Following a champagne reception, we are given words of wisdom: Denis Brosnan, managing director of the Kerry Group, says "it's easier outside of Ireland". As he accepts the Person of the Year 2001 award from Checkout Ireland, he encourages grocers and all of those in the grocery industry to branch out and "go to the land of opportunity, to South America, to Brazil, to Argentina. It's far easier there. There's no problem in mastering what's overseas." At home, he says, it's tougher.
Everyone is happy in the Conrad Hotel, where the winners are announced. The grocery trade awards, which have been running for nearly 20 years, are presented to the best in 12 different categories. Melanie Lyons, who promotes the health drink, Kombucha, is perfectly attired in grey and fuchsia silk for the evening reception. She's pleased that Brosnan, a neighbour of hers in Listowel, Co Kerry, is Checkout Ireland person of the year.
As the chicken, prawn and sausage bites go around, the winners mingle, swopping business cards and pleasantries. Picking up an award is advertiser Sean Hynes from Bates Ireland, whose add for Aspro Clear for women's pains brings the biggest belly-laugh from the packed ballroom. The man in the poster, says Hynes, is "a barlounge type, an illustration of a typical women's pain". Say no more.