Donegal trio in the frame as Blas na hÉireann 2019 winners announced

Blas na hÉireann, the Irish food awards, announced this year’s winners, with three producers from County Donegal among the winners announced at the 2019 finals which concluded on Sunday afternoon in Dingle.

Now in their 12th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them.

The bronze, silver and gold winners from Donegal across a range of different categories are Green Pastures Donegal, Island Seafoods Ltd, Harnett's Oils. With Supreme Champion going to Green Pastures Donegal for their Green Pastures Donegal soft cheese.

The biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Products entered are blind-tasted, meaning that all packaging and identifying features are removed from products before being presented for judging, creating a level playing field for products from both large and small producers. Judges come from a range of food backgrounds from chefs to restaurateurs, academics, journalists, authors, food champions, caterers and enthusiastic home cooks.

The founding mission of Blas – establishing quality benchmarks for Irish produce on a level playing field – is strictly adhered to and measurably applied.

Speaking after the announcement Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann said: “Blas na Éireann 2019 has been another exceptional year showcasing the talents and hard work of some of this country’s most innovative, forward-thinking and disciplined food entrepreneurs.

"This is our 12th year of the Blas na hÉireann awards, and our aim continues to be to assist Irish producers to tell their stories by marking them out as special, and worth exploring.

"Winning a Blas award has been shown to work for our previous winners in bringing them to the attention of food-lovers both at home and abroad and we are looking forward to yet another exceptional year for our worthy winners of Blas na hÉireann 2019.”

CAPTION IN FULL FOR IMAGE USED AVOVE: Heather Kingston, from Green Pastures Donegal Donegal who won Silver for their Dunnes Stores Goats Milk "at Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards. Pictured with Artie Clifford, Chairman of Blas na hÉireann and Shane Ryan, Cross Refrigeration and Catering.