The Backyard at Blas is back with a spring programme of learning, sharing insights, positive chats and conversations.
Who better to hear from than the wonderful bunch of people that producers have told us have been their heroes and supporters.

In 2021 we asked producers’ to nominate people who they felt were doing their utmost to support and promote Irish food. 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.

Brian mcDermott was announced as the overall Producers’ Champion alongside a dream team of champions who have supported producers through the past few very tough years. Read more on this here

As we started to plan for Blas 2022, beginning with our spring programme, we couldn’t think of anyone else we would rather learn from!

The Backyard at Blas is a space full of positive conversation, learning and support for food & drink producers.
Our spring sessions are open to all producers and are a chance to gain knowledge and find support for your business. 

The spring sessions will take place online. We will have a series of talks asking these Irish food champions to share what they see as special, what makes something great in their eyes.

We will be looking at the perspectives of chefs, buyers, writers, distributors, business experts.
The focus will be on sharing with the producers what they can do to be successful in the eyes of the industry.

The sessions are open to all Irish food & drink producers, you can register here.

If you can’t make it at the scheduled time you can still register and we will share the recording afterwards
The sessions are free to attend and the online learning has been supported by Taste4Success Skillnet.

The line up
Please note there are some more to be announced

Monday 7th March
11am – Brian McDermott – Product Development – What are they keys to successful new development

Wednesday 9th March
9.30am – GastroGays – Russell & Patrick chat about what makes successful social media
11am – Conor Spacey – Responsible sourcing in a kitchen
1pm – Ciara Leahy – What makes a great story

Thursday 10th March
10am – Johnny from Indie Fude on working with an independent retailer
12noon – Gaz Smith chats about how to approach a chef

Friday 11th March
9.30am – Sean Hussey, Hussey Fruit & Veg on the challenges of distribution
11am – Oonagh Monahan on the business of food 
12 noon – Joe McNamee chats about introducing a new product to the marketplace: How to directly target both ordinary consumers and also restaurant chefs to build brand recognition

Tuesday 15th March
11am – Olivia Duff from The Boyne Valley Food Series on the importance of a network for food producer, how to work within a network

Register here.

Special Sale on Older Stock
50% off all older labels in stock – limited time and while stocks last

2019 – Chef’s Choice / Best in County / Best in Farmers Market / Finalist / Gold
2018 – Gold / Silver / Bronze / Finalist / Best in County / Best in Farmers Market / Chef’s Choice
2017 – Gold / Silver / Bronze / Finalist
2016 – Chef’s Choice
2015 – Gold / Silver / Bronze / Finalist

Contact us by email to order – info@irishfoodawards.com

Costings:
€8.90 per 1000 (ex VAT & postage) – Reduced to €4.45 per 1000 (ex VAT & Postage)

Postage Rates:
1 – 2 Rolls @ €4.80
3 – 4 Rolls @ €6.20
5 Rolls or more @ €9.00

Please note that the labels are 25mm in diameter

Proudly Supported by Compass Group Ireland

The Blas na hÉireann Buyers’ Showcase returns this week, having last taken place in 2019 at the awards weekend in Dingle. The beautiful surroundings of Killruddery will play host to the Showcase from November 10th to 12th, proudly supported by Compass Group Ireland.

The Buyers’ Showcase is an opportunity for retail buyers from all across the country to come and view the latest Blas award-winning products in an ideal shop setting, with a view to potentially stocking them on the shelves of their own stores. In the past, products have been discovered and deals done at the Blas Buyers’ Showcase that have changed the businesses and lives of Blas na hÉireann producers.

Set up in the wonderful Milking Parlour at Killruddery, a large, spacious venue with open archways onto the courtyard for extra ventilation, this shop floor-style display showcases the 2021 finalists on the shelves, a record year for entries with many new producers reaching the finalist stage, so essentially the very best of Irish under one roof. Retail buyers are welcome to come along and view the Buyers’ Showcase but places are limited and must be registered in advance.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting our Buyers’ Showcase this year,” said Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann. “The awards in 2020 and 2021 were all done virtually, and while we were so proud to be able to announce winners each year, we really missed gathering to celebrate our producers and, most importantly, putting our winning products in front of key decision-makers. The Blas Buyers’ Showcase gives attendees the time and space to consider each product and decide if it’s something their customers would enjoy. We are delighted to welcome Compass Group Ireland on board to support this event and are excited by their plans to continue to champion Irish produce and Blas na hÉireann winning products over the coming months across their 130 sites.”

Speaking about the partnership, Deirdre O’Neill, Managing Director of Compass Group Ireland said, “It is our great pleasure at Compass Group Ireland to support this important trade initiative, and to help promote recognition of the very high calibre of Irish food production and the passion and commitment of local food producers. We are delighted that almost 100 of this year’s Blas na hÉireann finalists are either direct suppliers to our kitchens or work indirectly with manufacturers supplying our business. This is a number we look forward to growing over the coming months and years as we work collaboratively with the team at Blas na hÉireann.”

Compass Group Ireland is one of Ireland’s leading foodservices providers, accounting for annual revenue on the island of Ireland in the region of €68 million. The business employs approximately 1,500 people in Ireland, largely across its onsite foodservice operations, and works with Irish food and drinks from 180 Irish food producers and suppliers, spending over €35 million a year on Irish food. Of the 40,000 meals served each day across its 130 sites, over 70% of the food sourced by Compass group Ireland is produced here.

Our Buyer’s Showcase is taking place this week (10 – 12 November) at Killruddery and we are delighted to be working with Compass Ireland to support this showcase of our 2021 finalists & winners.

Compass Ireland are working with producers all across Ireland in their kitchens across their 130 sites. We have asked producers who are working with them about their experience…

Around Noon
“Around Noon & Compass Ireland have a truly collaborative approach when it comes to their supply partnership and new product development. Around Noon’s depth of range and innovation has resulted in the availability of an extensive range of products to cater across their many sectors such as travel, business & industry and hospitality. Compass Ireland are always encouraging our business in using locally sourced ingredients and have a huge emphasis on provenance. Much to the satisfaction of their client base.” Philip Morgan, Sales Director

Goatsbridge

“Delighted to work in close partnership with Compass through our long-standing customer Atlantis. We have always felt valued as a food producer and this makes all the hard work worthwhile. Long may it continue” Mag Kirwan, Goatsbridge

Java Republic

“Java Republic has been a proud partner with Compass Group over the years. The powerful near two-decade partnership strengthens year-on-year through trust, relationships and delivered by people who care. We are always on board to train and upskill their staff, keeping thousands of people happy. We are pleased to share the common values regarding the sustainability approach and corporate social responsibility matters, giving the most to the Irish communities in which we serve.” Grace O’Shaughnessy Managing Director Java Republic

Kepak

“Kepak are proud to have partnered with Compass to deliver innovative foodservice solutions to our valued customers since 2019. This strong partnership is driven by a shared passion for quality food, constant drive for innovation and an aligned mindset on sustainability goals for the future. We look forward to continuing this partnership into 2022 as the Irish foodservice industry continues its recovery and returns to growth”.

Mark O’Brien, Channel Manager – Foods Division

Sushi King

“I have been working with Compass since 2010, over the 12 years I have found them to be so very approachable and supportive of small Irish companies” Audrey Gargan, Sushi King

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.

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

Session by session…