Success at Blas na hÉireann 2023
All roads led to Dingle for Blas na hÉireann 2023, the Irish food awards, with the three-day celebration of the best of Irish food and drink which took place from Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th September.
As ever, Food NI members were well represented, with one even taking home the Supreme Champion Award.
Morellis took that accolade for their Mango Sorbet which also won Best in County and Best in Ulster. The product uses real mango sorbet with no dairy or lactose products.
“Our grandparents and parents would be ecstatic, and we are very proud to carry on their legacy” said Arnaldo Morelli, MD at Morelli Ice-Cream.
The other member winners from Co. Derry-Londonderry are Carol’s Stock Market, Milgro and William Grant and Company.
The winners from Co. Down are Crawfords Rock Seaweed Company, Longbridge Drinks Co (Best in County), Mash Direct and The Copeland Distillery
The Food NI member winners from Co. Armagh are Avondale Foods, Burren Balsamics, CRAIC Foods, L’Artisan Foods (Best in County), Mac Ivors Cider and Natural Umber.
The winners from Co. Antrim are Basalt Distillery, Dundarave Estate, Golden Popcorn, Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative, Melting Pot Fudge, Our Brewery by Geterbrewed, Suki Tea Makers and The Daily Apron.
Fermanagh winners included Cavanagh Free-Range Eggs, Erin Grove Preserves and Kettyle Irish Foods (Linden Foods) (Best in County).
En Place Foods was a winner in Tyrone.
Food NI CEO Michele Shirlow said “This is a fantastic result for Northern Ireland, Food NI members and proof of the extraordinary talent in our local food and drink scene. Congratulations to everyone and I hope these awards will bring new business for all”.
Speaking as the winners were announced, Blas na hÉireann Chairperson, Artie Clifford said, “We are thrilled to see such deserving winners and finalists again this year at Blas na hÉireann 2023. Looking back on 16 years of Blas, it’s fantastic to see the standard of food and drink in Ireland go from
strength-to-strength year on year. It’s a real privilege for myself and the whole Blas family to bring these products, and the amazing producers who make them, to a much wider audience.”
