This year’s Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion is Conor Spacey, chosen for his dedication to championing the best of everything Irish, independent and sustainable.
The Producers’ Champion is selected annually by Blas na hÉireann producers, based on a survey that goes out to the entire Blas network — a network that covers every county in Ireland with producers from all across the food industry. Nominees for Producers’ Champion are put forward early in the year, when producers are asked to nominate those they believe are representing and supporting their produce and that of other Irish food makers and growers in an effective and helpful way.
Conor has been involved in the food industry for over 34 years, having worked across Ireland and the UK in bistros and bars, hotels, banqueting and fine dining. For the past eight years, he has been the Culinary Director of FoodSpace, an award-winning and sustainable on-site food service & hospitality management company, which has grown to over 20 locations throughout Ireland and the UK.
Conor has always had a passion for local and seasonal food, beginning with ensuring that all the food he was serving was grown, produced or farmed within a 50-mile radius of his kitchens. But this was just a starting point for him, as he delved deeper into making professional kitchens more environmentally friendly, removing and replacing unsustainable practices, and becoming one of the industry leaders in zero waste kitchens.
He recently collaborated with Chef’s Manifesto, a global network of chefs driving action for a sustainable food system, and with the United Nations on their sustainable development goals for the global food system. An advocate and speaker on sustainability, Conor published his first book, Wasted, in July last year and his latest project is building a first-of-its kind sustainable cookery school, farm and café in Gambia, creating a totally circular economy within the villages, training people in the hospitality industry, and creating employment across the entire food system.
“I am delighted to be announced as this year’s Producers’ Champion,” said Conor Spacey. “Food sustainability has become more than a passion of mine, it’s a way of life and it’s something I feel everyone can be doing, on a small or large scale. To be nominated by a group of food and drink producers who understand the importance of what I’m doing makes me even more proud to win this award. Thank you to all the producers and industry folk who strive to do better — this is what it’s all about.”
“We are thrilled to announce Conor Spacey as this year’s Producers’ Champion,” said Artie Clifford, founder and Chairman of Blas na hÉireann. “Conor has contributed to the food industry for many years and his passion is second to none. His determination to change the way we talk about food, consume it, and work with it, to leave our planet a better and happier one, is inspiring and something everyone in the food world should be working toward. And most importantly, he has shown it is possible. Congratulations to Conor on this extremely well-deserved award.”
Conor Spacey joins the exclusive Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champions roster that now includes Simon Coveney TD, Neven Maguire, John & Sally McKenna, Shane McArdle, Kai’s Jess Murphy, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell, Rachel Allen, Brian McDermott and last year’s winner Kate Ryan.
Final call for entries to Blas na hÉireann 2024 – closing date is 16th May. For more details visit www.irishfoodawards.com
