We are looking for your local heroes! The person or people you feel are doing the most to promote and support Irish food for our ‘Producers Champion Award’

Since 2014, a champion of Irish food has been voted for by producers and past winners include Neven Maguire, John & Sally McKenna, Shane McArdle and Jess Murphy. In 2020 Innovators, educators and Irish food ambassadors, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen were voted Blas na hÉireann 2020 Producers’ Champions. 

Over the past year we have seen just how important local support is, this year we are asking you to let us know who you think should be recognised. 

You can name anyone (person or people) who is working hard on behalf of Irish food, particularly on the ground supporting producers locally. They can be the unsung heroes of the food industry, members of your local community or an inspirational chef. We want to know who is important to food producers across the country and why.

It just take a minute to complete the form, once you know who you would like to nominate (you can nominate up to 3)

Make your suggestions

Clodagh Kerry, Placement Manager in UCC for the BSc Food Science https://www.ucc.ie/en/ck505/ and BSc Nutritional Science https://www.ucc.ie/en/ck504/ has been in touch with us.

Clodagh is currently seeking placement opportunities from the 22^nd March until the end of August.

For more details you can contact Clodagh Kerry on 086 8532060.

Clodagh Kerr, Work Placement Manager
c.kerr@ucc.ie

Rosemary from Tullahay Farm featured in Irish Country Living magazine

Upcoming Ask Me Anything with Retail Buyer Malachy O’Connor is now live for registration here

Taste4Success – new course for microbreweries, training in place – Registration here

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

Update – these have now sold out

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. You can contact us on info@irishfoodawards.com with questions

The Blas Box – full details below

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 na hEireann 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.