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

Graduate Development Programme for Agri-Food SMEs

The UCC Diploma in Management Practice & Leadership (Agriculture & Agri-Food) will provide SMEs with a tailored graduate programme, which will significantly enhance their current graduates’ skills, and help them to attract and retain the best young graduates.

Graduate training is now a vital part of the continuing professional development of young employees. While most of the larger organisations offer their own in-house training programmes, this is not a feasible option for the vast majority of Irelands SME sector, due to cost constraints. In response to this, Macra Agricultural Skillnet and University College Cork (UCC) have collaborated to offer an exceptional agri-focussed programme, which will deliver core management and leadership skills to graduates in this sector.

Leveraging the almost thirty years of experience gained from training young professionals via the Food Industry Training Unit in UCC, this course will be run by a dedicated, experienced and tested team including a dedicated Programme Manager and sector relevant expert Lecturers. The Diploma will be delivered in a series of ten two day workshops, commencing in Sept 2020, and running until May 2021.  The course will fit around the graduates’ full time roles, and will enable them to apply newly learned skills from the very first module.

For further Information please contact:

Deirdre Hilliard, Programme Manager, Food Industry Training Unit, School of Food & Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork   Email: d.hilliard@ucc.ie  Mob 086 3830011

The team at Bia Innovator campus have asked us to share details of this new opportunity, you can find more details on the role here.

Would you like to get involved and start your company’s diversity and inclusion journey today? We have been asked to share the below with our network.
Joining is simple, its free and its for all sized Irish Food and Drink companies just click on the link below to register with us. We carry out Masterclasses throughout the year for all members to assist and guide them in their business and would welcome you at our next virtual online one where we will be looking at how SMEs have managed through the covid-19 crisis and giving some helpful takeaways for all our members.

More about the…
The Agri-Food Diversity & Inclusion Forum is a collaborative initiative with industry, led by Bord Bia and Aon, in partnership with The 30% Club. Our task is to drive awareness and support the Irish food and drink industry on its diversity and inclusion journey; so that our sector is best positioned to compete and attract the best talent at all levels across our sector.

Effectively we are driving the business case for diversity and inclusion in the food and drink industry. The basic hypothesis is that a mix of experience, thought, background, capability and outlooks at all levels of an organisation drives better business results (and this fact is supported by a myriad of research). The current priority is to develop a framework to promote diversity and inclusion in the Irish Food, Agribusiness and Drinks sector, with an initial focus on gender balance. Our objective is to secure the future success of the Irish food and drink sector.  This can be done, in part through recognition that attracting the best talent depends on making current and future workers feel they are valued and that their contribution is recognised. As the agri-food sector competes with other sectors for the right people with relevant skillsets, it is clear that realising the ambitious growth projections for our sector is dependent on our success in this. We aim to equip food and drink companies with the knowledge and know-how to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace to attract and retain the best talent for our industry.

Register here

Our judging is currently set to take place in July in Cork with UCC and in August in Dublin, in partnership with TU Dublin,

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 on the details of this but please be aware of the following:

·        We may need to have some changes to judging dates and venues, potentially holding them over a longer time span 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

Innovators, educators and Irish food ambassadors, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen voted Blas na hÉireann 2020 Producers’ Champions

Every year, Blas na hÉireann surveys Irish producers asking them to nominate their Producers’ Champion for the year and in 2020, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen have been chosen collectively as the year’s joint Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champions.

Joining past Producers’ Champions and heroes of the Irish food industry like An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, Neven Maguire, John & Sally McKenna and Kai’s Jess Murphy, the 2020 Producers’ Champion honour is voted for by Irish food producers when asked who they feel is doing the most to support Irish food both at home and abroad.

There was a very clear theme from this year’s survey that reflected an appreciation of the late Mrs. Allen’s legacy at Ballymaloe and of Rory, Darina and Rachel, in their individual and collective roles, continuing that legacy as innovators, constant supporters of the best Irish ingredients and producers, and educators of the next generation of cooks and growers.

Darina Allen and her brother Rory O’Connell established Ballymaloe Cookery School in 1983, the world-famous cookery school on an organic farm which has been producing home chefs and professionals to be found in kitchens all over the world for over 37 years. Rachel Allen studied at Ballymaloe herself before joining the team as a teacher, and all three are key members of the core teaching team at the Cookery School.

All three are exceptional teachers and also cookbook writers and tireless ambassadors for Irish food both at home and abroad.  They are well respected voices on multiple aspects of the food from Slow Food and Farmers’ Markets to traditional techniques and sustainability issues.  Advocates of the importance of children learning how to grow and cook food.  They share their expertise through their many award-winning TV programmes.

Often dubbed the Oscars of Irish food, Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards is the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties, with judging taking place during June and July, finalists notified in August, and finalist judging in Dingle, the home of the awards, in October. With workshops and masterclasses in Dingle, final Blas na hÉireann 2020 awards will be presented alongside producer networking events during the Dingle Food Festival, always an unmissable event for food lovers.

“I know I speak for Rory and Rachel when I say we are thrilled to be announced as Blas na hÉireann 2020 Producers’ Champions.” said Darina Allen. “In this current global crisis, industry celebrations like Blas are needed now more than ever to highlight the great effort of our food community, the importance of good food and the many talented producers we are lucky to have on the island. People in the sector have been through tough times before and the resilience, ingenuity and hard work of Irish makers, growers and producers make them a force to be reckoned with. We look forward to being in Dingle in October to continue to celebrate and support all that is great in Irish food.”

“Our goal at Blas na hÉireann has always been to help Irish producers to tell their stories,” says Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann,

“something our three Producers’ Champions have been proudly doing themselves for many years. Their in-depth knowledge and showcasing of Irish products, producers and their narratives has helped bring valuable attention to the sector.

Winning a Blas award has a similar impact in marking a product or producer out as special and worth exploring and has been shown to work for our previous winners in bringing them to the attention of food-lovers both at home and abroad. We are looking forward to doing it all again for Blas na hÉireann 2020, in a time that has its own unique challenges, and we hope to welcome food lovers and our 2020 Producers’ Champions to Dingle in October.”

Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2020 are now open online at the discounted early bird fee of €60 per entry (ex VAT). The early bird discount has been extended to 30^th April. The full entry fee, applicable from 1^st May to 25th May is €75 per entry (ex VAT).

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Entries have been open online on www.irishfoodawards.com since the 17th of March. So far applications have been busy, with levels in line with previous years.

From talking to the producers in our network we know that many of you see the awards as a date to look forward to and a time to come together to celebrate the best of Irish food later in the year. 

We are also aware that many producers are under pressure at this time, whether operationally with busy production keeping shelves stocked or adapting to new ways of reaching your customers. To support producers at this time we are extending the early bird deadline for entries to 30th April. 

It is fortunate that at the moment  we are in an online stage of the Blas process, with first judging due to take place in the summer in late June and the remainder throughout July. We are working towards these dates and watching the situation closely, if any of our summer judging dates are affected we will be in touch with producers to advise of any rescheduling. 

We also ask that any individual producers with questions or concerns keep in touch with us to see how we can help. 

We hope this extension to early bird entries will help in these challenging times.  

Below are the details of local producers in Tipperary If you would like to be added to the list just let us know, info@irishfoodawards.com

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

A massive thank you to the team in the Tipperary Food Producers’ Network for their helpful updates https://www.tipperaryfoodproducers.ie/

Annie’s Organic Farm
Annie Dalton – Vegetables, Salad Leaves – www.anniesfarmtipperary.ie
Home delivery available and in store in Tipperary supermarkets

Ayle Farm Foods
Peter Randall – Jams, Chutneys, Granola – www.aylefoods.ie       
In local stores and direct order by phone 086 3680969                 

Boulaban Ice Cream
Michael Cantwell – Ice Cream – www.boulabanefarm.ie

Brookfield Farm
Ailbhe Gerrard – Honey, Lamb, Candles www.brookfield.farm Order online                            

Cashel Blue Cheese
Sara Furno – Cheese – www.cashelblue.com       
Available in stores and online ordering, plus the Tipperary Food group hamper can be ordered through here                  

Cooleeney Cheese
Breda Maher – Cheese – www.cooleeney.com   
Available in stores                        

Crossogue Preserves
Veronica Molloy – Jams, Marmalades, Chutneys, Curd & Jellies – www.crossoguepreserves.com  
Available in local shops and butchers, online ordering and home delivery available                          

Crowe’s Farm Pork         
TJ Crowe – Bacon – www.crowefarm.ie  
Online ordering and farm shop in Dundrum open                          

Derg Farmhouse Cheese             
Paddy and Kay Cooney – Cheese
www.dergfarmhousecheese.ie                              

Emerald Oils
Michael Corbett Rapeseed Oil – www.emeraldoils.ie        
Available in shops                        

Galtee Honey
Aoife Nic Giolla Coda – Honey – www.galteehoney.com
Available in local shops, online ordering and home delivery available                    

Hickey’s Bakery & Café 
Nuala Hickey – Breads, Bracks – www.hickeysbakery.com             
Available in Clonmel Bakery, local shops and online ordering                     

Inch House Pudding
Mairin Byrne – Puddings – www.inchhousepudding.ie
Available in local shops and butchers, home delivery (next day) available              

Irish Hedgerow Drinks
Julian & Helen Armitage – Elderflower Soft Drinks, Tonic, Water & Cordials – www.irish-hedgerow.ie Local & nationwide stockists on website plus option for ordering online (12 bottle case)                       

Irish Piedmontese Beef 
John Commins – Beef – https://irishpiedmontesebeef.ie/
Online ordering, home delivery and onsite pick up available                      

James Whelan Butchers
Pat Whelan – Meat – www.jameswhelanbutchers.com
Online ordering and home delivery as well as butchers open                     

Lisduff Fine Foods
Katie Tormey – Bacon – www.lisdufffoods.ie                                    

Longways Cider
James O’Donoghue – Cider – www.longwayscider.ie                                     

Mag’s Bakehouse           
Mags Bergin – Breads, Scones – www.magshomebaking.ie
Available in local stores              

Magners Egg Farm
Kylie Magner – Pasture Raised Eggs – www.magnersfarm.com
Online ordering & Home delivery available and in store in Tipperary supermarkets & butchers           

Blanco Nino
Phil Martin – Tortillas – www.blanco-nino.com                                

Nutshed
Evie and Eliza Ward – Peanut Butter – www.nutshed.ie
Online orders available               

O’Donnell’s Crisps
Kate O’Donnell – Crisps – www.odonnellscrisps.com
Available in stores                        

Red Nose Wine
Gary Gubbins – Wines – www.rednosewine.com
Available in store in Clonmel

Rivesci 
Shannon Forrest – Pesto, Cashew Chilli – www.rivesci.ie                                             

Russell Catering
Barbara Russell – Full Catering Service – www.brussellcatering.ie
Onsite, you can order by phone 086 8110749                   

Sheep Milk Ireland
Brendan Crosse – Sheeps Milk, Ice Cream – www.sheepmilk.ie                                 

Spearmans Bakery
Elaine Spearman – Bakery
Cashel Bakery Open                     

The Apple Farm
Con Traas – Apples, Cider, Apple Juice – www.theapplefarm.com
Available in farm shop and local supermarkets, online ordering and home delivery available           

The Butchers Daughter
Una O’Dwyer – Sausages, Rashers, Pudding – www.cashelfinefoods.ie
In supermarkets or Cashel butcher                        

Three Men in a Trailer
Ned Crowe – Artisan Ketchup – www.3men.ie
In supermarkets

Vera Miklas Chocolate
Vera Miklas – Modelling Chocolate, Freeze Dried Fruits – www.veramilkas.com
Online ordering plus available onsite or Bansha Garage, to order phone 086 8540220                           

Below are just some of the details of local producers in Down. If you would like to be added to the list just let us know, info@irishfoodawards.com

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

Bara Bakehouse – are opening their shop in Comber on their normal days (Wed-Sat) from 9am, with bread pre-wrapped and contactless payments only. Their bread can also be ordered and delivered as part of the Indie Füde pick-up and delivery service. (More below about that). https://www.facebook.com/barabakehouse/

Castlescreen Farm – wee cows, BIG BEEF has all their usual Dexter Beef, lamb, bacon and pork available, with an a £30 Meat Pack on offer (while stocks last). You can collect from their farm shop (safe social distance and contactless payment of course), or for free delivery within a 10 miles radius of Downpatrick. Collection available – just pre-order so they know you are coming! https://www.castlescreenfarm.com/

Cherryvalley Farm has their own shop, The Farm Shop, in Comber fully stocked with fresh, local and seasonal vegetables from their own and neighbouring farms. Tel for delivery enquiries: 07956554727  

Deli Muru products can be bought as part of Indie Füde’s pre-order and delivery service as well as other stockists such as Two Sisters and The Dairy among others.  https://www.delimuru.com/

Indie Füde has scaled up their pre-order and delivery service with many of our producer’s products available through them. Bara Bakehouse bread can be ordered through them as part of the service.  https://www.indiefude.com/

Krazi Baker has started a delivery service to your door (delivery range Dromara, Banbridge, Lurgan, Lisburn, Hillsborough, Comber, Dromore with collection options) with £10 and £20 packages. Details on their Facebook page. http://krazibaker.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/krazibaker/

NearyNogs Chocolate Makers Bean to bar chocolate, with a product range that includes dairy free, gluten free and even sugar free options. Buy directly from them online and check out their new subscription service – https://www.nearynogs.com

Tasty Wee Numbers Home Bakery Ballynahinch, Co Down, can be ordered via their Facebook page for delivery. More options to follow. Gluten free and dairy free traybakes, cookies and their newly launched granola.

The Local Newtownards Co Down, is planning a delivery service – just check out the page for  https://www.facebook.com/thelocalni/

Below are just some of the details of local producers in Antrim. If you would like to be added to the list just let us know, info@irishfoodawards.com

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

Abernethy Butter Company has re-stocked its stockists including Mikes Fancy Cheese, Indie Fude, Arcadia Delicatessen, and Two Sisters, to name but a few. http://abernethybutter.com/

Annie’s Delights – Homemade, jams & chutneys, breads and sweet treats via @anniesdelights1

Arcadia Delicatessen, Lisburn Road, Belfast stocks local food producers and is open Wednesday – Saturday 12pm-3pm for pre-order and collection. Pre-order from 10am by Tel 028 90 381779. Delivery free of charge to your doorstep if required minimum order £30 to postcodes BT4 BT5 BT7 BT9 BT10 BT11 BT17. https://www.facebook.com/arcadiadelicatessen/

BODEN PARK COFFEE COMPANY – have locally freshly roasted coffee for delivery (at a distance), or posted. Choice of beans roasted or ground. Packages from £5. Checkout their Facebook / Instagram page.  https://bodenparkcoffeeco.com/

Broughgammon Farm in Ballycastle on the North Coast is delivering to their local area but also offering a click and collect service for their kid goat meat and free range rose veal (or delivery) from Mike’s Fancy Cheese in Belfast and McNally’s Family Farm in North County Dublin.  Check out their Facebook page, Instagram or website for details. https://www.broughgammon.com/

Crumbs Vegan Bakery (Lisburn) is taking orders by phone, direct message or email as usual. https://www.facebook.com/crumbsveganbakery/

Hellbent Irish Boerwors are available in many Spar and Eurospars, Indie Fude and Arcadia Delicatessen – check out the about section of their Facebook page to check stockist list. https://www.facebook.com/WeAreHellbent/

Jack’s Fudge can be ordered directly with them and posted, or you’ll find it in their stockists including Indie Fude, Arcadia Delicatessen, Two Sisters, to name but a few. https://www.jacksfudge.co.uk/

Ke Nako Biltong have their 3 for £12 Biltong offer still running as well as 6 sticks of droewors for £5 available through their online store https://kenakobiltong.co.uk and also through their stockists Ballylagan Organic Farm, Indie Fude and Two Sisters NI.

Man Made – has started a new delivery service to your doorstep with Salted Caramel Brownies, Triple Chocolate Cookies, Fruits & Seed Flapjacks and Carmelitas. Choose from a mixed box of 5 for £0 or 10 for £20 or 20 for £30, all including delivery to the Greater Belfast Area. Orders via Instagram or phone Dan directly on 07851 218304. https://www.facebook.com/damnfinecake/

Mikes Fancy Cheese – maker of Young Buck, cheese shop open Tuesday – Saturday, 12-5pm, on Donegall Street in Belfast City Centre for all your cheese, bread and eggs needs. One into shop at a time. On-street parking so no social distancing issues! DELIVERY on Thursday’s – DM Mike on Facebook or Instagram (@Wheresthatjoebuck). A subscription box offer is being planned. In addition, they are facilitating as a collection point for Broughgammon Farm (see their info below). http://www.mfcheese.com/

Refuge Hot Chocolate can be ordered online as always and is available at local stockists of which there are too many to list but you can find them on their website: https://refugehotchocolate.com

Big thanks to the team in Food NI for sharing updates and to Joanne in Babble for sharing some of the details updates above,