info@irishfoodawards.com087 902 9329
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS Feed

Blas na hEireann

The Irish Food Awards

  • Awards
    • About Blas
    • The Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Supporters & Sponsors
      • GS1 proudly support Blas
      • Backyard
  • News
  • Winners
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • The Blas team
  • FAQs
    • Key Dates
  • Producers Map
  • Listen to PodBLASt

Donegal

April 19, 2021 by Irish Food Awards

Remember, a simple message in these unusual times….
eat well, support local producers and buy Irish food

We are delighted to be working with Donegal LEO to support this year’s Best in Donegal.

“Over the years, Donegal food businesses have enjoyed great success at Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, and it’s a great celebration of the best in the business,” said Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise Donegal. “Developing the Donegal food story is a key focus for Local Enterprise Office Donegal and our Food Coast Donegal initiative aims to support, celebrate and grow the food sector in the county. Donegal benefits from an abundance of locally sourced ingredients, from the finest fish and meats to fresh homegrown vegetables. It’s an exciting time for food in the county and while we’ve always been known for our stunning landscape now the food that comes from that landscape is getting the recognition it deserves. Feedback from staycationers last summer consistently mentioned the quality and value of the Donegal food experience and we look forward to building on that tradition.”

This year, as always, every entry will be eligible for the Best in County award, which is awarded to the highest scoring product from that county.

Donegal winners and finalists in 2020 included Aran Ard Teo, Atlantic Treasures, Donegal Rapeseed, Filligans, Green pastures, The Shack & Wild Fischia bakehouse. You can find more details on finalists & winners here

“The last 12 months have been like no other in the history of Blas na hÉireann,” says Chairman Artie Clifford. “We could never have imagined what lay ahead when we launched last year’s awards. It is testament to our team, our partners in UCC, IT Tralee and TU Dublin, our sponsors, the resilience and innovation of our amazing producers and our wider Blas community that we were able to announce our 2020 winners in a virtual celebration last October. It is with this experience under our belt that we can confidently launch Blas 2021 – knowing that no matter what, we will celebrate the very finest Irish food and drink in the best way possible.”

These are exceptionally rigorously-judged awards, as Blas na hÉireann use an innovative blind-tasting judging system developed by Blas with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide. Last year, these systems were successfully moved from the campus in UCC to Dingle to work within constraints of lockdown and travel restrictions.

“2020 was an incredibly difficult year,” says Blas na hÉireann Chairman Artie Clifford. “With businesses pushed to the brink, the closure of the hospitality sector left many producers without some of their key accounts. However, with many producers pivoting their business quickly and the general public getting far more interested in the quality of the food in their basket and on their plate, there were deep ties made between communities and their local producers. Our goal is to build on this and ensure that when restaurants reopen, the ties made between the public and these products remains.

So whether a new business has flourished over the past 12 months or an existing product is being used in a brand new way, a Blas na hÉireann gold stamp of approval could see it reach new heights and, most importantly, new customers.

You can watch a video of our 2020 judging here 
2020 – Response to challenges & restrictions, how we judged

Find out more about the awards & enter online

2021 Press Coverage

Donegal Democrat – 23rd April 2021

Filed Under: Featured

Latest Tweets

  • Are you ready for judging next week? Here's a few tips to prepare #Blas2022 https://t.co/sjoIPBfaaI https://t.co/hVKTgcQ1ZF June 24, 2022 10:11 am
  • Entries for this year’s awards close this Fri 20th May #Blas2022 https://t.co/oZfIifi64O https://t.co/khDDmBHmfS May 17, 2022 8:20 am
  • This has been a good start to the day! We have been keeping it under wraps but this morning we were honoured to pre… https://t.co/OOXFwQOLUi May 12, 2022 10:36 am
  • Our Twitter Page

About Us

Blas na hEireann

Celebrating and rewarding the very best tasting Irish food and drink products, and the passionate, driven producers who make it.

More Info

Contact Us

General Enquries
Email: info@irishfoodawards.com
Tel: 087 902 9329

PR Enquries
Email: pr@irishfoodawards.com
Event Enquries
Email: events@irishfoodawards.com

Latest News

Shared deliveries for Blas…

May 26, 2022 By Irish Food Awards

There are a very busy few weeks coming up as we prepare for initial judging with locations in Dublin & …

Producers’ Champion for 2022 is announced as Indie Füde

May 11, 2022 By Irish Food Awards

Indie Füde, Independent Food Co. in Belfast has been named as Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion for 2022 with business …

Latest Tweets

  • Are you ready for judging next week? Here's a few tips to prepare #Blas2022 https://t.co/sjoIPBfaaI https://t.co/hVKTgcQ1ZF June 24, 2022 10:11 am
  • Entries for this year’s awards close this Fri 20th May #Blas2022 https://t.co/oZfIifi64O https://t.co/khDDmBHmfS May 17, 2022 8:20 am
  • This has been a good start to the day! We have been keeping it under wraps but this morning we were honoured to pre… https://t.co/OOXFwQOLUi May 12, 2022 10:36 am
  • Our Twitter Page

Subscribe to Newsletter

Search our site

Share Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS Feed
  • Home
  • Contact

© 2006–2022 Blás na hÉireann Dingle, Co. Chiarraí

Send Irish Food Awards an Enquiry

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Message

    Search our website…

    Search our Forum

    Scroll