The Blas na hÉireann 2024 finalists are announced with another strong year for producers shortlisted from Co. Cavan, sponsored by Cavan LEO
The finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, 2024 have been announced and the countdown is now on for another exciting and joyous awards weekend in the pretty seaside town of Dingle. The three-day event will take place from Thursday 3rd October to Saturday 5th October.
The excitement is already building and the Blas team are hard at work preparing for the arrival of food and drink producers from across Ireland to celebrate the very best of Irish.
Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann saw another record-breaking year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place in June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country.
“Local Enterprise Office Cavan and Created in Cavan are delighted to see 9 finalist producers representing our county at the Blás na hÉireann awards this year. Cavan’s previous success and continued presence is indicative of the great work done as well as the growth in the sector. LEO and Created In Cavan are committed to supporting this growth to continue and we are proud to be sponsoring the overall Best in Cavan award.” Dermot Gallagher, Food Strategy Co-ordinator, Cavan Local Enterprise
The finalists shortlisted from Co. Cavan across a range of different categories are Aine Chocolates Ltd, Carleton Cakes, Cullys Craft Bakery, Drummully Boxty, Ice Cream Treats, Liffey Meats, Manor Farm, Morans Megajam Ltd, Terra
Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, “I started the awards after 30 years in the food industry, and I knew there was a need to celebrate the amazing food and drink being produced on the island of Ireland. 17 years later, it continues to delight me the number of new producers entering each year along with so many familiar faces returning year on year. We are an island of phenomenal producers and should be very proud of that, being able to showcase the very best of the best in Dingle each year is a real privilege for the whole Blas team.”
This year’s Blas na hÉireann awards in Dingle will see the return of Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village where the 2024 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. This year’s focus will be on sustainability with a commitment to encourage zero-waste throughout the three days of the awards in line with the Dingle Food Festival ethos. One new element at Blas will be the removal of any single use cups and the introduction of the first electric van delivering food and drink to the awards from across the country. These new initiatives are supported by Bank of Ireland in partnership with Blas.
With over 3,000 products entered in this year’s Blas na hÉireann, making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of. The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are shortlisted as finalists really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink.
For finalist producers it is not just their exceptional food and drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded making Blas na hÉireann 2024 a food event not to be missed!
Notes to Editors:
Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties. Judging took place during June and July and awards will be announced on 4th October.
For more information or imagery contact:
Hattie Wrixon
Host & Co.
E: hattie@hostandcompany.ie
M: 087 189 1360
Together with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, the team at Blas na hÉireann have developed a blind-tasting judging system that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.
Winners and finalists are always the best Blas ambassadors — something to which many hundreds of small producers, farmers, growers, bakers and artisan food makers who have won a Blas na hÉireann award and proudly put the winner’s sticker on their product can attest. Research has shown that the Blas na hÉireann accreditation has the highest recognition among Irish consumers and having the award logo on products encourages shoppers to buy – it is a recognised guarantee of a top-quality Irish product.
“Creates a great buzz around your product and is also great for social media engagement. We are still being congratulated by local people and it gives your product recognition” Drummully Boxty
Key dates for 2024
16th May – Deadline to enter www.irishfoodawards.com
June/July – Judging with UCC
Mid August – Finalists Notified
4th October – Blas na hÉireann awards presented
(Blas Village with Networking, Showcase, Awards & Eat Ireland in a Day running from 4th – 6th Oct)
2024 Categories
2024 Delivery Locations & Dates for Judging
2024 Entry Form
A look back at 2023 Cavan winners
