51 Cork producers head to Blas with hope for success

Across a range of products from black pudding to Christmas pudding, 51 fantastic producers from Cork making it through to the final stage of Ireland’s most prestigious food awards.

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards 2026, have been announced and the countdown is on for the return to Dingle this autumn, where the very best of Irish food and drink will be celebrated from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October at the Blas Village, Showcase, Eat Ireland in a Day market. The award winners will be announced on Friday 2 October.

Now in its 19th year, Blas na hÉireann continues to grow, with more than 3,000 entries submitted from across the island, and a record number of new producers taking part. The number of food and drink categories has also increased from 170 to over 200 this year.

Bronze, silver and gold awards are presented across the food and drink categories, alongside major accolades including Supreme Champion, supported by Bord Bia and Best Artisan Producer, supported by the LEO Network.

The judging, which took place over June and July in partnership with UCC and TU Dublin, is blind-tasted and scored by a network of expert judges, including chefs, buyers, academics, restaurateurs, and industry leaders. Only the top entries from each category make it to the finalist stage, which is a huge achievement in itself.

The finalists shortlisted from county Cork across a wide range of categories are: Alternative Christmas Pudding Co., Bandon Vale Cheese, Bantry Bay Mussels, Barry & Fitzwilliam, Bia Beirut, CakeWheelers, Clóna Dairy Products Ltd, Clonakilty Food Co., Clonakilty, Gluten Free Kitchen, Coastal Trading, Cully & Sully, Dripsey Castle Estate, Durrus Cheese, Eight Degrees Brewing, Five Farms, Folláin, Garveys SuperValu Cobh, Hassetts Bakers & Confectioners Ltd, Hyde Irish Whiskey, Hyde Ltd, Irish Yogurts Clonakilty, K O'Connell Fishmongers, Keohane Seafoods, Kepak Ltd, Leahys Open Farm produce, Macroom Buffalo Cheese, McCarthy's of Kanturk, Niks Tea, O’Flynns Gourmet Sausage Co., OGAM Foods Limited, O'Keeffes Bakery/ Irish Country Cuisine, On The Pigs Back, Rebel City Distillery, Regale, SAGE 2 GO, SAGE by, Kev Aherne, Salt of Kinsale Ltd, Saturday Pizzas, Second Street Bakeshop, Sibly Food Co., Silverpail, Skeaghanore West Cork Farm, Spice O' Life, St Patricks Distillery Ltd, Stonewell Cider, The Cultured Food Company, The Good Fish Company, Toons Bridge Dairy, Velo Coffee Roasters, West Cork Distillers and Wildberry Bakery.“We are delighted to see so many Cork city food businesses shortlisted for the finals in Dingle. Recognition from Blas na hÉireann has been invaluable for growing food enterprises,” said Niall O'Keeffe, Head of Enterprise, Cork City Council.

“It’s been another exceptional year for Blas na hÉireann,” said Blas na hÉireann Chairperson Artie Clifford. “The quality and creativity of this year's entries have been outstanding, showcasing the talent, innovation and dedication of food and drink producers across Ireland. Blas is all about celebrating these producers and giving them the recognition they deserve, and we look forward to welcoming them to Dingle this October.”

This year’s Blas na hÉireann weekend will see the return of the hugely popular Eat Ireland in a Day market and the Blas Village, where 2026 finalists can showcase their products, connect with buyers, and meet with fellow producers, media and food lovers from across the country.