Calling all Meath producers: Blas na hÉireann 2023 entries close on May 17th

Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2023 will close on 17th May and Meath food producers are being urged to enter.

Last year, following a two-year hiatus from an in-person event, the much-anticipated return to Dingle was a moment of magic as friends, colleagues, producers and makers finally got together again to celebrate, and the excitement for this September is already building.

Blas na hÉireann is the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink. Entries are open to producers across all categories of food and drink and will finally close for this year’s awards on May 17th.

"Participating in the Blas na hÉireann awards is one of the highlights of the year for small food companies in Meath.” said Joe English, Meath LEO. “It is not just the national exposure they get, but the experience of participating in the preparation and judging process along with invaluable insights they get from the organisers."

“Being back together in person again last year reminded us all how important these awards are on so many levels,” says Blas na hÉireann Chairman, Artie Clifford, “creating a sense of community and support, as well as a feeling of pride and ownership in that community. The judges were blown away by the quality of the produce last year and the winners and finalists were genuinely so happy to be back in a room together again, celebrating their own wins and each other’s successes. I am looking forward as ever to seeing what this year has to bring, as well as discovering new products we haven’t seen before. We were particularly thrilled last year with the new addition of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland experience which we are bringing back again this year.”

This is the 16th year of Blas na hÉireann and last year saw a huge increase in entries to over 3,000, the highest on record, with many producers entering the awards for the first time. Together with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, the team at Blas worked to develop a blind-tasting judging system that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Winners are always the best Blas ambassadors, something to which over a decade’s worth of small producers, farmers, growers, bakers and artisan food makers who have won a Blas award and proudly put the winner’s sticker on their product can attest. Research has shown that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition among Irish consumers and having the award logo on products encourages shoppers to buy – it is a recognised guarantee of a top-quality Irish product.

Entries for Blas na hÉireann will close on 17th May and are €90 per entry (ex VAT).

www.irishfoodawards.com