Update 12th December – The Blas Box for 2021 has sold out. Thank you to everyone who has ordered.

In 2020 for the very first time we put together a Blas Box. With a selection of the best of Blas winning products from over the years, the Blas Box is the ultimate gift for the food enthusiast and in 2020 we completely sold out!

This year we have another beautiful selection of past winners, it represents the very best of Irish food and drink and includes everything you might need for your Christmas larder from boozy drinks to hot drinks, sweet treats and savoury goodies.

This year’s Blas Box has sold out, if you would like to receive an update when pre-orders open for 2022 drop us a line to info@irishfoodawards.com

2021 Blas Box

Important things to know….
Blas Box is €135 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 2021
plus a Valentia Vermouth (Kerry) Bronze 2021 (100ml)
plus Ballyhoura Mulled Apple Juice (Limerick) Gold 2021

Hot Drinks
Earl Grey Blue Flower – Suki (Antrim) Gold 2021
Velo Coffee (Cork) Gold 2020
Spoon’d Malted Milk Chocolate (Dublin) Gold 2021

Sweet
Sloe Jelly – Wild About (Wexford) Gold 2021 and Supreme Champion Winner!
Caramel & Sea Salt Bar – Temptation Patisserie (Laois) Gold 2021 (& Best Start Up & Best Artisan)
Chocolate Biscuit Cake – The Cupcake Bloke (Dublin) Gold 2020
Handmade Sweets – SeaSugar (Antrim) Gold 2021
Strawberry & Elderflower Preserve – Wexford Home Preserves (Wexford) Gold 2021

Savoury
Korean BBQ Sauce from Cork! – Rebel Chilli (Cork) Gold 2021
Irish Red Onion Relish – Wexford Home Preserves (Wexford) – A special Christmas choice from multiple winners 2021
O’Donnells Cheese & Onion Crisps – O’Donnell’s (Tipperary) Gold 2021
Smoked Onion Mayo – Búilín Blasta (Galway) Gold 2021
Cranberry Crackers – Isle of Crackers (Wexford) Gold 2021

This year’s Blas Box has sold out, if you would like to receive an update when pre-orders open for 2022 drop us a line to info@irishfoodawards.com

Results will be announced online here throughout the day on Saturday Octiober 2rd and while we will miss gathering collectively to cheer on colleagues and friends, we will make up for it by ensuring that #Blas2021 trends all day!

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

Check this page for updates as we get closer to the 3rd of October and in the meantime the outline of timing is as follows;

12.00 – Meats Categories – supported by Henderson Food Machinery
12.30 – Dairy – Supported by Cross Rental Services
1.00 – Seafood, Terrines & Pates – Supported by GS1
1.30 – Ready Meals & Prepared Foods – supported by Blenders
2.00 – Breads & Cakes supported by Andrew Ingredients
2.30 – Sweet Pantry
3.00 – Savoury Pantry
3.30 – Savoury Snacks & Drinks
4.00 – Best in County Winners announced
4.30 – Best Start Up – Supported by Bank of Ireland
4.45 – Seafood Innovation – Supported by BIM
5.00 – Chefs Larder Winners
5.15 – Rogha na Gaeltachta – Supported by Udaras na Gaeltachta
5.30 Best New Product – Supported by Invest NI
5.45 – Regional Winners – Best in Province
6.00 – Best Artisan
6.00 – Supreme Champion Announced – Supported by Bord Bia

Full list of winners list will be shared at 6pm

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.

If you are announced as a winner on the weekend we want to be sure we can get your award to you as soon as we can and allow you to make the most of the press opportunities following the awards.

For our winners, we are working to arrange to have the awards either available for pick up in their county from the Monday following the awards or delivered direct via An Post. This will differ county by county.

In some counties, based on geographical spread and ease of access we have arranged to deliver direct via An Post.

In some counties we have worked with our colleagues in the industry to arrange a central collection point. 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. 
Please note that some details are still being confirmed so check back here for final details

All winners will be sent details of photo guidelines so if you are a winner whether glass is delivered direct or collected we will ask you to share images with our PR team so we can share on your behalf with our local news releases.

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 contact us if you cannot make your time and we will arrange an alternative.

Antrim	Invest NI will be in touch with winners directly to arrange
Armagh	Invest NI will be in touch with winners directly to arrange
Carlow	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Cavan	Tuesday 5th October at 2pm – Cavan County Council Offices
Clare	Monday 4th October @ 10am – Burren Smokehouse
Cork	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Derry	Invest NI will be in touch with winners directly to arrange
Donegal	Monday 4th of October @ 2pm at Local Enterprise Office, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal
Down	Invest NI will be in touch with winners directly to arrange
Dublin	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Fermanagh	Invest NI will be in touch with winners directly to arrange
Galway	Wednesday 6th @ 10am- McCambridges Galway
Kerry	Tuesday 5th @ 10am – Blas Office, Dingle
Kildare	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Kilkenny	Monday 4th @ 1pm – Parade in front of Kilkenny Castle (co-ordination with Mag Kirwan)
Laois	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Leitrim	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Limerick	Monday 4th October 3.30pm – Woodlands Hotel, Adare – Co-ordinated with Limerick LEO
Longford	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Louth	Monday 4th Oct @ 3pm – Town Hall Dundalk, Co-ordinated with Louth LEO
Mayo	Tue 5th Oct – 11am – Mayo House, Moneen Road, Castlebar, County Mayo, F23 N504
Meath	Monday 4th @ 11am – Meath LEO, Buvinda House, Navan
Monaghan	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Offaly	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Roscommon	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Sligo	Sunday 3rd October – 11am – Strandhill People’s Market
Tipperary	Tue 5th Oct @ 10am Oakville Shopping Centre, Upper Gladstone St, Burgagery-Lands East, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 FX58 (Co-=ordinated with James Whelans)
Tyrone	Invest NI will be in touch with winners directly to arrange
Waterford	Awards will be delivered direct via An Post
Westmeath	Awards will be co-ordinated with Westmeath LEO
Wexford	Wednesday 6th October – 10am – Dunbrody Famine Ship, New Ross co-ordinated with Wexford Food Family
Wicklow	Monday 4th @ 4pm – Powerscourt Distillery

The Food Industry Training Unit services the part-time training, continuing education and professional development needs of people working within the Food, Agri-food and Seafood Sectors. Courses are designed to meet the the dynamic and evolving needs of those working within these sectors.

There are two course which are open for registration which may be of interest to producers….

• Graduate Development Programme – Diploma in Leadership for the Agri-Food Sector
  https://www.ucc.ie/en/fitu/courses/leadership-agri-food-sector/
  
• Diploma in Speciality Food Production
  https://www.ucc.ie/en/fitu/courses/specialityfood/

Results will be announced online on Saturday 2nd 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 – 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 (Single origin)	2.30pm
Hot Drinks – Coffee (Blended)	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 – Hot Plate 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
Nut Butter	2.30pm
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 – served hot)	3pm
Sauces (Other – served cold)	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
Seafood Products – Prepared Shellfish (served raw)	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	1pm
Terrines/Patés – 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 – 12.30pm
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 – 1pm
Seafood Products – Cold Smoked	1pm
Seafood Products – Hot Smoked	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Fish	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Shellfish	1pm
Seafood Products – Prepared Shellfish (served raw)	1pm
Terrines/Paté – Meat	1pm
Terrines/Patés – Seafood	1pm
Terrines/Patés – Vegetarian	1pm
Session 4 – 1.30pm
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 – 2pm
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 – Hot Plate 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 – 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 – 2.30pm
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
Nut Butter	2.30pm
Coffee (Single origin)	2.30pm
Coffee (blended)	2.30pm
Tea (breakfast / black tea)	2.30pm
Tea (Herbal / fruit infusions)	2.30pm
Other Hot Drinks	2.30pm
Session 7 – 3pm
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 served hot)	3pm
Sauces (Other served cold)	3pm
Sauces (Tomato Based)	3pm
Sauces (Hot sauce)	3pm
Seasonings	3pm
Vinegars	3pm
Session 8 – 3.30pm
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

The Blas na hÉireann 2021 finalists

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann 2021 have been announced and the countdown is on for the awards weekend which will take place virtually again this year on October 2^nd.

Now in their 14^th year, the team at Blas na hÉireann have worked harder than ever this year to make sure the awards went ahead, moving the blind-tasting judging system from the campus in UCC to Dingle to work within Government guidelines and the constraints of social distancing. With the blueprint for this new system developed last year, the team were able to seamlessly ensure the judging was handled with the same care and attention as always. Especially important in a year where we have seen a record entry level from producers right across the island.

“We’re delighted to announce the finalists for 2021 and chuffed to see so many new products being entered into Blas na hÉireann this year. Last year was new territory for us but the team here did tremendous work to make sure the awards went ahead and the sense of community that we experienced over the virtual awards event was just brilliant.” says Chairperson, Artie Clifford. “We saw a large increase in entries this year and these new producers have really raised the bar across all categories and will allow us to introduce new producers to the buyers and press whom we work with which is really exciting.”

Judging & Results
Traditionally Blas na hEireann has had two rounds of judging, a summer session and a finalist round as part of our weekend of events in October.

Over the years we have seen that the ranking from one round of tasting to another remained the same. Essentially the finalist round has confirmed the first round of tasting.

In 2020 with Covid restrictions in place we worked with UCC to confirm this and after the initial first round of judging, the top scoring products from several categories went through a second round of tasting, both in Dingle and at satellite venues across the country. In conjunction with UCC these results were studied and the findings showed that the results based on two entirely separate panels returned the exact same rankings. You can read more here)

This year, with the confidence of the 2020 study, we have completed our judging and this scoring will be used to announce the winners on the 2^nd of October.

Finalist stage
Finalists are the top 5 entries in a category (generally there are just 5 finalists although in some cases if scoring is extremely  close there can be more).

The finalist stage has always been a very tough stage to reach, and producers have had success from promoting that they have reached this stage, putting them front and centre in the eyes of trade and press who are watching the finalist results . As such, when we made the change in 2020 to a single tasting we felt it was important to still celebrate our finalists.

We will also be publishing a finalist guide which will be shared with buyers and press directly in advance of the awards.

From the top scoring products in each category who are listed as finalists a Gold, Silver & bronze winner will be announced

Awards

In line with current Government guidelines on large events still being in place, we have made the decision to keep Blas na hÉireann as a virtual event again this year. We must take this action now so we can focus and prepare for another online celebration in October, making it bigger and better than last year’s weekend of awards and networking. As always, we wish to adhere strictly to Government guidelines and keep 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 as our top priority.

The annual gathering that takes place each year is an important part of the Blas experience and the team are working hard to move as many events to a virtual format as is possible.

The Blas team are also working on an exciting line up of online presentations and workshops as part of The Blas Backyard which is supported by Bank of Ireland and Taste4Success.
 

The awards will be announced over the course of the day on October 2nd on the Blas website and across social media channels and while the Blas family will miss welcoming everyone to Dingle, the team and the wider Blas community will gather virtually and make sure #Blas2021 trends all day!

In line with current Government guidelines on large events still being in place, we have made the decision to keep Blas na hÉireann as a virtual event again this year. We must take this action now so we can focus and prepare for another online celebration in October, making it bigger and better than last year’s weekend of awards and networking. As always, we wish to adhere strictly to Government guidelines and keep 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 as our top priority.

Judging
Our summer judging has now taken place. As we had created a blueprint for this last year, the judging went seamlessly again this year under the watchful eye of our colleagues in UCC, ensuring the judging was handled with the same care and attention as always.

The Blas na hÉireann 2021 results will be based on our summer judging sessions and will be announced as follows;

Producers will be notified by email if they have reached the finalist stage. These notifications will begin on the 23^rd, as always, every producer who has taken part will receive an update on their entry.

The tasting for this year has been completed, we will be announcing Gold, Silver & Bronze winners during our October awards and in the lead up to the awards all finalists can promote their achievements of reaching this stage.

The awards will be announced online on Saturday 2^nd October.

For the awards themselves, as we did last year, we will be announcing the winners over the course of the day on October 2^nd on our social media channels ensuring that #Blas2021 trends all day.

We stand with all our friends and colleagues in the events industry and look forward to returning to Dingle in person to celebrate the very best of Irish food and drink. We hope that you will all give the same incredible support to the Blas 2021 virtual celebration as you did last year.

Please get in touch with us if you have questions, you can reach Fallon or Artie by email on info@irishfoodawards.com

Our 2021 Producer’s Champion has shared some great recipes with us using some of his favourite’s from the Blas larder of past winners

Wild Atlantic Way Fish Pie

Wild Atlantic Way Fish Pie
Serves 6
350g Atlantic Treasure Mackerel Fillets (Plain)
350g  Haddock  Fillets
50g Butter
50g Plain Flour
500ml Milk
1 Bay Leaf
100g Cheddar Cheese, grated  
750g Potatoes Cooked & Mashed
Bunch Spring Onions
50g Butter
2 Cloves Garlic Crushed
2 Carrots Peeled & Diced
White of 1 Leek Sliced
4 Sticks of Celery Diced
1 Onion Peeled & Diced
50g Rapeseed Oil
Chopped Fresh Parsley
Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Method:
Peel and cook the potatoes, drain and mash them then leave aside. Melt 50g of butter and sweat chopped spring onions and mix in through mashed potato with a pinch of pepper.

Place the smoked mackerel and haddock fillets in a pan with a bayleaf and cover with the milk. Bring to the boil and simmer for 7 minutes.

Remove fish from the milk and place the fish in tin foil, leave aside but not in the oven. 

For the suave melt the butter in saucepan and add flour to make a roux, then add whisk in the milk the fish was cooked in. season with pinch of pepper whisking all the time. Simmer the sauce until it thickens. Add the 50g of the grated cheese. Hold back remaining 50g for the top of pie.

In rapeseed oil sweat the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, leeks and celery until the vegetables are soft and cooked. Season with fresh ground pepper.

Place the fish and vegetables in a oven proof dish and pour over the sauce and gently combine everything together. Place a layer of mashed potato on top with the remaining grated cheese. Bake in pre heated oven at 200 degrees C for 40 minutes. 

Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving and serve with chopped parsley on top.

Jam Roly Poly Swiss Roll 

Ingredients:
2 Large Eggs 
50g Castor Sugar 
50g Self raising Flour 

To Decorate:
Clarkes Strawberry Jam (Or Raspberry)
20g Caster Sugar 
150ml Cream Whipped 
Fresh Strawberries or Raspberries 

Method: 
Preheat an oven to 170 degrees C
Line a Swiss roll tin with greaseproof paper

In a bowl whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. 

Sieve the flour into the eggs and sugar in two stages and gently using a spoon fold in the flour.

Spread the mix onto the tray and bake for 12 minutes. 

Once baked scatter some sugar on a clean cloth or fresh sheet of greaseproof paper and tip the sponge out onto the sugar. 

Immediately while warm roll the sponge with either the cloth or grease proof inside the roll. 

While allowing to cook whip the cream and once sponge is cool open back out again (you will need to support it with your hands)

Spread with a generous layer of jam, then cream and it will roll back into into round shape.

Decorate with sprinkle of sugar and some fresh fruits. 

Mentor, ambassador and popular Donegal chef, Brian McDermott is announced as Blas na hÉireann 2021 Producers’ Champion alongside a baker’s dozen of highly commended nominees

This year the Blas team asked producers to nominate people who they felt were doing their utmost to support and promote Irish food. Looking back on 2020, it was very clear that local support was invaluable to producers and this was evident in the suggestions that came back from producers. So much so that rather than just one name coming forward from the nominations, they saw a dream team of champions being suggested all across the country who had supported producers in a very tough year.

The names that were suggested represent a broad range across the food industry from chefs and independent retailers to advisers and networks: Ardkeen Stores, Brian McDermott, Ciara Leahy, Conor Spacey, Con Traas, the Gastro Gays, Gaz Smith, Hussey Fruit & Veg, Indie Fude, Joe McNamee, McCambridges, Olivia Duff, Oonagh Monahan, Phillippe Farineau. A baker’s dozen of Blas na hÉireann heroes alongside one name who just pipped the post, as chef Brian McDermott is announced as Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion 2021.

“2020 was a year like no other for our producers,” says Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, “and with the pandemic stretching on into this year, we weren’t surprised to see such a widespread and diverse mix of nominees for our 2021 Producers’ Champion. People have continued to support local and the sense of community so firmly established during the challenge of last year has been maintained. We wanted to give a shout out to all the great individuals, couples, families and businesses who were nominated. The work being done in every corner of this island by people on the ground in a variety of professions is immense, all with one common goal of supporting and championing Irish food. We’re thrilled to announce Brian McDermott as the ultimate Producers’ Champion for 2021.”

Joining past Producers’ Champion and heroes of the Irish food industry like Simon Coveney, Neven Maguire, John & Sally McKenna, Shane McArdle, Kai’s Jess Murphy and last year’s winners, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen, Brian is in good company when it comes to celebrating and supporting the very best in Irish food and drinks.

Speaking of his award Brian said, “I’m so chuffed to be announced as the Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion for 2021. I’ve been a long-time supporter of what Artie and the Blas team do each year and I love being a part of the process in finding great Irish products. We missed not being in Dingle last October, but seeing the awards go ahead virtually was brilliant. Being from Donegal I have been so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful produce all my life and seeing that produce used with such respect by my mother growing up stayed with me. Banging the drum for the best of Irish is second nature to me and I’m thrilled that my passion has been recognised in this way by the producers I admire so much.”

Entries for the 2021 Blas na hEireann awards are open to all food & drink producers across the island find out more