Starting off as a lock down project (like many more of our Blas winners), Fraser & Orla have channeled their love for food, flavours and all things condiments into creating an award winning food business.
From winning Best Takeaway in Ireland at the Just Eat Awards, as well as bringing home an incredible seven awards from Blas na hÉireann 2024, Birdhouse are undeniably good at what they do.
Birdhouse won 2 bronze, 2 silver, 1 gold, Best in Galway, and Best in Connaught for 2024.
At Blas, the awards are based on blind tasting. Our judges review solely on the food and drink they are tasting. They don’t know who has made it or where it is coming from. This blind element is a key part of our judging to allow a level playing field for all. However once the judging is done we love nothing more than learning all about the producers just like Fraser & Orla at Birdhouse
When & Why did you start your business?
The idea for Birdhouse was born during the lock-down in late 2020, inspired by a shared love of wings and sauces. With some extra time on our hands, we began making sauces in our home kitchen and selling them to friends and family. The venture quickly grew, and by April 2021, we got into our first shop.
Our journey actually started earlier while working at a roadhouse in the Northern Territory, Australia, where we grew chilies and experimented with making chili sauces. As passionate hot sauce and flavor enthusiasts, we’ve been driven by our love for bold, creative tastes.
Who is your food inspiration?
It’s less about who we are and more about the experiences we gained while traveling and collaborating with creative, like-minded chefs.
What do you love about your job?
What we love most about our job is seeing the results of hard work pay off, especially through the positive feedback we receive about our food and products.
What is your typical day?
Our days often start early with breakfast and time with our 1.5-year-old, Luan. After dropping him off at crèche, Orla and I make it a point to have a morning coffee date before diving into the day.
Mondays and Tuesdays are dedicated to bottling, labeling, fulfilling orders, and handling local deliveries. With two food outlets in addition to managing the sauce business, the rest of the week can be quite unpredictable.
What was your best day since you started your business?
We’ve been fortunate to achieve many milestones since starting our journey, but a few stand out. We were honored to win Best Takeaway in Ireland at the Just Eat Awards, and this year, we brought home an incredible seven awards from Blas na hÉireann.
These included 2 bronze, 2 silver, 1 gold, Best in Galway, and Best in Connaught – a recognition that truly took us by surprise and made us immensely proud.
Where do your ingredients come from?
Our produce varies with the seasons and comes from a variety of sources, including Tribal Foods, Terryland Fruit and Veg Shop, and Orla’s father, Tom, who grows chilies, peppers, and tomatoes in his polytunnel in Donegal.
Tell us about the people you work with?
We couldn’t have done it without the incredible people around us, both past and present. Their support and encouragement have been invaluable to our journey.
A special shout-out goes to Marie, Birdhouse’s very own Sauce Queen, who has been with us from the very beginning.
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself/your business?
Growing, flavour-packed, versatile
What do you think is the key to success?
Combination of passion, hard work, adaptability, being able to roll with the punches. Building strong relationships, continuously learning, and remaining committed to quality also play a crucial role. Most importantly, perseverance and the ability to embrace challenges can make all the difference.
Has there been one single moment which has changed how you look at your business?
There isn’t a single standout moment, but each award motivates us to strive for more and do even better in the year ahead.