Blas na hEireann Award Winners
Several Food NI members made the annual trip to Kerry for the Blas na h Eireann Irish Food Awards.
Networking aside, many of them took home crystal trophies. The awards were announced online and at an in-person ceremony at the Phoenix Cinema, Dingle on Friday 3rd October, 2025. Now in their 18th year, the awards are the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland.
Jackson Roze took two awards in Veg-Based Drinks; Bronze for a Ginger and Turmeric Shot and Gold for their Regular Strength Ginger Wine. In Non-Alcoholic Fermented Drinks, there was a Gold for Moocha Kombucha’s Elderflower and Lemon flavour.
Paula McIntyre’s Blackberry and Honey Rum collaboration with Basalt Distillery got a Gold award. Long Meadow Cider won two awards; Silver for Berry Blast and Bronze for their Oak Aged blends.
There were two Chef’s Larder prizes for En Place. They won with Pickled Sour Cherries in Sweet Cherry Vinegar and Islander Kelp Salsa Verde.
Best in County plaudits went to Glens of Antrim for Antrim; Natural Umber for Armagh; Paula McIntyre Catering for Derry; En Place Foods got the Tyrone award and also the Best in Ulster Shane McArdle prize.
In Ready Meals, Avondale Foods won Bronze with their Simply Better Slow Roasted Sunblush Tomato Orzo and Regato Salad for Dunnes Stores. Deli Lites also won a Bronze award in this category for their Musgrave Torn Irish Ham and Mature Cheddar Cheese on Malted Bloomer.
Papas Mineral Company won Silver with their Dark Clove Cordial as did Thompson’s for Peppermint Tea.
Glens of Antrim won Gold with their Simply Better for Dunnes Hand-Cooked Crinkle Cut Sea Salt and Vinegar Crisps.
In Sweet Snacks, S’morealicious won Bronze for Vanilla Marshmallow while Kestrel Foods took Silver for their Peppermint Cream and Dark Chocolate Almonds.
In Breakfast Cereals, there was a Silver prize for White’s Oats who won with their Quick and Oaty Instant Oats Mixed Berries. Dundarave Estate took Gold for their Blackberry and Lime jam.
Crawford’s Rock won Bronze with Christmas Dinner Seasoning in Salts, while Favourit Foods also won Bronze with their Perfect for Air Fryer Steak Seasoning. In Vinegars, Burren Balsamics won silver for their Date, Z’atar and Cinnamon Infused Balsamic of Modena while En Place won Gold for Apple and Elderflower.
In Savoury Snacks, there was a Bronze award for Kestrel Foods Truffle and Pecorino Nut Mix and another Bronze for L’Artisan Foods’ Cassava Fritter with Beef Braised Rib.
Congratulations to all our members who bring our powerful food and drink story far and wide.
