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 Limerick supported by Limerick LEO. 

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 Limerick winners…
Did you know you can also find our winners in each county by searching our map, pinpointing the very best of Irish producers? Search the map here

The Best in Limerick award at Blas na hÉireann is supported by Limerick LEO
You can find details of Limerick LEO here
localenterprise@limerick.ie

061 557499

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 Galway supported by Galway LEO.

“Galway is home to some of the most innovative and talented food producers in Ireland, known for their dedication to quality and creativity.” said Caroline McDonagh, Head of Enterprise, LEO Galway. “Local Enterprise Office are proud to sponsor the overall “Best in Galway” award at Blas na hÉireann 2025, the Irish Food Awards, to honour these outstanding contributors to our county wide food scene”

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 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 Galway 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 Galway award is supported by Galway LEO
You can find details of Galway Local Enterprise Office here
091 509090
info@leo.galwaycoco.ie

There are a few key details to check:

1. Check your delivery date and location. We have different dates & locations planned by category, these are crucial. You can check delivery dates & locations here.
   
2. Keep deliveries simple and we are asking producers to be especially mindful of deliveries and to use courier or postal delivery where possible & practical. In the case of large single deliveries from one producer, we will work with you to confirm an agreed delivery date and time.
   
3. Please note products should be delivered as they are presented in their packaging to the customer. 
   Our team will unpack and prepare for blind tasting.
   Please be sure to include your entry number on each sample as well as on the outer box
   Please complete your delivery form, a copy of which you can download here
   
4. 3 samples of each product entered are required  
   (In the case where your product is over 1 kilo in weight, please deliver 2 samples only)
   Remember, include your entry number on each sample please
   
5. Best Before date must be included with all deliveries and all entries should be delivered with maximum possible shelflife.
   
6. All chilled products should arrive at the correct temperature for storage and will be checked on delivery. You can find some helpful info on chilled delivery options here
   
7. Any products which do not adhere to the delivery terms or which are not delivered on time will be disqualified from the competition.

If you have questions just ask us
If you have different delivery dates or locations, we will make every effort to consolidate if we can, just ask us
If you are unsure about anything in the above, just ask us

Fallon – 087 9029329
Artie – 087 2026420
info@irishfoodawards.com

A few key dates we have spotted which might be of interest….

Going to IFEX? Artie will be joining the spotlight stage discussing Food Awards, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly alongside John Farrand, GTA, Daniela Morelli & Laura Bradley More details here

Local Enterprise Office Week is running from 4th March, there are lots of great training sessions and events happening right around Ireland, please check with your local office here

Lidl Kickstart applications close this Thursday 29th February – more info here

Musgrave Food Academy is open for applications from March 11th – April 15th – more info here

Taste4Success – Upcoming Training Programmes

Irish Food Trade Connect Forum, in Killashee House 21st March – more details

Savour a Decade of Delicious Dialogue: Sharon Noonan’s “Best Possible Taste” Podcast Celebrates exactly 10 years on air this Sunday 8 October 2023

The Best Possible Taste by Sharon Noonan celebrated 10 years on air on Sunday 8 October making it Ireland’s longest-running food and drink radio show and podcast and at this year’s Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards in Dingle, Co Kerry the radio presenter found herself in the guest’s chair being interviewed by chef and broadcaster Brian McDermott. 

When introducing Sharon, Brian said, “Here at the Blás na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards in Dingle, it takes a lot of people behind the scenes and the very individual we are going to celebrate, Sharon Noonan, was a part of making that happen.  Sharon is here celebrating 10 years of Best Possible Taste Podcast. I am celebrating one year of listening to podcasts,” he joked.

The Donegal chef paid tribute to Sharon’s remarkable ability to make her guests feel at ease and praised her for giving food and drink producers a platform to not only share their stories for the first time, but to also gain important media experience.  Brian’s sentiments were echoed by celebrity chef Neven Maguire who said, “Putting producers’ names out there on a podcast like Sharon’s and allowing them to share their stories is truly powerful and inspiring.”

Originally from Ballymena but now living in Newcastle West, Co Limerick Sharon signed up to do a training course with her local community radio station, West Limerick 102FM in 2013.  One of the outputs was to host a programme, which initially horrified Sharon as she was told during a school work experience stint in a radio station that her accent was not suited to the airwaves.  She was inspired to create “The Best Possible Taste” after a conversation with UK food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden.  However, it wasn’t until a chance meeting with Ballymena’s most famous man, Hollywood actor Liam Neeson, that Sharon forged ahead with her idea.

“In 2013 I was on holiday in the US visiting friends.  We were invited to a fundraiser for the Irish Arts Centre that was hosted by Liam Neeson.  When we were introduced, he told me he went to school with my dad’s cousin and I told him that I went to the school where his mum was the dinner lady.  During our conversation, I suddenly recalled sending him a fan letter to which he responded with a Christmas card depicting King Kong scaling the Empire State Building to put a star on top.  Inside he had written about the importance of following your dreams no matter what.”

The audience at the celebrations in Dingle included Sharon’s family and friends as well as former Best Possible Taste guests Sally McKenna from the acclaimed McKennas’ Guides, award-winning food writer and chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild, Caroline Hennessy and Kate Ryan, the 2023 Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Food Champion who said, “The best thing an interviewer can do is give someone the space to tell their story and Sharon does it incredibly well.”

Over the years, Sharon’s warm and engaging interviews have featured an impressive array of culinary experts, celebrity chefs, food and drink writers, artisan producers and food enthusiasts.  Listeners have enjoyed gaining insights into their journeys, philosophies, and, of course, their favourite recipes.  Her dedication to showcasing diverse voices has made the Best Possible Taste podcast a hub of inspiration for and celebration of those who are passionate about Irish food and drink.  With over 350 episodes available to listen to online (www.sharonnoonan.com), the radio station where Sharon did her school work experience must be eating their words now!

To take part and/or to listen to interviews with previous guests, please visit www.sharonnoonan.com