WEXFORD CELEBRATES 2024 BLAS NA HEIREANN AWARD WINNERS
Wexford is celebrating the results of the recent Blas na hÉireann Awards with 32 awards going to 17 Wexford food producers from the Model County.
Blas na hÉireann 2024, the Irish Food Awards took place from Thursday 3rd October to Saturday 5th October, celebrating the very best of Irish food and drink. Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties. Judging took place during June and July and awards were announced on 4th October.
The winners from Co. Wexford are Irish Country Meats, Regan Organic Produce, Killowen Farm, Zanna Cookhouse Ltd, Pettitt’s Supervalu, Furlongs Food Hall, Ryans Bakery Wexford Ltd, Kellys Bakery, Bramble Cottage Kitchen, Zaeire Artisan Chocolates, Wexford Home Preserves, Killiane Castle Honey, Wexford Sea Salt, Well Preserved Limited, Isle of Crackers ltd, Elderberry Farm and Naturally Cordial Ltd with Killowen Farm awarded ‘Best in County’.
Speaking as the winners were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said:
“Every year, the standard is raised even higher, and it’s an honour for myself and the entire Blas team to showcase these exceptional products and the dedicated producers behind them to a wider audience.”We are once again delighted to celebrate such deserving winners at Blas na hÉireann 2024. After seventeen years of these awards, it’s inspiring to witness the continued innovation and quality in our food and drink industry here on the island of Ireland.”
Speaking about the success of the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards for Wexford, Stacey Williams, Interim Managing Director of The Wexford Food Producers Network said:
“It has been a truly incredible result for Wexford this year at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards with 17 Wexford food producers winning 32 awards. This is a remarkable result and a true testament to the dedication and commitment of Wexford’s food production sector who work tirelessly to produce quality foods each year. On behalf of The Wexford Food Producers Network we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all of the Wexford winners this year and we wish them all continued success”.
Blas na hÉireann 2024 saw the return of the Blas Village where this year’s finalists got the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers. The festival focused market ‘Eat Ireland in a Day’ was back for a third year and included a brand new Meet the Maker stage.
The Backyard at Blas, in partnership with Bank of Ireland delivered an impressive line up of key industry speakers once again, both in person to the attendees and live streamed. Lucy Ryan, Head of Food and Beverage Sector, Bank of Ireland said:
“The growth of Blas na hÉireann each year is testament to the strength of the indigenous food and drink industry, with the ever-expanding number of producers continuing to innovate, and impress the judges with the range of their ambition. Bank of Ireland is delighted to continue supporting Blas na hÉireann, and congratulates all the award winners for the sustained excellence of their entries.”
Now in its 17th year, Blas na hÉireann saw another strong year across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year.
During the judging, which took place throughout June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged. Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 170 food and drink categories as well as key awards. As the competition intensifies each year, earning the prestigious Blas accreditation is a significant accomplishment, signifying that the shortlisted finalists and eventual winners represent the pinnacle of excellence in Irish food and drink.
Congratulations to our Proud Member Leigh Kelly, Zaeire Artisan Chocolate who has won ‘Gold’ recently at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle !
Category: Confectionery
Gold Winner: Zaeire Artisan Chocolate
Product: Zaeire Hazelnut Praline Pops
Congratulations to one of our founding members Owen, Lorna and David Mullins from Zanna Cookhouse who have won 3 Awards at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle.
Ready Meals & Prepared Foods – Savoury Quiches and Pies
Zanna Cookhouse
1 x Gold – Simply Better Quiche Lorraine
1 x Bronze – Brie Rocket & Cranberry Quiche
1 x Bronze – Simply Better Lasagne, Ready Meals & Prepared Foods (Hot)
Wishing Owen, Lorna and David Mullins and the team at Zanna Cookhouse our warmest congratulations and continued success !
Congratulations to our Proud Member Clodagh Davis of Naturally Cordial who won a ‘Gold’ and ‘Silver Award at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle.
Category: Cordials
Winner: Gold – Naturally Cordial Orange & Pink Lemonade Cordial
Silver Winner: Naturally Cordial Pink Grapefruit
Warmest congratulations to Clodagh Davis of Naturally Cordial on this wonderful achievement !
Congratulations to our Proud Member at Irish Country Meats who won 7 Awards in the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle.
Irish Country Meats ( ABP) have won 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze Awards.
Well done to all at Irish Country Meats !
Congratulations to one of our founding members Tom and Laura Sinnott of Wexford Home Preserves who have just won ‘Gold’ in the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle !!
Category: Sweet Pantry Conserve
Winner: Gold – Wexford Home Preserves
Product: Wexford Blackcurrant Jam
This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Tom and Laura and the team at Wexford Home Preserves.Wishing them all our warmest congratulations from the Wexford Food Family !!!
Congratulations to our Proud Members Killiane Castle Irish Honey / All About Nectar who have just won ‘Silver’ at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle !!
Category: Sweet Pantry Honey
Winner: Silver – Killiane Castle Irish Honey
Product: Soft Set Honey
Warmest congratulations to Ian & Marie and the Mernagh family from The Wexford Food Producers Network !!!
Congratulations to our Proud Members Kevin and Jack N’Guinan of Wexford Sea Salt who have won ‘Gold’ recently at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle !!
Category: Savoury Salt
Winner: Gold – Wexford Sea Salt
Product: Hand Harvested Wexford Natural Sea Salt Flakes
Warmest congratulations to Kevin & Jack N’Guinan of Wexford Sea Salt from The Wexford Food Producers Network on winning ‘Gold’ at their very first Blas na hEireann Awards!!⭐️
We are all so proud of you both !
Congratulations to our Proud Member Regan Organic Farm who won a ‘Bronze’ Award at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle yesterday!
Category: Poultry Chicken
Winner: ‘Bronze’ Regan Organic Produce
Product: Regan Organic Chicken
Warmest congratulations to Mary Regan and all the team at Regan’s Organic Farm from all of us at The Wexford Food Producers Network !
Congratulations to our Proud Member Killowen Farm on winning 3 ‘Gold’ Awards and ‘Best in County Wexford’ at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards in Dingle yesterday.
Category: Cream Cheese
Winner: ‘Gold’ – Killowen Farm
Product: Tesco Finest Natural Cream Cheese 180g tub.
Category: Cream Cheese
Winner: ‘Gold’ – Killowen Farm
Product: Killowen Farm Cream Cheese
Category: Cream Cheese
Winner: ‘Gold’ – Killowen Farm
Product: Simply Better Irish Original Cream Cheese 180g.
Congratulations to our Proud Member Tim Nickerson, Isle of Crackers on winning a Bronze Award for his handmade artisan crackers at the 2024 Blas na hEireann Awards yesterday in Dingle.
Category: Savoury Snacks – Crackers
Winner: ‘Bronze’ Isle of Crackers, Wexford
Product: Black Olive Cracker
Warmest congratulations to Tim Nickerson and Isle of Crackers from the Wexford Food Producers Network !!