Producers, make your mark on Blas na hÉireann

Cork food producers can still get thier entries in to one of the biggest competitions for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland.

Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards are now open and in its 19th year, Blas it has grown into the arguably definitive benchmark for excellence in Irish food and drink.

Each year, the awards culminate in a famously buzzy and exciting celebration in Dingle, where the Blas Village transforms the town into a national meeting point for Ireland’s food community.

Producers travel from every corner of the country to gather in the heart of Dingle, showcasing their products, meeting customers, connecting with key industry buyers, and celebrating the very best of Irish produce. For finalists and winners, it is an unparalleled opportunity to place their products on a national stage.

The scale of the awards continues to grow year on year. In 2025, more than 3,000 products were entered, including a significant number of first-time producers, with entries coming from every county in Ireland.

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 and Best Artisan Producer.

The judging process, carried out in partnership with UCC, represents the largest blind tasting on the island of Ireland, taking place throughout June and July and ensuring a rigorous, independent assessment of every entry.

In addition. the Best in County award is sponsored by Cork LEOs.

“Making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of,” said Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann. “The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are short-listed as finalists really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink.”

For producers in Cork, participation offers more than the chance to win an award; it is an opportunity to join a national network of like-minded food makers, gain industry recognition and build new connections that can support long-term growth.

Entries are now open at www.irishfoodawards.com. Final deadline for submissions is Thursday 14 May.

Finalists will be notified in mid-August, with the Blas na hÉireann awards presented on 2 October as part of the Blas Village celebrations in Dingle, running from 1 to 4 October.