Lots of you have asked about a mini treat box and we are delighted to let you know that you can now order a Little Blas Box, a little treat of coffee and handmade chocolates from 2 of this year’s Gold Award winners. The little parcel of treats includes Velo Coffee from Cork and Clotilde’s Handmade Boozy Truffles from Co. Sligo. The little Blas Box is €20 which includes postage to anywhere in Ireland – Place your order here

Find out more about Blas Boxes here

The very first Blas Box will be released in time for Christmas gifts this year. It will bring together a selection of the very best of Irish food and drinks which have been stand outs for the judges in the past couple of years.

As this is the very first time we are creating a Blas Box it is a very limited edition. This Blas Box has now sold out
Full details on what is included in our full Blas Box below but first….

We have also had enquiries for a smaller little treat and we are delighted to let you know that you can now order a Little Blas Box, a little treat of coffee and handmade chocolates from 2 of this year’s Gold Award winners. The little parcel of treats includes Velo Coffee from Cork and Clotilde’s Handmade Boozy Truffles from Co. Sligo. The little Blas Box is €20 which includes postage to anywhere in Ireland – click here to order your box

Important things to know….
Blas Box is €110 per box which includes delivery to anywhere in Ireland

The delicious selection, chosen specifically for your Christmas larder is as follows;

Drinks
Five Farms Cream Liqueur (Cork) Gold 2020
plus a tasting sample of Dingle Gin and Longueville House Apple Brandy
plus Orange & Cranberry Cordial – Naturally Cordial (Wexford)

Hot Drinks
Velo Coffee (Cork) Gold 2020
McEntee’s Irish Afternoon Tea (Louth) Gold 2020
Refuge Hot Chocolate (Antrim) Gold & Best Artisan 2018

Sweet
Gooseberry Marmalade – Wild About (Wexford) Gold 2020
Chocolate Biscuit Cake – The Cupcake Bloke (Dublin) Gold 2020
Handmade Sweets – SeaSugar (Antrim) Gold 2020
Salted Caramel Butter Fudge – Mella’s Fudge (Cork) Silver 2019
Single Origin Milk Chocolate with Caramel Sprinkles & Sea Salt – Rhoda Cocoa (Wicklow) Gold 2020

Savoury
(Includes short recipes and suggestions on what to pair with)

Guinness Sticky Onion Marmalade – The Scullery (Tipperary) Gold 2020
The Lodge Barna Mustard – The Lodge Barna (Galway) Bronze 2020
Red Jalapeno Jelly – A Bit on the Side (Meath) Gold 2019
Za’atar Lavosh Flatbreads – Mezze (Waterford) Gold 2020
Joe’s Farm Beetroot Crisps – Joe’s Farm (Cork) Bronze 2020

Would you like to reserve one of these limited edition boxes?
Email us to info@irishfoodawards.com

Results will be announced online on Saturday 3rd Oct
The will be shared on here

You can check the timings below either alphabetically by category or by session timings

Alphabetically by category
Alcoholic Drinks – Ale	3.30pm
Alcoholic Drinks – Beer & Lager	3.30pm
Alcoholic Drinks – Cider Medium / Dry	3.30pm
Alcoholic Drinks – Cider Sweet	3.30pm
Alcoholic Drinks – Fermented	3.30pm
Alcoholic Drinks – Porter & Stout	3.30pm
Alcoholic Drinks – Special (such as sparkling)	3.30pm
Baby Food	1.30pm
Bacon – Rashers Green	12noon
Bacon – Rashers Smoked	12noon
Bacon Other	12noon
Bacon Sweet	12noon
Beef – Burger Style	12noon
Beef – Fillet	12noon
Beef – Other	12noon
Beef – Ribeye	12noon
Beef – Roast	12noon
Beef – Striploin / Sirloin	12noon
Beef Bone In	12noon
Biscuits	2pm
Bread – Craft Bakers Soda Bread	2pm
Bread – Craft Bakers Yeast Bread	2pm
Bread – Packaged Bread	2pm
Bread – Sourdough	2pm
Cakes – Chocolate	2pm
Cakes – Other	2pm
Cakes, Pies, Crumbles, Other	2pm
Cheese – Blue	12.30pm
Cheese – Goats Cheese	12.30pm
Cheese – Hard	12.30pm
Cheese – Hard ( Added Flavour)	12.30pm
Cheese Soft & Semi Soft	12.30pm
Chef’s Larder	5pm
Chicken, Added Flavour	12noon
Chocolate – Individual Chocolates	2.30pm
Chocolate Bars	2.30pm
Chocolate Biscuit Cake	2pm
Chocolate Collections	2.30pm
Chutney	3pm
Confectionery	2.30pm
Conserve	2.30pm
Continental Style Breads – Including Brioche, Ciabatta, Focaccia, Bagels	2pm
Cured Meat, Charcuterie	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie Beef	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie Ham	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie Poultry	12noon
Dairy – Butter	12.30pm
Dairy – Butter – Flavoured	12.30pm
Dairy – Cream	12.30pm
Dairy – Cream Fermented	12.30pm
Dairy – Milk	12.30pm
Dairy – Milk (Other)	12.30pm
Dairy – Yoghurt (Flavoured)	12.30pm
Dairy – Yogurt (Plain)	12.30pm
Dairy Milk (Flavoured)	12.30pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Baked Goods Sweet	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Bread	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Meat	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Other	2pm
Dressings	3pm
Granola	2.30pm
Honey	2.30pm
Hot Drinks – Coffee	2.30pm
Hot Drinks – Other Hot Drinks	2.30pm
Hot Drinks – Tea	2.30pm
Hummus	3pm
Ice Cream & Sorbets – Frozen Yogurts	12.30pm
Ice Cream & Sorbets – Ice Cream	12.30pm
Ice Cream & Sorbets – Sorbets	12.30pm
Jellies	3pm
Lamb	12noon
Lamb – Added Flavour	12noon
Marmalade	2.30pm
Morning Baked Goods – Baps & Floury Buns	2pm
Morning Baked Goods – Muffins & Other Morning Goods	2pm
Morning Baked Goods – Scones	2pm
Muesli, Porridge & Other Cereals	2.30pm
Mustard	3pm
Non Alcholic Drinks – Carbonated Drinks	3.30pm
Non Alcholic Drinks – Cordials	3.30pm
Non Alcholic Drinks – Fruit Based Juices	3.30pm
Non Alcholic Drinks – Veg Based Juices	3.30pm
Oils	3pm
Oils (Flavoured)	3pm
Other	12noon
Other Meats	12noon
Other Sweet Snacks	2pm
Pastries – Pastries (inc. Danish, Croissant, Pain Au Chocolate)	2pm
Pastries – Tarts	2pm
Pesto	3pm
Pickle	3pm
Popcorn Sweet	2.30pm
Pork	12noon
Poultry	12noon
Poultry – Chicken	12noon
Poultry – Duck & Goose	12noon
Poultry – Eggs	12noon
Poultry – Turkey	12noon
Preserve	2.30pm
Pudding – Black	12noon
Pudding – White	12noon
Puddings	2pm
Puddings & Desserts	2pm
Ready Meals & Meals Prepared Foods (Hot) – Dough Based (Veg)	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Meals Prepared Foods (Hot) – Sausage Rolls	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Fish	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Fruit based	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Meat	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Vegetarian	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Dough Based (with Meat or Fish)	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Fish	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Meat	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Potato	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Stuffing	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Vegetarian	1.30pm
Ready Mix Cakes & Breads	2pm
Relish	3pm
Salt	3pm
Salt (Flavoured)	3pm
Sauces (Egg based)	3pm
Sauces (Hot sauce)	3pm
Sauces (Other)	3pm
Sauces (Tomato Based)	3pm
Sausages – Flavoured Pork	12noon
Sausages – Other Meat	12noon
Sausages – Pork	12noon
Savoury Pies/Quiches	1.30pm
Savoury Snacks – Crisps	3.30pm
Savoury Snacks – Other	3.30pm
Seafood Products – Cold Smoked	1pm
Seafood Products – Hot Smoked	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Fish	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Shellfish	1pm
Seasonings	3pm
Soups & Chowders – Chowder	1.30pm
Soups & Chowders – Vegetarian	1.30pm
Spirits & Liqueurs – Cream Liqueurs	3.30pm
Spirits & Liqueurs – Dark Spirits & Liqueurs	3.30pm
Spirits & Liqueurs – White Spirits & Liqueurs	3.30pm
Spirits & Liqueurs with added mixers	3.30pm
Sweet Dough Goods – Sweet Buns	2pm
Sweet Dough Goods – Teabrack	2pm
Sweet Sauces & Dips	2.30pm
Sweet Spreads	2.30pm
Terrines/Paté – Meat	1pm
Terrines/Patés – Seafood & Vegetarian	1pm
Traditional Irish Yeast (Barm) Brack	2pm
Vinegars	3pm

Session by session…

Session 1 – 12 noon
Bacon – Rashers Green	12noon
Bacon – Rashers Smoked	12noon
Bacon Sweet	12noon
Bacon Other	12noon
Beef – Fillet	12noon
Beef – Striploin / Sirloin	12noon
Beef – Ribeye	12noon
Beef – Burger Style	12noon
Beef – Roast	12noon
Beef Bone In	12noon
Beef – Other	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie Beef	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie Ham	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie Poultry	12noon
Cured Meat, Charcuterie	12noon
Other	12noon
Lamb	12noon
Lamb – Added Flavour	12noon
Other Meats	12noon
Pork	12noon
Poultry – Chicken	12noon
Poultry	12noon
Chicken, Added Flavour	12noon
Poultry – Duck & Goose	12noon
Poultry – Turkey	12noon
Poultry – Eggs	12noon
Black Pudding	12noon
White Pudding	12noon
Pork Sausages	12noon
Flavoured Pork Sausages	12noon
Sausages – Other Meat	12noon
Session 2
Dairy – Butter	12.30pm
Dairy – Butter – Flavoured	12.30pm
Dairy – Cream	12.30pm
Dairy – Cream Fermented	12.30pm
Dairy – Milk	12.30pm
Dairy Milk (Flavoured)	12.30pm
Dairy – Milk (Other)	12.30pm
Dairy – Yogurt (Plain)	12.30pm
Dairy – Yoghurt (Flavoured)	12.30pm
Ice Cream & Sorbets – Ice Cream	12.30pm
Ice Cream & Sorbets – Sorbets	12.30pm
Ice Cream & Sorbets – Frozen Yogurts	12.30pm
Cheese – Blue	12.30pm
Cheese – Goats Cheese	12.30pm
Cheese – Hard	12.30pm
Cheese – Hard ( Added Flavour)	12.30pm
Cheese Soft & Semi Soft	12.30pm
Session 3
Seafood Products – Cold Smoked	1pm
Seafood Products – Hot Smoked	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Fish	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Shellfish	1pm
Terrines/Paté – Meat	1pm
Terrines/Patés – Seafood & Vegetarian	1pm
Session 4
Savoury Pies/Quiches	1.30pm
Soups & Chowders – Chowder	1.30pm
Soups & Chowders – Vegetarian	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Fish	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Meat	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Vegetarian	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Dough Based (with Meat or Fish)	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Meals Prepared Foods (Hot) – Dough Based (Veg)	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Meals Prepared Foods (Hot) – Sausage Rolls	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Stuffing	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot) – Potato	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Fish	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Meat	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Vegetarian	1.30pm
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Cold) – Fruit based	1.30pm
Baby Food	1.30pm
Session 5
Bread – Craft Bakers Soda Bread	2pm
Bread – Craft Bakers Yeast Bread	2pm
Bread – Sourdough	2pm
Bread – Packaged Bread	2pm
Traditional Irish Yeast (Barm) Brack	2pm
Sweet Dough Goods – Teabrack	2pm
Sweet Dough Goods – Sweet Buns	2pm
Morning Baked Goods – Scones	2pm
Morning Baked Goods – Baps & Floury Buns	2pm
Morning Baked Goods – Muffins & Other Morning Goods	2pm
Continental Style Breads – Including Brioche, Ciabatta, Focaccia, Bagels	2pm
Pastries – Pastries (inc. Danish, Croissant, Pain Au Chocolate)	2pm
Pastries – Tarts	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Bread	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Baked Goods Sweet	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Other	2pm
Dietary Specific Goods – Meat	2pm
Ready Mix Cakes & Breads	2pm
Puddings & Desserts	2pm
Cakes – Chocolate	2pm
Cakes – Other	2pm
Chocolate Biscuit Cake	2pm
Cakes, Pies, Crumbles, Other	2pm
Puddings	2pm
Biscuits	2pm
Other Sweet Snacks	2pm
Session 6
Popcorn Sweet	2.30pm
Chocolate Bars	2.30pm
Chocolate Collections	2.30pm
Chocolate – Individual Chocolates	2.30pm
Confectionery	2.30pm
Granola	2.30pm
Muesli, Porridge & Other Cereals	2.30pm
Conserve	2.30pm
Honey	2.30pm
Marmalade	2.30pm
Preserve	2.30pm
Sweet Spreads	2.30pm
Sweet Sauces & Dips	2.30pm
Coffee	2.30pm
Tea	2.30pm
Other Hot Drinks	2.30pm
Session 7
Chutney	3pm
Dressings	3pm
Hummus	3pm
Jellies	3pm
Mustard	3pm
Oils	3pm
Oils (Flavoured)	3pm
Pesto	3pm
Pickle	3pm
Relish	3pm
Salt	3pm
Salt (Flavoured)	3pm
Sauces (Egg based)	3pm
Sauces (Other)	3pm
Sauces (Tomato Based)	3pm
Sauces (Hot sauce)	3pm
Seasonings	3pm
Vinegars	3pm
Session 8
Crisps	3.30pm
Savoury Snacks Other	3.30pm
Carbonated Drinks	3.30pm
Cordials	3.30pm
Fruit Based Juices	3.30pm
Veg Based Juices	3.30pm
Cream Liqueurs	3.30pm
Dark Spirits & Liqueurs	3.30pm
White Spirits & Liqueurs	3.30pm
Spirits & Liqueurs with added mixers	3.30pm
Fermented Drinks	3.30pm
Ale	3.30pm
Beer & Lager	3.30pm
Porter & Stout	3.30pm
Cider Medium / Dry	3.30pm
Cider Sweet	3.30pm
Special (such as sparkling)	3.30pm
Chef’s Larder	5pm

One of the important elements of the awards is the beautiful glass from Dingle Crystal. Although we won’t be gathered together this year to present the glass to our winners we want to be sure that every winner for this year receives their award despite us not gathering together for the presentation.

For our winners, we are working to arrange to have the awards available for pick up in their county from the Monday following the awards.
This will differ county by county.

Bank of Ireland, our partners in The Blas Backyard have kindly offered to host the collection in their local branches, see current confirmed list below.

This will allow a few things;

Firstly, a space which is safe and accessible for collection

Secondly, we will be working with local press in each county to arrange to have a photo opportunity to capture the moment when a winning producer collects their award. It will present for our winners, where we can, an opportunity to have a presentation photograph taken.

Please note that some details are still being confirmed so check back here for final details

Please note on the times listed below – This is an ideal time to collect as local press has been invited at this time. You do not have to collect at this time, you can collect at a time that suits you, within the branch opening hours

Antrim	TBC	Awards will be co-ordinated with Invest NI
Armagh	TBC	Awards will be co-ordinated with Invest NI
Bray	Wednesday 7th @ 11am	Bank of Ireland Bray
CARLOW	Tuesday 6th @ 3pm	Bank of Ireland Carlow
CAVAN	Monday 5th @ 11am	Bank of Ireland Cavan
CLARE	Tuesday 6th @10. 30am	Bank of Ireland Ennis
Cork – Bandon	Tuesday 6th @ 2.30pm	Bank of Ireland Bandon
Cork – Clonakilty	Tuesday 6th @ 1.30pm	Bank of Ireland Clonakilty
Cork – Fermoy	Tuesday 6th @ 11am	Bank of Ireland Fermoy
Cork – Midleton	Wednesday 7th @ 11.30am	Bank of Ireland Midleton
Cork – Patrick St	Staggered times to be advised	Bank of Ireland Patrick’s St
Derry	TBC	Awards will be co-ordinated with Invest NI
DONEGAL		Awards will be delivered to winners with An Post
Down	TBC	Awards will be co-ordinated with Invest NI
Dublin		Awards will be delivered to winners with An Post
Fermanagh	TBC	Awards will be co-ordinated with Invest NI
GALWAY	Monday 5th @ 2pm	Bank of Ireland Eyre Square
KERRY	Monday 5th @ 11.30	Bank of Ireland Killarney
KILDARE	Monday 5th @12.30pm	Bank of Ireland Naas
KILKENNY	Tuesday 6th @ 10.30am	Bank of Ireland Kilenny
LAOIS	Wednesday 7th @ 12.30pm	Bank of Ireland Portlaois
LEITRIM	Monday 5th @ 1.30pm	Bank of Ireland Carrick-on-Shannon
LIMERICK	Tuesday 6th @ 11.30am	Bank of Ireland O’Connell St
LONGFORD	Monday 5th @ 2.30pm	Bank of Ireland Longford
LOUTH	Wednesday 7th @ 1pm	Bank of Ireland Drogheda (Laurence St)
MAYO	Wednesday 7th @ 1.30pm	Bank of Ireland Castlebar
MEATH	Wednesday 7th @ 2pm	Bank of Ireland Trim
MONAGHAN	Tuesday 6th @ 2pm	Bank of Ireland Monaghan
OFFALY	Tuesday 6th @ 2.30pm	Bank of Ireland Tullamore
ROSCOMMON	Wednesday 7th @ 2.30pm	Bank of Ireland Roscommon
SLIGO	Wednesdau 7th @ 3pm	Bank of Ireland Sligo
TIPPERARY	Monday 5th @ 3pm	Bank of Ireland Clonmel
Tyrone	TBC	Awards will be co-ordinated with Invest NI
WATERFORD	Tuesday 6th @ 12noon	Bank of Ireland Waterford (Quay’s)
WESTMEATH	Monday 5th @ 12noon	Bank of Ireland Mullingar
WEXFORD	Wednesday 7th @ 10.30am	Bank of Ireland Wexford

Our team have been working tirelessly since March to make sure that Blas 2020 goes ahead and that we maintain our commitment to celebrating the very best in Irish food and drink. We feel that now, more than ever it is essential to shine a spotlight and give that all important clap on the back to the talented producers dotted around the island.

The event in Dingle will not take place this year as the safety of our team, our incredible volunteers from UCC, CIT, GMIT, IT Tralee and TU Dublin, our judges and our community here in Dingle is our top priority.

Throughout this year we have carefully watched the evolving situation and while we have always hoped to bring everyone together we have also planned for alternative arrangements.

As always, we have done everything with producers in mind.

Judging

Our summer judging has now taken place. Faced with the restrictions around college campuses still in place and under the watchful eye of our academic director Professor Joe Kerry of UCC we relocated our judging to Dingle, ensuring the judging was handled with the same care and attention as always.

We had hoped to have a finalist judging take place in Dingle in early October as per previous years and while we hoped for this we planned for restrictions to remain in place.

After the initial first round of judging we put the top scoring products from a number of categories through a second round of tasting, both in Dingle and at satellite venues across the country. In conjunction with UCC we studied these results and found that our results based on two entirely separate panels returned the same rankings.

The Blas na hÉireann 2020 results will be based on our summer judging sessions and will be announced as follows;

Producers will be notified by email, as always, if they have reached the finalist stage. These emails will be sent in the coming days and, as always, every producer who has taken part will receive an update on their entry.

Those in the finalist stage can promote their achievements between now and the awards being announced in October.

The awards will be announced online on Saturday 3^rd October.

October – Producer Showcase, The Backyard and Awards

We are proud of the Blas na hEireann events we have created in Dingle each year in October and the visibility these give to producers over the course of the weekend. We know that they are an important part of the Blas experience.

The Blas Producer Showcase, while we may not be able to recreate the physical shop floor display we will be working to put the spotlight on each producer and their finalist products, bringing them to the attention of the buyers in an alternative format.

Due to the success of our virtual Backyard events in April, and the fact that the Backyard has become a very important aspect of the Blas weekend, we plan to facilitate a series of Backyard events online this year and we will work on an exciting and informative programme that reflects the times we are living in and the specific challenges producers and buyers are facing. 

More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

For the awards themselves, we will be announcing the winners over the course of the day on October 3^rd on our website and social media channels and while we will miss gathering collectively to cheer on colleagues and friends, we will make up for it by ensuring that #Blas2020 trends all day!

And we would ask that everyone get involved in the online celebration. 

We did not make this decision lightly and we are confident that we have made the correct call by cancelling the Blas nah Eireann events in October. We hope you understand and support the new format that we have developed to ensure that the Blas na hÉireann 2020 awards are announced and celebrated.

Please get in touch with us if you have questions. You can reach Fallon or Artie by phone on the numbers below or by email on info@irishfoodawards.com

Fallon — 087 9029329

Artie — 087 2026420

Find more details on finalist info here

Are you passionate about developing a food business?

UCC are now taking applications for the next cycle of UCC’s part-time Diploma in Speciality Food Production.

Past participants have described this course as invaluable and would strongly recommend it to those starting or developing artisan and speciality food businesses. Many graduates have gone on to develop successful food enterprises.

The diploma starts in October 2020 and will run on a part-time basis until May 2021. The programme is typically delivered over two days, every three weeks, and consists of lectures in conjunction with practical’s, case studies, site visits and workshops. NOTE: Due to current COVID 19 restrictions, it may be necessary to deliver part, or all of entire programme using a suite of on-line tools.

The fee for the diploma is €2800 and funding (64% of the fee) is available for eligible applicants.

An application form and more information can be obtained from Dr Angela Sheehan, Programme Manager, a.sheehan@ucc.ie or by visiting www.ucc.ie/en/fitu.

We at Blas na hÉireann fully support the decision by The Dingle Food Festival to cancel this year’s event, it is important to consider the safety of the community and the many festival-goers who visit Dingle each October.
You can find more details from The Dingle Food Festival here.

In the Blas office, since March we have been monitoring the situation closely and working tirelessly in the background to ensure that the awards go ahead, albeit in a new format.

The events will not take place in Dingle. We will be announcing the awards in a new format and continue to create maximum impact for our finalists with exposure to buyers and press, finding new ways of connecting and networking.

We are in the final stages of our new 2020 plan and will share all the details in the coming days. Rest assured, we will be announcing a Blas Class of 2020 in October

You can find more details on current judging here

Questions? You can reach us on info@irishfoodawards.com

We have had to make some changes to our judging dates and locations in line with current restrictions. 

We have been working on the details and our judging is currently set to take place in various locations throughout the summer, beginning in Dingle in July. You can find the details here, dates & locations 
You can find details on number of samples and how to prepare, here.

The Blas judging is a blind tasting and, as part of this, our judges always have an element of separation so as there is no conferring. Therefore we are able to implement social distancing measures for judging.

We are working with TU Dublin and UCC as always in the new venues and there are a few things we would note, 

We have made changes to the dates and venues to remain in line with restrictions and to allow for greater distancing measures.

We will be asking producers to be especially mindful of deliveries and to use courier or postal delivery where possible. In the case of large single deliveries from one producer, we will work with you to confirm an agreed delivery date and time.

This judging is the most critical part of our work. We have always worked to ensure that this stage is rigorously and fairly organised, that each entry is handled with care and just as the producer themselves would handle and present it. We will continue to maintain these standards while also adhering to Government guidelines around Covid-19.

October – The Awards
Our events in October are a wonderful celebration of Irish food and drinks and we love getting everyone together in Dingle. We will be closely monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis and are already mapping out alternative plans should social distancing measures still be in place at that time.

There will be Blas na hÉireann awards announced this year. We feel that now, more than ever, it is vital to highlight the very best of Irish produce and to recognise our producers who are making outstanding Irish food and drink.

Producers have consistently told us that having an award has a measurable impact on business and for this reason we are committed to ensuring that there will be a Blas Class of 2020. If we need to adjust our format to comply with the best Government and Public Health recommendations, we will do so and communicate this immediately with our producers.

Please get in touch with us if you have questions. You can reach Fallon or Artie by phone on the numbers below or by email on info@irishfoodawards.com

Fallon — 087 9029329
Artie — 087 2026420

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. Please check these on your delivery label and you can also find them here
   
2. Particularly for this year we are asking to keep deliveries simple and we are asking producers to be especially mindful of deliveries and to use courier or postal delivery where possible. 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
   
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