Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2025, the Irish Food Awards are open. Blas na hÉireann is the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink. Entries are open to producers across all categories of food and drink. There is also an opportunity for a producer to be awarded in every county with Best in Clare supported by Clare LEO.
“Clare has a proud tradition of high quality and fantastic food producers.” said Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise Clare. “Every year, Blas na hÉireann provides a platform to showcase the cream of Irish food producers and Local Enterprise Office Clare are delighted to partner with Blas na hÉireann to recognise the ‘Best in Clare’ at this year’s award ceremony. We look forward to celebrating with our food producers and recognising their success”.
Now in their 18th year, Blas na hÉireann is the largest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland, created to recognise and celebrate the very best of Irish food and drink. Entries are open from 17th March for producers across all categories, with the early bird discounted rate for entries running until 2nd April and the deadline for all entries being the 15th May.
“It’s an exciting time when we begin our annual process again,” says Artie Clifford, Blas na hÉireann Chairman. “Every year for the past 18 years we have gone into the competition looking forward to discovering new products and welcoming new producers participating, right across the island, and every year our expectations have been exceeded. With over 3,000 entries in 2024, this year’s bar has been set very high, but we have every confidence in the innovation, talents and commitment of our food producers, and no doubt there will be much to excite and delight in Blas na hÉireann 2025.”
The Blas awards are the biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, and the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide. The tasting takes place throughout June and July, building towards the biggest celebration of Irish food and its producers when the awards are presented in the Blas Village in Dingle in October.
Last year over 3,000 products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 170 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer. Winning at Blas makes a significant business difference to winners, with research showing that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition amongst Irish consumers. Seeing the award logo on packs guarantees shoppers a top quality Irish product.
Key dates for 2025
2nd April – Earlybird deadline
15th May – Deadline to enter www.irishfoodawards.com
June/July – Judging with UCC
Mid August – Finalists Notified
3rd October – Blas na hÉireann awards presented
(Blas Village with Networking, Showcase, Awards & Eat Ireland in a Day running from 3rd – 5th October)
A look back at 2024 Cavan winners
Did you know you can also find our finalists & winners in each county by searching our map, pinpointing the very best of Irish producers? Search the map here
The Best in Cork award at Blas na hÉireann is supported by Clare Local Enterprise Office
You can find details of Clare Local Enterprise Office here.
localenterprise@clarecoco.ie
065 6821616 or 087 4648402