Entries closing this Wednesday (17th) for Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards
Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2023 are now open. Last year, following a two-year hiatus from an in-person event, the much-anticipated return to Dingle was a moment of magic as friends, colleagues, producers and makers finally got together again to celebrate, and the excitement for this September is already building.
Blas na hÉireann is the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink. Entries are open to producers across all categories of food and drink with the early bird discounted rate for entries running until 5th April. Entries will finally close for this year’s awards on May 17th.
“Being back together in person again last year reminded us all how important these awards are on so many levels,” says Blas na hÉireann Chairman, Artie Clifford, “creating a sense of community and support, as well as a feeling of pride and ownership in that community. The judges were blown away by the quality of the produce last year and the winners and finalists were genuinely so happy to be back in a room together again, celebrating their own wins and each other’s successes. I am looking forward as ever to seeing what this year has to bring, as well as discovering new products we haven’t seen before. We were particularly thrilled last year with the new addition of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland experience which we are bringing back again this year.”
This is the 16th year of Blas na hÉireann and last year saw a huge increase in entries to over 3,000, the highest on record, with many producers entering the awards for the first time. Together with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, the team at Blas worked to develop a blind-tasting judging system that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.
Winners are always the best Blas ambassadors, something to which over a decade’s worth of small producers, farmers, growers, bakers and artisan food makers who have won a Blas award and proudly put the winner’s sticker on their product can attest. Research has shown that the Blas 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.
Entries for Blas na hÉireann are open and there is an early bird fee of €70 (ex VAT) until 5th April. The full entry fee, applicable from 6th April to 17th May is €90 per entry (ex VAT).
press release
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