51 food producers from Cork head to Irish Food Awards

THE finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, 2023, have been announced and the countdown is on for the return of the awards weekend to the pretty seaside town of Dingle.

The three-day event will take place from Thursday, September 28 to Saturday, September 30, and always guarantees an enthusiastic crowd of foodies and food producers from across the country.

Last year’s awards weekend saw a much-welcomed in-person reunion for the first time in two years. In that time, the Blas team has never stopped championing the best of Irish food, working hard to provide ever more innovative ways for their award winners to engage with consumers and representatives from the retail and hospitality trades.

Now in its 16th year, Blas na hÉireann saw its highest entries from across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year.

Through June and July, more than 3,000 entries were judged, the highest on record. With the announcement of who has made the finalists, excitement is building as the big Blas weekender approaches for all involved to celebrate the very best of Irish.

“The Blas na hÉireann awards are the highlight of the year for Cork producers as they pit their produce against the best that this country has to offer.” said Joe Burke, Assistant Head of Enterprise, LEO South Cork.

“We are very fortunate to have such awards that provide consumers with reassurance of the quality and excellence of our producers. Cork producers are always well represented at Blas and receive many accolades and awards. We would like to complement the hard-working committee, judges, and sponsors of the awards, which, without them, would not be possible.”

The Cork Local Enterprise Offices (South, North/West & City) are glad to be one of the sponsors of the awards and wish Blas continued success.”

Fifty-one individual food producers from Cork alone will be flying the flag high once more for the county. As Ireland’s self-proclaimed Food Capital of Ireland, already enrobed in more artisan food producers than anywhere else in the country, producers here always do very well at the Blas awards.

But that doesn’t mean Cork can rest on its laurels!

What is heartening about this year’s Cork finalists is the real mix of traditional foods from time-honoured artisans, alongside more modern products from new food and drink companies – some of which have entered the awards this year for the first time.

Bluebell Falls Cheese and McCarthy’s of Kanturk in North Cork; Andrea’s Kitchen and Niamh’s Larder in East Cork; Second Street Bakeshop and Original 7 Beverage Co in the city, and Bantry Bay Seafoods and Spice o’ Life Ltd in West Cork, these are just some of the producers selected as finalists.

The competition is fierce, and the achieve-ment to get this far is already one to be very proud of and represent the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink.

That is a good news story for Irish food in and of itself, but there is something else happening: collaboration between food producers. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Blas organisers who have dubbed this next stage of how the industry is evolving as ‘Better Together’. Ultimately, when award-winners work together to create something new that speaks to each other’s strengths, it will only lead to the next level of fantastic things to eat.

Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said: “After last year’s success, we are thrilled to be back again. The Blas village and ‘Eat Ireland in a Day’ tents were a fantastic addition and created brilliant awareness for the finalists and winners to both the public and key industry people.

“Seeing so many new producers enter this year is testament to the fantastic produce Ireland has to offer and I am looking forward to celebrating past and new finalists and winners again this year.”

This year’s Blas na hÉireann awards in Dingle will see the return of last year’s new additions, including the Eat Ireland in a Day tent and the Blas Village, where the 2023 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

For finalist producers, it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle, but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded, making this autumn’s Blas na hÉireann a food event not to be missed!

To find out more about Blas na hÉireann, visit www.irishfoodawards.com.

The Awards weekend coincides with the annual Dingle Food Festival, turning the whole town into a food lovers’ paradise!