Blas na hÉireann 2021 winners announced, with seven producers winning from County Wicklow

In a year like no other, Blas na hÉireann have just announced the award winners for 2021, with seven winners from County Wicklow.

With the annual pilgrimage to Dingle stalled, this year’s winners tuned in for a second year running from every corner of the country for a virtual celebration of the very best in Irish food.

The team at Blas na hÉireann has been working tirelessly since March to ensure that Blas 2021 went ahead, sustaining their commitment to celebrating the very best in Irish food and drink. Chairperson Artie Clifford feels that now, more than ever, it is essential to shine a light and give that all-important boost to the talented producers dotted around the island.

“These are the 14th annual Blas na hÉireann awards,” says Artie, “and despite the very challenging situation, I am delighted to report a record entry level from producers right across the island. This large increase in entries has raised the bar across all categories, allowing us to introduce new products and producers to the buyers and press with whom we work, which is really exciting. Congratulations to all the winners and to every producer who participated. It is always such a rewarding experience to see the wealth of exceptional foods being produced on the island of Ireland, and this has been the best year yet.”

Now in their 14th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them. The biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Products from every county in Ireland were entered into this year’s competition to win Gold, Silver or Bronze Blas na hÉireann awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.

 The bronze, silver and gold winners from Wicklow across a range of different categories are:

1. Avoca Ireland Silver & Bronze
2. Ballyhubbock Farm – Bronze (Wicklow Naturally member)
3. Clare Anne Taylor Couture Cakes – Bronze (Wicklow Naturally member)
4. Kerry Foods – Bronze
5. The Butler’s Pantry – Gold & Best in County
6. The Happy Pear – Silver & Bronze
7. Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Ltd. – Bronze (Wicklow Naturally member)

Congratulations to all of the winners from all of us at Wicklow Naturally.

About Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards

Often dubbed the Oscars of Irish food, Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties. The judging took place in Dingle during July this year and finalists were notified in August. The final Blas na hÉireann 2021 awards were announced virtually on October 2nd.

The biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide. Products entered are blind-tasted, meaning that all packaging and identifying features are removed from products before being presented for judging, creating a level playing field for products from both large and small producers. Judges come from a range of food backgrounds from chefs to restaurateurs, academics, journalists, authors, food champions, caterers and enthusiastic home cooks.

Read more here.