Food and drink producers, representing Laois Taste, have won a total of 12 medals at the recent Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.
These awards are the biggest blind-tasting of produce in the country – to win here is quite an achievement.
The Blas na hEireann takes place in Dingle every year as part of the Dingle Food Festival.
The awards attract food writers, chefs and keynote speakers from various parts of the hospitality industry.
Laois Taste has 26 members, seven of whom were Finalists in this year’s awards.
Finalists included:
- The Village Dairy,
- Ballykilcavan Brewing Company,
- Mueller & O’Connell,
- Aghaboe Farm Foods,
- Abbey Farm Foods,
- Ion Oil,
- Temptation Chocolates.
The Village Dairy in Clonmore won an incredible five medals, including three Gold Medals.
They won top prize for their Dunnes Stores Simply Better Single Source Jersey Cream, as well as another two Golds in the Milk category for their Village Dairy Jersey Milk, and Simply Better Jersey Milk.
They picked up a Bronze Medal for their Village Dairy Organic Milk and another Bronze for their Village Dairy Fresh Cream.
Laois Tasste described the father/daughter team of Noel and Shelley Barcoe as “truly best in class.”
Ballykilcavan Brewing Company won the Best in Tipperary Award along with a Gold Medal for their Blackwell Stout in the Beers, Porters & Stouts category.
Abbeyleix bakery, Mueller & O’Connell won a Silver for their innovative Lemon Meringue Cruffin, with their Rye Sourdough bread also nominated.
Niamh Maher from Aghaboe Farm Foods also won a Silver Medal for her fabulous creation of a Trio of Christmas Cakes.
The consistenly great Abbey Farm Foods were up for more awards again this year, winning a Silver Medal for Grainne’s Rasberry Conserve, and a Bronze for their Lidl Deluxe Mixed Fruit Preserve.
Markus and Andreas Milley from Ion Oil worked tirelessly, showcasing Laois Taste products and hosting tastings of their many cold pressed oils.
They won a Silver Medal for their Hazelnut Oil, and a Bronze for their Sunflower Oil.
“This was a super event for Laois Taste producers to be part of,” said Liz Kennedy of Laois Taste.
“Laois food and drink is a really great place and the results of the Awards highlight the quality of products produced in Laois.”
Laois Taste was also well represented in the Eat Ireland in a Day Pavillion – part of the Blas awards which hosted food and drink producers from around the country over the three days.
There was also a win for Catherine O’Callaghan from Cocoa Couture – a Mountmellick chocolatier – who is not affiliated to Laois Taste.
More details on Laois Taste producers, products, hampers and suppliers can be found on laoistaste.ie and on their social media platforms of Instagram and Facebook.
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