What a busy few months we have had!

The 7^th annual Blas na hEireann, The Irish Food Awards were held at the beginning of October. We were once again honoured to welcome the very best of the Irish food industry’s producers to meet with press and buyers from across Ireland, the UK, Europe and even as far as Dubai.

In the days and weeks since the awards were announced we have been working with our finalists and winners to help them make the most of their win, be it through including their winning logo on their packaging or in advertising or putting them in touch with industry contacts who are reaching out to us. We are also making sure that our list of finalists & winners is shared with the press and trade buyers who couldn’t be here with us during the events. It’s a busy few weeks when we keep our heads down to business!

We will continue to work on behalf of our finalists in the coming months and one of the things we are working on is sharing news with the Irish food community. If you hear of opportunities, important information, interesting speakers or anything at all you think your colleagues in the food industry should know then get in touch.

A Meath-based family-owned food company specialising in natural flavours, which was only established a year ago, has been awarded the very top honour at this year’s prestigious Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, which were held in Dingle, Co. Kerry over the weekend – the largest annual gathering of indigenous food producers anywhere in the country.

Blast and Wilde, which is based in Slane and run by Graham and Bernie Canning, was chosen as the Bord Bia-sponsored Blas Supreme Champion 2014 from a huge entry of more than 2,000 products submitted for consideration at the hugely-acclaimed competition and showcase for Irish food producers. The Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, where the winners were announced, was abuzz with excitement following a hugely successful three days of the Dingle Peninsula Food Festival which hosts the awards and celebrates the vitality and vibrancy of the Irish food sector.

‘We are absolutely thrilled,’ said Bernie Canning of Blast and Wilde. ‘We only got the business off the ground a year ago and since then we have been making flavoured butter including Roast Garlic and Pesto, Black Olive Tapenade, and Chilli, Lime and Coriander. Graham and I both have a passion for food and flavours and we are honoured to have taken to the top award at Blas as well as first, second and third in the dairy butter category.’

Chairman of The Irish Food Awards, Artie Clifford congratulated the winners, saying the number of entries broke all records this year. He said that a win at Blas opens doors to producers who want to get established or expand into new markets.

“Blas na h-Éireann, The Irish Food Awards, is about recognising passionate, dedicated producers who are serious about marketing their fantastic Irish food and drink into markets at home and around the globe. Everyone who took part is a winner – having reached the finals already puts them at the top of their industry,” said Artie.

For a full list of winners click here

-Results of survey announced at the launch of the 2014 Blas na hEireann, Irish Food Awards –

As always we will be searching for the very best of food and drink produced on the island of Ireland. All Irish producers, North and South, are invited to submit products that are commercially available to the public.

Important Information
Once again this year we are offering entrants an opportunity to avail of an early bird rate of €35 per entry if entered before 30^th April. Any entries received after this date and up until 17^th June will be at a charge of €45 per product.

Important dates
April 30th  – Closing date for early bird
June 17th  – Final closing date for entry
Aug 5th – 7th – UCC Delivery for initial judging (all categories excluding 20 – 25)
Sept 3rd – The Baking Academy Delivery & Judging (categories 20 – 25)
September – Shortlisted producers will be notified
Oct 2nd – Finalist 2nd round judging
Oct 4th – Finalist Networking Event & Award ceremony

If you would like to find out more about Blas just get in touch by email toinfo@irishfoodawards.com or call us on 087 9029329

Read the Rules
Click here to enter online
Download a copy of the rules and categories