This year’s Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion is Graham Herterich, 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.
Graham Herterich is an award-winning Irish baker, chef and author, known for his inventive take on traditional baking. Originally from Athy, Co. Kildare his passion for food began in childhood, growing up over the family pork butcher shop and baking with his Granny Flynn before training as a professional chef and later returning to baking as his true calling. In 2012, after being made redundant, he and his partner (now husband) Daithí Kelleher founded The Cupcake Bloke, starting with a market stall on Coppinger Row. Their nostalgic yet innovative approach—mixing classic Irish bakes with bold flavours—quickly built a loyal following, eventually leading to the opening of The Bakery in Rialto in 2018, now a destination for modern Irish baking and artisan produce.
Beyond the bakery, Graham continues to expand his culinary influence through ventures like Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience in Athy and through his award-winning work, including multiple Blas na hÉireann and Chef Ireland accolades. An accomplished author, he has published two cookbooks that reimagine traditional Irish recipes for contemporary audiences. His personal experiences, including living with dyslexia and ADHD, and time spent with the Carmelite order, inform his creative storytelling approach. Recently appointed to the advisory council for The Centre for Food Culture Ireland, Graham remains a passionate advocate for Irish food culture, supporting everything from heritage and tradition to local producers, and has become one of the country’s most recognisable voices in championing Irish cuisine. His A-Z of Irish producers on social media has been hugely popular in highlighting the exceptional produce across the island of Ireland too.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to be named this year’s Producers’ Champion at Blas na hÉireann,” said Graham Herterich. “Supporting and championing local producers has always been at the heart of everything I do, from the bakery to my wider work, so this recognition means a huge amount to me. Ireland has an incredible network of passionate, talented producers, and it’s a privilege to shine a light on their work and play even a small part in celebrating the quality and creativity of Irish food.”
“We are thrilled to announce Graham Herterich as this year’s Producers’ Champion,” said Artie Clifford, founder and Chairman of Blas na hÉireann. “His unwavering commitment to local Irish producers, combined with his creativity and deep respect for our food heritage really sets him apart. Graham consistently uses his platform to highlight the people and stories behind Ireland’s exceptional produce, and his passion has had a meaningful impact across the food community. With a number of Blas na hÉireann awards already to his name, we are delighted to add Producers’ Champion to that collection!”
Graham 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, Indie Füde’s Johnny McDowell and Laura Bradley, Kate Ryan, Conor Spacey, and last year’s winners Anthony O’Toole, Caroline Hennessey and Santina Kennedy.
Final call for entries to Blas na hÉireann 2026 – closing date is 14th May. For more details visit www.irishfoodawards.com
More info
This is the 19th year of Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, and last year saw their highest on record number of entries with nearly 3,000, many of which were entering the awards for the first time. Once producers have applied online to enter the awards, they will receive a label to send their product in for blind-tasting. Together with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, the team at Blas worked to develop a blind-tasting judging system that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide and the largest blind-tasting food awards on the island. Research has shown that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition among Irish consumers and having the award logo on products encourages shoppers to buy – it is a recognised guarantee of a top-quality Irish product.
