Blas na hÉireann Cork Finalists 2023 Announced

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards, 2023 have been announced and the countdown is now on for the return of the awards weekend to the pretty seaside town of Dingle. The three-day event will take place from Thursday September 28th to Saturday 30th September. 

After the joyous reunion of last year’s in-person event for the first time in two years, the excitement is already building and the Blas team are hard at work preparing for the arrival of food and drink producers across Ireland to celebrate the very best of Irish. 

Now in its 16th year, Blas na hÉireann saw its highest entries from across all categories along with many new producers entering the awards for the first time this year. During the judging, which took place over June and July, over 3,000 entries were judged, the highest on record.

“The Blas na hÉireann awards are the highlight of the year for Cork producers as it pits their produce against the best that this country has to offer.” said  Joe Burke, Assistant Head of Enterprise, LEO South Cork. “We are very fortunate to have such awards that provide consumers’ reassurance of the quality and excellences of our producers. Cork producers are always well represented at Blas and receive many accolades and awards. We would like to complement the hard-working committee, judges, and sponsors of the awards which without them would not be possible. The Cork Local Enterprise Offices (South, North/West & City) are glad to be one of the sponsors of the awards and wish Blas continued success.” 

The finalists shortlisted from Co. Cork across a range of different categories are Alternative Christmas Pudding Company, Andrea’s Kitchen, Bandon Vale Cheese, Bantry Bay Seafoods, Blackwater Honey, Bluebell Falls ltd, Bó Rua Farm, Carbery Group, Clares Homemade Hummus, Clóna Dairy Products Ltd., Clonakilty Food Company, Clonakilty Gluten Free Kitchen, Coolmore Foods, Folláin, Fresh Fish Deli, Frodo Ltd, Gloun Cross Dairy, Hanleys Puddings Ltd, Hassetts Bakers & Confectioners ltd., Irish Yogurts Ltd, Keohane Seafoods, Kepak, Kinsale Mead Co, Kinsale Spirit, Leahys Open farm, Macroom Buffalo Cheese Products Ltd, Malay Kitchen, McCarthy’s of Kanturk, Niamh’s Larder, North Cork Creameries, O’Callaghan’s Cafe and Deli Ltd, O’Keeffes Bakery, O’Leary’s Family Butchers, On The Pigs Back, Original 7 Beverage Co, Sage Restaurant, Second Street Bakeshop, Secret Recipe Limited, Shannonvale, Silver Pail Dairy, Spice O Life Ltd, Stonewell Cider & Nohoval Apple Wine, The Good Fish Company, The Sibly Food Company, Tom Durcan Meats Ltd, Toons Bridge Dairy, Velo Coffee Roasters, Walls Chips, West Cork Distillers, Wildberry Bakery and Ardsallagh Goat’s Cheese.

Speaking as the finalists were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, “After last year’s success, we are thrilled to be back again. The Blas village and Eat Ireland in a Day tents were a fantastic addition and created brilliant awareness for the finalists and winners to both the public and key industry people.  Seeing so many new producers enter this year is testament to the fantastic produce Ireland has to offer and I am looking forward to celebrating past and new finalists and winners again this year.”

This year’s Blas na hÉireann awards in Dingle will see the return of last year’s new additions including the Eat Ireland in a Day tent and the Blas Village where the 2023 finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.

With over 3,000 products entered in this year’s Blas na hÉireann, making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of. The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are short listed as finalists really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink. 

For finalist producers it is not just their exceptional food & drink which will be celebrated in Dingle but the people themselves, the passionate producers who make the very best of Irish will be recognised and rewarded making this autumn’s Blas na hÉireann a food event not to be missed!