Entries open for Irish Food Awards

Last year's Blas Irish Food Award winners included Sharon Greene of Wild Irish Foragers and Preservers and Ruth Ormistion of Cornude Popcorn

With research showing that using the Blas award logo on pack can make a significant difference to businesses, winning a Blas award can give a real boost to Ireland's food producers

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Read More: Blas food producers Irish Food Awards

Entries are now open to producers across the island of Ireland for this year’s Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards. The awards, which are now in their ninth year, take place at the Dingle Food Festival in October. The largest blind-tasted Food Awards on the island, attracted a huge level of interest last year, with more than 2,500 entries.

“These are what I call the People’s Awards. Our judging system is very rigorous. Our judges come from a range of food backgrounds; they are food scientists, chefs, restaurateurs, academics, journalists, authors, food champions, caterers and enthusiastic home cooks,” said chairperson of the Irish Food Awards, Artie Clifford.

“Every product that carries a Finalist, Gold, Silver or Bronze sticker is picked up more quickly than those without. Our research has shown that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition amongst Irish consumers and using the award logo on pack has made a significant difference to businesses,” he said.

Una Fitzgibbon, marketing director, Bord Bia also pointed out that “applicants benefit from a supportive and highly useful judging process and all winners gain with added value to profile, reputation and market positioning”.

Sharon Greene from the Wild Irish Foragers and Preservers who won Best New Product 2015 for its Honeysuckle Shrub, said of the awards that they increased sales and gave us “that personal boost to keep on striving to achieve our goals”. Meanwhile Ruth Ormistion from Cornude Popcorn, who won AIB Best Start-Up 2015 and Gold for its Pistachio Caramel Popcorn said their Blas experience “provided a fuel needed to continue in the trying road of bringing product to market”.

Entries are open until 17 June, with early bird entries closing on 30 April. To enter, head to www.irishfoodawards.com.

Read More: Blas food producers Irish Food Awards

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