NI Takeaway Awards 2021: Full list of the winners from best pizza to best catering van

The hospitality sector was one of the first high street casualties of the coronavirus lockdown, as their doors were forced to shut to diners to stop the spread of the virus.

However, chefs and their teams quickly adapted to make sure Northern Ireland’s foodies didn’t miss their fix of gourmet meals, with many establishments now offering takeaway and cook-at-home options.

As a result, the image of takeaway food has been flipped in the last year, elevating it well beyond its traditional limits.

And that is what inspired Andrew Benson and his fiancé Aine O’Kane to create the first NI Takeaway Awards.

The pair set out to celebrate the food heroes behind the scenes who have battled against the odds to keep the sector alive in the most challenging circumstances.

"We have previously staged the highly successful NI Fish and Chip Shop Awards, but like everyone, we had to adapt to the new COVID-safe regulations. With everything going on at the minute and takeaways being on the front line, we felt this was the perfect platform and time for our excellent food vendors to shine and get the recognition they deserve.

"Our local takeaways are the heartbeat of our high streets. From incredible Indians to perfect pizzerias, every town has its food heroes. We are recognising the dedication of local takeaways across a multitude of cuisines and celebrating their contribution to our economy,” Andrew Benson, managing director of AB Events, said.

The grand finale took place on Monday, June 21 at The Crowe Plaza Hotel in Belfast, with 14 awards going to all areas of the takeaway food industry.

Here are the winners:

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Indian Takeaway

Asha Tandoori Bangor (AB Events)

Asha Tandoori, Bangor

Highly commended: Kinara Indian Cuisine

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Healthy Takeaway

Taquitos Belfast (AB Events)

Taquitos, Belfast

Highly commended: Bebe Adrianoes Mexicanos

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Kebab Takeaway

Moghul 4 in 1 Carrickfergus (AB Events)

Moghul 4 in 1, Carrickfergus

Highly Commended: Sunny’s Ballymena

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Cafe Takeaway

Saints N Sinners Donaghadee (AB Events)

Saints N Sinners, Donaghadee

Highly Commended: Greenway 9 Lunch Bar

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Catering Food Trailer/Van Takeaway

Halls Chip and Grill. (AB Events)

Halls Chip N Grill, Carrowdore

Highly Commended: Ma’s Country Catering

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Catering Refreshments Trailer/Van Takeaway

Manders Catering with sponsors Butlers Events (AB Events)

Manders Catering, Kells

Highly Commended: Niky’s Ices

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Dessert Takeaway

Darren from Oggies Dessert Bar Bandbridge (AB Events)

Oggies Dessert Bar, Banbridge

Highly Commended: Manhatton Milkshakes

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Newcomer Takeaway

Catch 202 Fish and Chips with co sponsor Gerard Doherty from River Radio. (AB Events)

Catch 202 Fish and Chips, Belfast

Highly Commended: Yur Coddin Me

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Pizza Takeaway

Taste of New York Pizza with DK Service Global. (AB Events)

Taste Of New York Pizzeria, Castlewellan

Highly Commended: Fairhill Pizza, Cookstown

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Chip Shop Takeaway

Frydays Clady winners of the Chip Shop Award with Stuart Robinson (AB Events)

Frydays Chippy, Clady

Highly Commended: Flash in the Pan

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Chinese Takeaway

Sinley Chinese Cookstown winners of the Best Chinese Award (AB Events)

Sinley Takeaway, Cookstown

Highly Commended: Jasmine Chinese Takeaway

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Overall Takeaway

Saints N Sinners, Donaghadee

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Manager Takeaway

Megan Hamilton from Greenway 9 Lunch Bar (AB Events)

Megan Hamilton from Greenway 9 Lunch Bar, Donaghadee

Highly Commended: Carson Skelton, Dinky Donuts

The NI Takeaway Awards 2020-21 Best Menu Takeaway

Texas State Pizza

Highly Commended: Brendan’s Takeaway

The NI Takeaway Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

Margret and Jim O'Kane, The Jolly Fry’r Draperstown (AB Events)

Jim and Margaret O’Kane, The Jolly Fry’r, Draperstown