Ards and North Down Winners at Blas na hÉireann Food Awards 2023

6th October 2023

Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards is in its 16^th year and is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Members of the Taste Ards and North Down Food and Drink Network travelled to Dingle in the hopes of winning one of these coveted awards.

Some of the finalists: Back row Tracey Hamilton, Mash Direct, Bryan and Gillian Boggs, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt.
Front row:  Sarah Cochrane, Bow Bells, Megan Hide and Laura Killough, Copeland Distillery and Nina Cristanacce, Morning Glory Granola.

Located in the heart of Dingle, Blas Village -a pop-up village, was built for producers across the country to come together and celebrate the very best of Irish food and drink. This event provides finalists and winners the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

The Blas awards are the biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, and the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC, is now recognised as an international industry standard.

It is a huge achievement to make it as a finalist in these awards and Ards and North Down are delighted to have strong representation from our local producers at the event, which took place on Friday 29 September.  There were 11 companies who travelled to Dingle in the hopes of receiving one of these coveted awards with 19 products being showcased. Some of these producers also participated in Backyard at Blas, debating food related issues and Eat Ireland in Day, food fayre.

Congratulations to the following Ards and North Down, Award Winners and Top 5 Finalists for 2023

All winners get to display the blas logo on their products for the next three years. Research has shown that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition amongst Irish consumers and using the award logo on packs encourages shoppers to buy these products. It is their guarantee of a top quality Irish product.

Awards

• Capparelli Cooks – Casarecce Pasta – Chef’s Larder Award
• Mash Direct - Beer Battered Onion Rings - Gold
• Habanero Steve’s - Mexican Slammer - Gold
• Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Cloudy Lemonade Cordial - Gold
• Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Extra Hot Belfast Ginger Ale - Gold
• Papa’s Minerals/Longbridge Drinks – Best Producer In County Down - Gold
• Copeland Distillery – Coffee Liqueur - Silver
• Willowbrook Foods – Lidl Red Cabbage with Bramley Apple - Bronze

 Top 5 Finalists

• Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt - Mandarin & Lime Yoghurt
• Bow Bells – Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls
• Bow Bells – Chicken Balti Pie
• Morning Glory Granola – Wild at Heart Granola
• Bro Coffee Company - LÁRRÓST Roasted Coffee Blend
• Rock A Doodle Do -Banshee BBQ
• Rock A Doodle Do - Dunville Whiskey Sauce

Read more about Blas na hÉireann | Find out more about Taste Ards and North Down