Five Westmeath winners in 2023 Blas na hÉireann awards
There are five winners from Westmeath in the 2023 Blas na hÉireann awards.
The annual event – “a celebration of the best of Irish food and drink”, as the organisers describe it – took place in Dingle from Thursday to Saturday last.
The winners from Westmeath are: Bon Chocolatiers (Best in County), Greene's Free Range Eggs, Killua Castle, Mr Crumb and Sugar Plum Sweetery.
Blas na hÉireann 2023 included the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day tent, where the 2023 finalists showcased their products, engaged with customers and met industry buyers.
Blas na hÉireann chairperson, Artie Clifford, said: “We are thrilled to see such deserving winners and finalists again this year at Blas na hÉireann 2023.
“Looking back on 16 years of Blas, it’s fantastic to see the standard of food and drink in Ireland go from strength-to-strength year on year. It’s a real privilege for the whole Blas family to bring these products, and the amazing producers who make them, to a much wider audience.”
Christine Charlton, head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath (who support the local producers) congratulated Georgia and Daniel of Bon Chocolatiers, who create handmade artisan chocolates in Athlone, “truly delicious chocolates”.
They were awarded Best in County.
Ms Charlton added congratulations “to all our noteworthy food businesses; Mr Crumb, Greene’s Free Range Eggs, Sugar Plum Sweetery and Killua Castle Foods”,
“Well done. All of these businesses are testament to the high quality, vibrant producers we have throughout the county showcasing the best of what Westmeath has to offer. We have some great food producers.”
Almost 3,000 products entered the awards in more than 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.