Almost 40 Cork producers recognised at Blas na hÉireann awards 

Almost 40 Cork producers picked up awards at the Blas na hÉireann 2023 awards which were held in Dingle this week. 

The three-day celebration, which took place from September 28 to 30,  paid homage to the best of Irish food and drink. 

Now in its 16th year, Blas na hÉireann saw the highest number of entries with almost 3,000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time.

Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.

39 producers in Cork secured awards namely;

Alternative Christmas Pudding Company, Andrea's Kitchen, Bantry Bay Seafoods, Bó Rua Farm, Carbery Group, Clóna Dairy Products Ltd., Other winners include Clonakilty Gluten Free Kitchen, Coolmore Foods, Folláin, Gloun Cross Dairy, Hassetts Bakers & Confectioners ltd., Irish Yogurts Ltd, Keohane Seafoods, Kepak Cork and Kinsale Mead Co, Kinsale Spirit, Leahys Open farm, Macroom Buffalo Cheese Products Ltd (Best in County), Malay Kitchen, McCarthy's of Kanturk, Niamh's Larder, North Cork co-op, North Cork Creameries, Nua Asador, O'Callaghan's Cafe and Deli Ltd, O'Leary's Family Butchers and On The Pigs Back, Original 7 Beverage Co, Sage Restaurant, Secret Recipe Limited, Shannonvale, Silver Pail Dairy, Stonewell Cider & Nohoval Apple Wine, The Sibly Food Company, Tom Durcan Meats Ltd, Toons Bridge Dairy, Walls Chips, West Cork Distillers and Ardsallagh Goat's Cheese.

Commenting on the awards, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said: ”Looking back on 16 years of Blas, it’s fantastic to see the standard of food and drink in Ireland go from strength-to-strength year on year. It’s a real privilege for myself and the whole Blas family to bring these products, and the amazing producers who make them, to a much wider audience.” 

Blas na hÉireann 2023 saw the return of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day tent where the 2023 finalists got the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.