Cork's culinary triumph
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Matthew Collins and Eimear Collins of The Sibly Food Company pictured receiving their award from Artie Clifford, Chairman and sponsor from Andrew Ingredients Colin Lavery. Photo: MacMonagle, Killarney DON MACMONAGLEImage 2 of 3
Norma & Tom DInneen of Bó Rua Farm pictured receiving their award from Artie Clifford, Blas na hEireann and Terry O’Dwyer, sponsor Cross Rental Services. DON MACMONAGLEImage 3 of 3
Shane Long, Steve Guiney & Paidi Scully of the Original 7 Beverage Company won a silver medal for their Wonderland Red Ale brew. Gerard McCarthy 087 8537228Cork is a well-known food destination but it got the recognition it deserved recently when 39 producers were honoured in the Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle.
Now in its 16th year, Blas na hÉireann saw almost 3,000 products compete with many new producers entering the awards for the first time. Products from every county were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in 150 food and drink categories.
Securing that Blas badge is a big achievement and those producers nominated as and eventual winners, demonstrate exceptional quality in their field.
Speaking as the winners were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, “We are thrilled to see such deserving winners and finalists again this year at Blas na hÉireann 2023.
“Looking back on 16 years of Blas, it’s fantastic to see the standard of food and drink in Ireland go from strength-to-strength year on year.
It’s a real privilege for myself and the whole Blas family to bring these products, and the amazing producers who make them, to a much wider audience.”
The winners from Cork are: Alternative Christmas Pudding Company, Andrea's Kitchen, Bantry Bay Seafoods, Bó Rua Farm, Carbery Group, Clóna Dairy Products Ltd, Clonakilty Gluten Free Kitchen, Coolmore Foods, Folláin, Gloun Cross Dairy, Hassetts Bakers & Confectioners Ltd, Irish Yogurts Ltd, Keohane Seafoods, Kepak Cork, Kinsale Mead Co, Kinsale Spirit, Leahys Open farm, Macroom Buffalo Cheese Products Ltd (Best in County), Malay Kitchen, McCarthy's of Kanturk, Niamh's Larder, North Cork co-op, North Cork Creameries, Nua Asador, O'Callaghan's Cafe and Deli Ltd, O'Leary's Family Butchers, On The Pigs Back, Original 7 Beverage Co, Sage Restaurant, Secret Recipe Limited, Shannonvale, Silver Pail Dairy, Stonewell Cider & Nohoval Apple Wine, The Sibly Food Company, Tom Durcan Meats Ltd, Toons Bridge Dairy, Walls Chips, West Cork Distillers and Ardsallagh Goat's Cheese.
Blas na hÉireann 2023 also saw the return of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day tent where the 2023 finalists got the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet industry buyers.