Over 350 finalists have been announced for the Blas na hÉireann food awards will take place from Thursday, October 3 to Saturday, October 5 in Dingle.
The Blas awards are known for their blind tasting process, developed in collaboration with the Food Science Department of University College Cork (UCC), and set as an international industry standard for judging food products.
A panel of judges, including chefs, academics, and food enthusiasts, ensures impartiality as no retailers or producers with vested interests are involved in the assessment process.
The judging method involves blind tastings, eliminating branding influences, which creates a fair environment for all contenders regardless of their production scale, resulting in only five finalists per category.
UCC plays a role in the organisation and implementation of the scientific aspects of the awards, with strong ties to the University of Copenhagen, enhancing the sensory training and evaluation of the judges.
Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann is the premier competition for quality Irish produce, culminating in a celebration held annually in Dingle, where producers showcase their products and engage with customers and industry buyers.
Entries for the awards opened on March 17, with the largest blind tasting in Ireland occurring in June and July. 3,000 products from all counties participated across more than 150 food and drink categories.
The awards feature prestigious recognitions in ten categories including bronze, silver, gold, Supreme Champion, and Best Artisan Producer, highlighting the resilience and passion of Irish food producers.
The Blas accreditation is valued among Irish consumers, enhancing product marketability and significantly benefiting winners’ businesses, with a robust judging system developed in collaboration with the Food Science Department at UCC.
Morrell’s ice cream won the overall award in 2023.
The Dingle Food Festival is an event which has grown to be one of the most recognised and well attended food events in Ireland. The festival will include a series of 70+ Taste Trail, cookery demonstrations, wine tastings, food related workshops, a foraging walk and a fantastic food market. www.dinglefood.com
