Wexford is celebrating the results of the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards again with 31 awards going to the Model County. The 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards is now in their 18th year and is firmly established as the largest and most influential food awards on the island of Ireland. The 2025 Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards was hosted from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th October in Dingle, Co. Kerry with a packed programme of events shining a spotlight on the very best of Irish food and drink.
The winners from Co. Wexford are ABP Irish Country Meats, Tirlán, Killowen Farm, Zanna Cookhouse Ltd, Ryans Bakery Wexford Ltd, Zaeire Artisan Chocolates, Killiane Castle Honey, Well Preserved Limited with Mór Taste, Elderberry Farm Produce, Stable Diet, Naturally Cordial Ltd, Eurospar Bunclody, Stafford’s Irish Bakeries and Bean and Goose with Zanna Cookhouse awarded ‘Best in County’ sponsored by Wexford Local Enterprise Office.
Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards are open to all 32 counties across the island of Irelan and judging took place earlier this year in June and July in partnership with UCC. Finalists were announced in mid-August. There were over 3,000 entries across more than 180 categories with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year, reflecting the strength and diversity of Irish food and drink. Food Producers entered products from every county in Ireland to compete for bronze, silver and gold 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.
Speaking after the announcement, Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, said:
“Every year the standard rises, and 2025 has been no exception. To see such talented producers from Co. Wexford, represented on the shortlist, and now to celebrate the winners from that county, is a real testament to the skill, creativity and resilience of Ireland’s food producers. Making it to the finalist stage alone is a huge achievement, and to win at Blas is something of which to be incredibly proud. Irish food and drink continues to go from strength to strength, and it is a joy to celebrate that strength and that community here in Dingle.”
Speaking about the importance of the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards Breege Cosgrave, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development at Wexford County Council said:
“We are immensely proud to see Wexford food and drink producers recognised once again at the Blas na hÉireann Awards. These accolades are a testament not only to the outstanding quality of produce coming from our county, but also to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of the entrepreneurs behind these products. The Blas awards provide a vital independent benchmark of excellence in the Irish food and drink sector, and we commend the organisers for their continued commitment to celebrating and supporting the best of Irish produce.”
Speaking about the success of the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards for Wexford, Chairperson of the Wexford Food Producers Network Paul Kehoe said:
“It has been a truly incredible result for Wexford this year at the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Awards with eighteen Wexford food producers being selected as finalists for these nationally recognised awards.This is a remarkable result and a true testament to the dedication and commitment of Wexford’s food and beverage 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”.
The Wexford Food Producers Network provides a centralised member led and member representative organisation with a core remit to promote and support the business of Wexford food. The organisation has approximately fifty members who are Wexford based sole traders, SME’s and large companies. Their continued aim is to support Wexford food producers, to build a sustainable food industry and to contribute significantly to the Irish economy on a local, regional, national and international level through the export markets.
Blas na hÉireann 2025 saw the return of the Blas Village and the Wexford Food Producers Network hosted a ‘Wexford’ Stand in the ‘Eat Ireland in a Day’ marquee supported by Local Enterprise Office Wexford, where this year’s Wexford finalists got the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with key food industry buyers and meet new customers over the weekend with Dingle Food Festival visitors attending on Saturday and Sunday.
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. This year Wexford’s Owen Mullins, Zanna Cookhouse was featured on the panel.
Wexford’s leading food producer ladies Clodagh Davis, Naturally Cordial, Grainne Keneally Quirke, Elderberry Farm and Catherine Kinsella, Saltrock Dairy featured live on stage at the Meet the Maker – ‘Wexford Wonders’ discussion panel moderated by Blas Supreme Champion Anthony O’Toole.
Sustainability once again remained a key focus, with the event continuing to build on its waste-free commitments and support a more conscious future for Irish food.
The Wexford Food Producers Network is recognised and supported by Wexford County Council, Wexford Local Enterprise Office and Wexford Local Development. The Wexford Food Producers Network engages with the Department of Agriculture, Food & The Marine and with national agencies Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Ornua –The Irish Dairy Board and Fáilte Ireland on various important issues for the Irish Food & Drinks sector.
FBD is the ‘Preferred Insurance Partner’ of The Wexford Food Producers Network.
WEXFORD CELEBRATES 2025 BLAS NA HEIREANN AWARD WINNERS
