LCN Awards 2025 shines spotlight on thriving Food to Go sector

The 2025 LCN Awards introduces a new category to celebrate innovation and excellence in the fast-growing Food to Go market.

To acknowledge this growth, the Licensed & Catering News (LCN) Awards 2025 has introduced a new category: Best Food to Go. This category celebrates businesses that are leading the way in shaping consumer dining habits. In addition, a new category for Gastro Pub of the Year has been added to recognise excellence in that area as well.

As people seek more convenient dining options that don’t sacrifice quality, the Food to Go sector in Northern Ireland has experienced rapid growth. From artisan delis and gourmet takeaways to innovative grab-and-go options, businesses are offering fresh, high-quality meals for busy professionals, students, and families. This sector is now an important part of Northern Ireland’s hospitality scene, meeting the demand for quick yet quality meals.

Bill Penton, Managing Director of Penton Publications and the Licensed & Catering News, explained the significance of this growth: “Food to Go has moved far beyond the traditional takeaway model. Consumers expect fresh, high-quality, locally sourced options, even when they’re on the go. The Best Food to Go category at the 2025 LCN Awards celebrates the creativity and hard work of businesses that are changing fast, accessible dining.”

With increasingly busy lifestyles, businesses are meeting the demand by offering creative menus, sustainable practices, and exceptional customer service. The Best Food to Go category will spotlight the businesses that have excelled in these areas. This includes those pushing the envelope with sustainable packaging, creating new ways to cater to dietary needs, and integrating technology to make ordering even more seamless.

The LCN Awards are a long-established benchmark for excellence in Northern Ireland’s hospitality and leisure industries. Over 500 industry professionals will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast, on 6th June 2025. The Best Food to Go category is one of the most exciting new additions to this year’s event.

This year’s LCN Awards will celebrate the top innovations in convenience dining, from premium takeaway meals to eco-conscious packaging and modern delivery solutions. Be it artisan sandwiches, gourmet coffee, international street food, or traditional comfort foods, our goal is to acknowledge and reward the incredible achievements and contributions of these businesses, which make Northern Ireland’s food scene diverse, vibrant, and truly exceptional!