. We were particularly pleased to
organise this competition as a way of helping the hospitality sector reopen following COVID lock-down.
Cafes, restaurants and hotels are important customers for our dairy companies and the use a lot of milk,
butter, cream and cheese, not only in their scones, but also in the many dishes they prepare and serve
each day. We have been pleased to work with these hospitality businesses through this competition, and
to emphasize the many benefits of dairy products in helping chefs provide delicious food for their
customers”
In addition to the overall winner category, there were also prizes awarded for the three categories of café,
hotel and restaurant. The Cottage also hold the prize for best cafe, The Dairy, Glen claimed the award for
the best restaurant category and Dobbins Inn, Carrickfergus were named as the winner for the best hotel
category at the awards.
Following the initial voting stage, a judging panel visited the finalists to sample the scones and decide the
Best Scones in NI. The panel consisted of local celebrity chef, Paula McIntyre, food education consultant,
Glynis Henderson and Dairy Council NI representative, Valerie Rossborough.
For some Scrumptious Scone inspiration, check out the Lakeland Dairies Scrumptious Scones Activity resource here
The fifteen finalists were:
- Café Vic-Ryn,
- Ciara’s Home Bakes,
- Espresso @ etc,
- Patricia’s Coffee House,
- The Cottage Coffee Shop,
- Adair Arms Hotel,
- Dobbins Inn Hotel,
- Leona’s Tea Room at Magherabuoy House,
- Oranmore House,
- The Conservatory – Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort,
- Harrisons of Greyabbey,
- Logans Restaurant and Café,
- Restaurant Sorrento,
- The Dairy
- The Millwheel Restaurant
