THE high quality of Limerick food was underlined in Dingle last weekend when eight food producers from around the city and county were winners at this year’s Blas na hÉireann All-Ireland food awards.
The bronze, silver and gold winners from Limerick were Ballyhoura Apple Farm, Glen Aine, Kearney’s Home Baking, Leahy Farmhouse Foods, Sodalicious, Old Irish Creamery, McMahon Quality Meats and Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms, who were also winners of the Best in County award.
This year’s finalists and winners got to experience the pop-up Blas Village where producers had the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers at Blas na hÉireann first in-person event in three years.
Blas founder and chairman Artie Clifford described event as an intense and fantastic few days of focused networking, catch-ups and creating new connections.
“I am delighted that we have been able to showcase this exceptional produce to both regular visitors and industry experts in such an approachable and enjoyable way.
“The competition ramps up year on year, so the producers who are short-listed as finalists really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink. This year it was not just the excellent food and drink that has been celebrated but the people themselves, our passionate and resilient producers,” Mr Clifford added.
Now in its 15th year, Blas na hÉireann saw a huge increase in entries with almost 3,000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time. Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.
