Blas 2024 is fast approaching and we are  planning lots of social events, speakers panels and of course our finalist showcase as we gather the finalist food and drink producers alongside the industry to celebrate the very best of Irish.

Below are the key dates and times for industry attendees. If you are a finalist for Blas 2024 please read the more detailed schedule for finalists here

Blas na hÉireann Showcase
From the 3rd October we will be opening a showcase of the best of the best of Irish food & drinks. Essentially the very best of Irish under one roof.

2024 has been a record year for entries with over 3000 submissions and we are excited to highlight the many new producers and new products which have made it to the finalist stage.

3rd October 
Private preview of showcase for buyers only – register your interest here

Products will be displayed and buyers will be allowed to browse in their own space. The format will allow you to browse the showcase and the Blas team will be on site to help with any questions. This evening we invite you to come along to a very special showcase of our 2024 finalists in the Blas Village. This open preview runs from 5pm with drinks and nibbles from 6pm in the Blas Village.
This event is by invite only, if you are interested in attending you must register your interest in advance 

Watch highlights from 2023 Buyers Showcase

Friday 4th October 
Along with the awards announcements there are a number of Blas na hÉireann events taking place today. Showcase open to producers, buyers, press as a networking venue throughout the day with 400+ finalist producers and awards are presented. We will be announcing winners in person and on line throughout the day.

Our Backyard at Blas, supported by Bank of Ireland, will also be running through this day and you can see our line up of conversations here

As a reminder…
The Backyard at Blas is a dedicated space to meet your colleagues in the food industry, gain knowledge and find support. This space is exclusively for our finalists, judges, buyers, trade and press. An exciting line-up of speakers will share their experiences throughout the weekend and it’s a great place to meet and catch up with people  Find out more

Saturday 5th October
The Showcase Marquee will be open again this morning, we will be displaying all of the finalists who have reached this stage in a shop-floor style event,  it is a great place to meet the people who are making the food 
 
The Dingle Food Festival will be taking place right throughout the weekend, with the taste trail happening Saturday & Sunday from 1pm – 5pm, market stalls lining the streets and cookery demos, workshops and lots if interesting events. The full schedule is to be announced but you can find details on www.dinglefood.com   

Would you like to join us in Dingle?
If you are interested in coming along as a buyer please register your interest here
Please note this is a registration of interest only, it does not confirm attendance at the event. Please let us know if you would like to come along and we will be in touch with more details

Watch highlights from the awards and networking event…

Find our 2024 Delivery Dates & Locations below

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

FREE BRANDING EVENT
Are you ready to dial up your food or drink brand? 🚀 

🌟 There is an exciting NEW BRANDING EVENT for Irish Food & Drink producers to Dial Up your Food Brand! This FREE EVENT is fully funded by Taste 4 Success Skillnet. and is designed by Annie Dunne of the art of GRATE food, in association with Blas na hÉireann. 

Join us for an educational day on unlocking the secrets of brand building to elevate your business.
Hear insights from industry experts, including brand specialist Pat Kinsley (founder of design agency Neworld), entrepreneur Richard Cullen (founder of the Jelly Bean Factory), marketing & communications specialist Sharon Noonan, and consumer insights expert Michelle Frawley of mykidstime

📅 DATE: 22 May 2024, 10.00am-2.30pm 
📍 VENUE: Bia Innovator Campus, Athenry / or you can join VIRTUALLY
🌐 Sign Up here t4s.ie/BrandBiteReg

This event is open to ALL Irish Food & Drink Producers. 

BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE! 

Attendees will have the chance to apply for the BrandBite Training Programme, receiving a comprehensive brand workshop, a full brand toolkit, new packaging design, and more!  The BrandBite Training Programme is significantly funded by Taste 4 Success Skillnet and Skillnet Ireland to support food/drink companies to build their food brand. T&C’s apply. 

Eligibility for the Training Programme is subject to the following criteria:

• Has attended Building Your Brand for Business Success on 22 May 
• Producer has been a Blas finalist or winner in the past 3 years 
•  Demonstrates a strong business case and ambition for growth 
• Is consciously working to help the climate, local community and/or has an ESG plan in place 
• Product is in a new or developing category 
• Product is produced in the Republic of Ireland 
• Participant is available for the 12 week duration of the programme (average 2-3 hours per week) 
• Participant agrees to contribute 25% of the programme fee (€4,997)

The Backyard on the Road was back again this Spring. As always it was a space to hear from industry experts, both in learning presentations and discussion panels and network with your fellow food & drink producers. This year’s sessions are focussed on the buying process….

Sessions covered…

• Understanding the Buying Process
• Distribution & Routes to Market
• New Product Development

Plus…

• Dealing with Buyers
• Research & Meeting preparation
• Negotiation & maintaining the relationship

Speakers will include our mentors Annie Dunne (The Art of Grate Food), Brian McDermott and Malachy O’Connor (Food First Consulting) who will be delivering presentations as well as chatting with panellists representing buyers from across the industry (retail & food service) including Aldi, Holland & Barrett, Lidl, Marks & Spencers, Odaios Foods, Sysco Foods, Tesco alongside Bank of Ireland and Bord Bia

Update…

This event has now taken place and was a sell out event. If you missed it on the day you can sign up to follow up content, to register to receive this content drop us a line to events@irishfoodawards.com