About Us

The FreeFrom Food Awards Ireland are organised and administered by a highly dedicated team of food lovers, who have an in-depth and specialist knowledge of the FreeFrom Food marketplace.

Our goal is to recognise, encourage and reward the achievements of producers and the excellence of their products.

The FreeFrom Food Awards Ireland were founded by John Burke – a lifelong Coeliac and longtime judge of the FreeFrom Food Awards in the UK.

John is also a judge of the FreeFrom Eating Out Awards in the UK, The Irish Quality Food Awards ‘Q’ (FreeFrom category), The IQDrinkAs, The ICafeQFAs and The Allergy Blog Awards in the UK.

Entries Closed for 2017

Our Entrants

Media Partners

special award sponsor

"Juvela were delighted to be associated with the hugely successful inaugural Irish Freefrom Food Awards. The high quality and diverse range of entries in each category were very impressive. Our sponsorship of the award for Services to the Industry gives us the opportunity to highlight the input and dedication of people in the freefrom arena, where we ourselves have been a stalwart brand. For that reason we look forward to sponsorship of this award once again, in the FreeFrom Food Awards 2017."

Orla Kieran,

Sales & Marketing Manager Ireland

Meet Our Team

John Burke

Director

John Burke is the founder of the Irish FreeFrom Food Awards. He has been a judge at the FreeFrom Food Awards UK since 2010. He is passionate about the FreeFrom industry, having a personal reliance on FreeFrom foods. He wants to see the continuing growth of the Irish FreeFrom landscape and hopes the awards will encourage and recognise ongoing innovation.

Lisa Acton

Director

Being married to a coeliac, Lisa is delighted to be involved with the FreeFrom Food Awards, having cooked and baked with gluten-free products for over 24 years. With a background in Business Admin, she also brings extensive personal experience to the awards and a belief that FreeFrom producers should be recognised for their excellence.

Emma Clarke Conway

Awards Co-ordinator

As a lifelong coeliac, Emma brings a wealth of experience to her involvement as Awards Coordinator of the FreeFrom Food Awards Ireland, having worked in the Coeliac Society of Ireland for over 11 years. Emma established Express PR to provide PR services to small businesses and is also Development Officer for the Post Polio Support Group.

Deanna McIlhatton

Product Co-ordinator

With a background in retail and customer service, Deanna is used to meeting challenges. She will ensure that every product will reach the Judges' table in the manner in which the entrants intend, ensuring that each FreeFrom entry is showcased at its best. She is married with two children and is an avid cook and baker in her spare time.