Donegal success on the double at Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards

Two inspiring Artisan food producers from Donegal have won coveted awards at the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards held in Kerry.

Artisan Kombucha producer Marianne O’Donnell’s Sláinte - Turmeric Ginger and honey Kombucha captured the silver. 

Gortahork native Marianne’s innovative use of traditional Irish ingredients, such as carrageen moss and dillisk, to develop a line of refreshing kombuchas has certainly caught the attention of the Irish food community. Her brand, Kombucha na Dálaigh, which started as an experiment during the Covid lockdown, has today become very popular in cafes and delicatessens across Donegal and Ulster.

Sian McCann’s traditional Potato Bread, a homage to the rich culinary history of Donegal, won a bronze award. 

Dunfanaghy native Sian's Wild Fuschia Bakehouse has been instrumental in reviving the age-old Donegal recipes, transforming them into delightful bread and scone mixes. Since 2017, Sian McCann has been at the forefront of Donegal's food revolution, initially opening a bakery in Dunfanaghy and later pivoting to online retail and bread mixes amidst the pandemic.

The Blas na hEireann Awards, now in its 16th year, witnessed record-breaking entries, numbering almost 3,000, showcasing the incredible talent and diversity of the Irish food industry. As the spotlight remains on Donegal's culinary artisans, it's evident that the county has firmly etched its name on Ireland's gourmet map.

Both Marianne and Sian expressed their delight at their wins, emphasising the spirit of collaboration and mutual support within the Donegal food community and Donegal Food Coast, with great support from Udaras and LEO. The duo, along with Cindy Adamek from Coco Milis, have also established Donegal Wild Atlantic Flavours, a series of workshops aimed at introducing consumers to their artisanal creations.  

 “It’s great working together and we all enjoy delivering the classes, we are all really looking forward to the next workshop on Saturday, October 21, in Arnolds’s Hotel in Dunfanaghy,” she said.

For these passionate food artisans, the journey has been both challenging and rewarding. As Donegal continues to celebrate its rich culinary heritage and modern innovations, Marianne and Sian's achievements at Blas na hEireann are a testament to the county's unstoppable momentum.