Blas na hÉireann finalists 2022 ahead of the award presentations in Dingle on Friday with Blas Chairman Artie Clifford. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Three Westmeath winners at Blas na hÉireann 2022

Published: Sat 1 Oct 2022, 2:09 PM

Last updated: Sat 1 Oct 2022, 4:22 PM

At the Blas na hÉireann finals in Dingle yesterday, there were bronze, silver and gold winners from Westmeath in a range of categories.

They are An Olivia Chocolate, Killua Castle and Rogans Smokehouse, who were also awarded Best in County and a Chef's Larder award for their Smoked Demerara Sugar.

Emma Jane Rogan of Rogan's Smokehouse, Rathowen, with Christine Charlton, LEO Westmeath, and Artie Clifford, chairperson, Blas na hÉireann / Irish Food Awards in Dingle. Photo by Don MacMonagle

This year’s finalists and winners in what are the largest food awards on the island, got to experience the Blas Village for the first time.

Located in the heart of Dingle, the pop-up village was built for producers across the country to come together and celebrate the best of Irish food and drink for the first Bla in-person event in three years.

As well as the awards being held here, finalists and winners had the opportunity to showcase their products, engage with customers and meet industry buyers.

Finalists and winners showcased their produce in a new tented market — each tent highlighting a province in Ireland — also an addition to the festival.

It was named Eat Ireland in a Day, and visitors enjoyed the high calibre quality of food and drinks that reached the finalist stage.

Artie Clifford, chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann, said: “After a three-year hiatus from an in-person event, having a three-day event with the addition of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day has been worth the wait.

"I am really proud of what we hosted online but one thing that was repeated over and over was that people missed being in Dingle.

"As well as the excitement of the awards, it has been an intense and fantastic few days of focused networking, catch-ups and creating new connections and I am delighted that we have been able to showcase this exceptional produce to both regular visitors and industry experts in such an approachable and enjoyable way. What a great few days to welcome our Blas family back to Dingle.”

Almost 3000 products were entered for the awars for this their 15th year, and there many new producers too.

Products were from every county in Ireland, in 150+ food and drink categories, and the key awards included Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.