Food NI Members’ Success In Dingle
Dingle in Co. Kerry was thronged with foodie types for the annual Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards. As expected, Food NI members came home with a good share of the iconic crystal trophies.
Now in their 19th year, the Blas na hEireann awards are the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland.
In Meats, Karro won Bronze for their Lidl Bacon Unsmoked Ribs 500g.
In Poultry and Eggs, Cavanagh Free-Range Eggs won Gold and Silver awards for 12 Medium and 6 Large packs respectively.
In Dairy, Morelli’s took two Gold awards in for Mango Sorbet and Wild Berries Frozen Yoghurt. Dale Farm won Gold in Dairy for their Tesco NI Salted Butter 250g. There was a Gold prize for Drayne’s Farm Double Cream, and Bronze for their Barista Whole Milk. Abernethy’s Christmas Butter won Bronze.
The Ready Meals and Prepared Foods Category saw Avondale Foods take Silver for their Dunnes Stores Super Green Salad while Deli Lites won Bronze for a Clean Cut Meals Torn Irish Ham and Mature Cheddar Bloomer.
Krumb Bakery won three Silver awards in Breads and Cakes; one for Buttermilk Batch Bread, one for Sourdough/Country Loaf and another for Lemon Meringue Tart. Counter Culture won Gold with their Pork, Cranberry and Cheddar Sausage Roll.
Melting Pot won Gold for Salted Caramel and Silver for their Traditional Butter (both 90g bars) in the Fudge (Confectionery) category.
In Breakfast Cereals, White’s Oats were awarded Silver for Kavanagh’s Organic Oats Jumbo 750g. Brownlee Preserved won Gold for their Raspberry Preserve in the Jam category. Thompson’s Peppermint Tea got a Silver award in Herbal and Fruit Teas.
En Place Foods won Bronze in Savoury Pantry with Wild Cranberry Chutney 250g. Burren Balsamics’ Blackberry and Thyme Infused Balsamic Vinegar of Modena won Gold in Vinegars. Natural Umber’s Umber Plus won Silver in Apple Cider Vinegars. Yumbo also won Silver for their Apple Crisp Granola.
Glens of Antrim won Gold in Savoury Pantry for their Tesco Finest Crinkle Cut Salt and Vinegar Crisps and Bronze for Dunnes Stores’ Simply Better Hand Cooked Crinkle Cut Whiskey Smoked Bacon Crisps.
Longbridge Drinks’ Belfast Coffee Cola won Silver in the Non Alcoholic Carbonated Drinks section. Moocha Kombucha’s Cola flavour won Gold in Non Alcoholic Fermented Drinks. Rademon Estate’s Shortcross Irish Poitin and Shortcross Bramble Cocktail won Gold and Silver respectively in the Spirits category. There was a Silver award in Speciality Ciders for Long Meadow’s Rhubarb and Honey Cider.
Frankie and Eileen’s Craft Gin won Gold in the Gin section. Dundarave Estate’s Spiced Apple and Gin Liqueur won Silver in Liqueurs while Paula McIntyre’s Sloe Gin Spirit Drink won Bronze. Both Dundarave Estates and Paula McIntyre’s winning drinks are made by Basalt Distillery.
A Chef’s Larder award was given to En Place Foods for their Black Garlic Miso.
The Supreme Champion Award went to Aran Bakery from Kilkenny.
Congratulations to all.
