Entries open for 2018 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards

Let the entries commence for this year’s Irish Food Awards.

With St. Patrick’s Day done and dusted, applications are now open for Blas na hÉireann 2018. Each year the awards celebrate and recognise the very best in Irish food and drink.

Blas na hÉireann take place annually on the first weekend in October. Set against the backdrop of the Dingle Peninsula Food Festival the awards and events throughout the weekend are a fantastic opportunity to meet with producers, trade and press.

The Blas na hÉireann Awards and the Dingle Peninsula Food Festival have grown to be one of the most recognised and well attended food events in Ireland.

In the past few years the first weekend in October has become a critical date in the food industry’s calender. Importantly, the festival and awards have retained a sense of informality while becoming a key business event.

Glenstal Foods claimed the title of Supreme Champion in 2017 for their Salted Butter. Burren Balsamics took the Best Artisan crown for their Blackberry & Thyme-infused balsamic vinegar.

Key Dates for the 2018 Irish Food Awards

• March 17: Open for entry online
• April 30: Earlybird closes
• June 15: Final date for entry
• June / July: Initial Judging
• August: Finalists Notified
• October 4-6
  • Finalist Judging
  • Workshops& Masterclasses
  • Blas na hÉireann awards presented and producer networking events

The biggest blind taste judging in Ireland

The Blas awards are the biggest blind tasting of produce in the country. The criteria on which each product is judged as well as the judging system itself is now recognised as an international industry standard.

How to Enter the Irish Food Awards

If you’re an Irish food or drink producer and want to put your product forward, get started here.