Ireland’s biggest celebration of food is back – and Blas na hÉireann 2025 is shaping up to be the most exciting showcase of Irish culinary talent yet.
Blas na hÉireann, Ireland’s largest food awards, is set to be more impactful than ever in 2025. Now in its 18th year, the event continues to champion the very best of Irish food and drink, offering a vital platform for producers to gain national recognition, connect with buyers, and celebrate their craft in the heart of Dingle.
This year’s awards have seen record-breaking participation, with more than 3,000 entries from across all 32 counties and the largest-ever expansion in categories, now totalling 190. These include fast-growing sectors such as non-alcoholic beverages and plant-based innovations, reflecting the evolving tastes of Irish consumers.
As well as showcasing quality Irish food and beverage products to finalists, judges, buyers, trade and press, the Backyard at Blas event proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland will feature an engaging series of talks featuring food producers and entrepreneurs.
A major highlight for 2025 is the strengthened partnership with Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), who are collectively supporting the Best Artisan Producer award and county-level recognitions. This unified backing underscores the importance of local food entrepreneurship and provides critical visibility and support for small-scale producers.
The event will also feature the return of the popular “Eat Ireland in a Day” market and the Blas Village showcase, where finalists can engage directly with the public, media, and industry leaders. Sustainability remains a core focus, with continued efforts to reduce environmental impact and promote conscious food production.
Additionally, the introduction of a new bursary for the Best Artisan Producer – a professional food styling and photography package – offers winners valuable tools to elevate their brand presence.
With blind tastings judged by chefs, buyers, and academics, and a judging system developed with UCC and TU Dublin, Blas na hÉireann 2025 promises to be a celebration of quality, innovation, and community. It’s not just an awards ceremony – it’s a national stage for Ireland’s most passionate food producers.
Here is just a taste of the kind of businesses and previous winners that compete at the iconic festival:
All About Kombucha (Galway)
A kombucha brewery nestled in the Gaeltacht, All About Kombucha has been serving cans of unpasteurised, live, and organic kombucha since 2017. Their products are all hand-canned and brewed. Their mission is to create a kombucha which is good on the gut, good to the planet and good on the palate.
Originally operating from a garden shed, the business has grown to a state-of-the-art premises in Claregalway.
Their award-winning products can be found in restaurants, cafes and supermarkets all over Ireland.
Builín Blasta Cafe & Bakery (Galway)
Based in Spiddal, Builin Blasta originally opened as a native Irish-speaking café. Founder Heather Flaherty realised that she needed additional sources of income. With an in-house kitchen in the café, Heather and her team went about creating homemade condiments that they could then sell to their customers and place in shops around Galway and in future around Ireland. Having developed their own smoked onion mayonnaise, homemade Caesar Salad and honey mustard dressing, the brand then joined The SuperValu Food Academy and is now placed in several SuperValu stores around Ireland.
Burren Smokehouse (Clare)
With the Atlantic Ocean on their doorstep it’s no surprise that there are so many high quality fishmongers in county Clare. The Burren Smokehouse is one of those businesses. Having been in business for more than 30 years, the company was born out of the Roadside Tavern Pub in Lisdoonvarna. The family run business then started to sell their smoked salmon first in the Burren, then in the county, then nationally and now send their products internationally all over the world with a 24 to 48 hour delivery time. The brand has won more than 20 national and international awards for their eco-friendly and sustainable approach as well as for the quality of their products.
Couverture Desserts (Kildare)
Each Couverture dessert is handcrafted by skilled pâtissiers in Naas, from cheesecake to millionaire’s shortbread.
From humble beginnings in 1998, the business has been a sweet success, bringing joy and indulgence to people’s lives through the art of dessert-making.
Products include its signature taste orange chocolate cake which won Gold at Blas in 2022 and a Star award at the Great Taste Awards in 2023.
G’s Gourmet Jams (Laois)
20 years ago Helen Gee’s passion for food saw an opening to bring her family recipes back to life, and from her kitchen she started to build a brand that came from the heart. G’s Gourmet Jams are made with only the highest quality and all-natural ingredients to ensure her time-honoured recipes taste just like “Granny used to make”.
From Helen’s start-up success, G’s Gourmet Jams kitchen has now moved into a modern production unit located beside the family home on the farm situated near the heritage town of Abbeyleix. G’s Gourmet Jams nostalgic taste and high quality has resonated with consumers over the past 20 years and with their continuous support the business has grown steadily over the years in both the retail and food service sectors. With the success of these award-winning Jams, Marmalades and Jellies, a savoury range of Chutneys, Relishes, Sauces and a Reduced Sugar range were added to bring diversity to their product portfolio which now includes over 40 products.
Goatsbridge Trout Farm (Kilkenny)
Knowledge and experience of trout farming has resulted in a business that thrives on providing health and nutrition. Trout is rich in omega 3 fats that have strong health benefits in terms of iron, vitamins and can be useful for inflammatory disorders such as arthritis.
Trout farming has been a thing in the Nore Valley for more than 800 years and the Little Arrigle River with its crystal clear waters provides an abundance of rainbow trout with unique taste and texture.
Focused on the most sustainable methods of farming and production Goatsbridge produce everything from smoked tinned trout to trout fillets and darnes.
Irish Yogurts Clonakilty (Cork)
Irish Yogurts Clonakilty is a family-run dairy business producing award-winning live yogurts and crème fraîche since 1994. Based in West Cork, the company uses a unique churn-style process to create smooth, creamy textures and rich flavours. Made with fresh milk from local farms, real fruit, and live cultures, their products contain no artificial colours or flavours. Committed to innovation and quality, Irish Yogurts Clonakilty offers a wide range of delicious options for every occasion.
Jack & Eddie’s (Mayo) 
Jack & Eddie’s is a family-run producer of award-winning sausages, bacon, and puddings, crafted on a fifth-generation farm in County Mayo, Ireland. Known for using only the freshest ingredients and traditional recipes passed down through generations, the company prides itself on quality, flavour, and innovation. Their handcrafted pork products are stocked across Ireland and celebrated for their authenticity and taste, earning accolades at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards.
Kearneys Home Baking (Limerick)
Equipped with family expertise, determination and a love for good food, sisters Maura and Siobhan Kearney set up their own business at the tender ages of 20 and 22. Their bakehouse was built on a Greenfield site in Ballyhahill, County Limerick surrounded by scenic countryside and an abundance of fresh air. The sisters bravely opened the bakehouse doors for business in June 1992.
More than 30 years on, Maura and Siobhan employ twenty-five staff and their business continues to go from strength to strength.
Products include soda breads, scones, tarts and crumbles, cakes, buns and seasonal favourites.
Their delivery vans service shops and supermarkets from Limerick, North Kerry and North Cork on a daily basis.
Mammy Johnstons (Sligo)
Mammy Johnston’s is an award-winning, family-run ice cream parlour located in Strandhill, Co. Sligo. Renowned for its handcrafted gelato, crepes, baked treats, and fresh coffee, it has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. With a wide range of flavours and a commitment to quality, Mammy Johnston’s also supplies gelato to businesses and caters for events. Its seaside location and community spirit make it a standout along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
Mór Taste (Wexford)
Mór Taste is an Irish food company dedicated to crafting jams and spreads with exceptionally high fruit content and minimal sugar. Founded by Felix after a personal health journey, the brand uses only natural ingredients—fruit, sugar, and pectin—without concentrates or artificial sweeteners. With award-winning products like its Cherry Jam, Mór Taste offers a healthier, more flavourful alternative to traditional jams. Its mission is simple: more fruit, less sugar, and uncompromising taste in every spoonful.
Niks Tea (Dublin)
Like many family businesses Niks Tea began around a conversation at the kitchen table. In 2011, disappointed with the lack of availability of quality Irish leaf tea blends locally or online, they began testing the waters at farmers markets and tea events.
From this humble beginning Niks Tea blends have achieved the highest accolades winning many national food awards, listings in flagship supermarkets, speciality & health food retail stores. Since 2016 its catering range is served in many cafes, restaurants and hotels throughout Ireland.
Produced to the highest standards in sustainability Niks Teas are organic and available in a variety of flavours. Since first entering the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards in 2013 Niks Tea has achieved many Gold Silver and Bronze Awards in recognition of its innovation and creative tea. They transform everyday loose tea and elevate, creating new flavours like Irish Whiskey Cream Liqueur which won many Gold awards.
Second Street Bakeshop (Cork)
Claire Keane, founder of Second Street Bakeshop in Carrigaline in Cork, first started cooking and selling her homemade caramel squares to fellow students in secondary school, as a means of raising funds for summer trips to visit the United States.
With a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Claire emigrated to the US in 1999, with the intention of pursuing a career in the environmental area. After growing disillusioned, however, by the poor response with which wider society was meeting the climate emergency, she found herself craving the creativity that comes from being in the kitchen.
Following a couple of years of fine-tuning her culinary skills, Claire set up an artisanal shortbread, caramel and chocolate company called Clairesquares in San Francisco in 2006. The success of the firm surprised even Claire, with Haagen-Dazs choosing to turn one of her cookies into a flavour of its world-famous ice cream in 2015.
Although Claire left San Francisco for her native Cork, her cookies still delight discerning Californians. This year at Blas Second Street Bakery won a Gold for its dairy-free mint chocolate brittle.
The Scullery (Tipperary)
Florrie Purcell started The Scullery, based in Nenagh in Tipperary, with a small saucepan and a big dream. That dream was to create a range of relishes, sauces, compotes and Christmas puddings that were high quality, delicious, natural and affordable. Fast-forward more than a decade and her dream has become a reality. Not only has she her own extensive range, which is entirely free from artificial additives and uses no GM ingredients, but she has also been entrusted by some of the world’s biggest names, including Lidl and Guinness, to develop and make new and exciting products for them. The Scullery has won many awards and accolades over the years, from Blas na hEireann to Great Taste Awards both in Ireland and in the UK.
Silver Hill Duck Company
Silver Hill Duck is a premium, fully integrated duck producer based in Emyvale, County Monaghan, Ireland. Established in 1962, the company controls every stage of production from breeding to packaging, using its own exclusive hybrid duck known for its tender, flavourful meat. Supplying to over 24 countries, including top Asian restaurants, Silver Hill is renowned for quality, sustainability, and innovation. Its award-winning products have made it a global leader in duck cuisine and culinary excellence.
Skellig Chocolates (Kerry)
Here, you’ll get to see traditional chocolate making as it occurs and taste the end result. This small establishment offers a great experience for the entire family.
Founded in 1996 and inspired by the environment on the south-western edge of Ireland, the business makes delicious bars, clusters, shards, truffles, boxed chocolates, bundles, hampers, hot chocolate and baked products.
Stonewell Cider (Cork)
Stonewell Cider, nestled in the scenic coastal village of Nohoval, County Cork, is renowned for its commitment to crafting premium Irish ciders of exceptional quality. Established by Daniel and Géraldine Emerson in 2009, Stonewell Cider has quickly earned a reputation for excellence in the artisanal cider-making industry. The Emersons’ passion for cider is evident in every aspect of their production process, which begins with hand-selected apples sourced exclusively from Irish orchards known for their superior quality and taste.
At Stonewell Cider, extreme attention is paid to every detail, from the orchard to the bottle. The apples are pressed in small batches to preserve their natural flavours, then fermented using traditional methods to achieve a balanced and distinctive taste profile. The result is a range of ciders that showcase the rich diversity of Irish apple varieties, from their crisp and refreshing Dry Cider to the smooth and aromatic Medium Dry and Medium Sweet options. Stonewell Cider also offers unique seasonal blends and limited editions, each reflecting the changing seasons and the creativity of their cider-making process.
In addition to their dedication to quality, Stonewell Cider places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. They actively promote biodiversity in their farmers’ orchards and employ eco-friendly practices throughout their production cycle. This commitment not only ensures the preservation of Ireland’s natural resources but also enhances the authentic flavours that define Stonewell Cider. With its picturesque location and unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, Stonewell Cider continues to set the standard for premium Irish ciders, delighting cider enthusiasts both locally and internationally with every sip.
Their awards include multiple Blas na hEireann, Cider World Gold, multiple Great Taste Awards, The International Cider Awards, Championship Winner and International Innovative Cider, Pommes d’Or and British Bottlers Institute Competition
Treats by Silvia (Dublin)
Treats by Silvia is a boutique Irish bakery specialising in handcrafted cakes, pastries, and desserts for all occasions. Known for exquisite design and premium ingredients, Silvia creates custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events, blending artistry with flavour. Customers can order online or visit the bakery to enjoy freshly baked goods. With a focus on quality and creativity, Treats by Silvia has become a go-to destination for elegant, delicious treats across Ireland.
Velo Coffee Roasters (Cork)
Velo Coffee Roasters, the Cork-based coffee connoisseurs, was established in 2017 by Rob Horgan and Suzanne Casey. Velo Coffee Roasters embarked on a mission to redefine the coffee experience, driven by a passion for exceptional quality and a commitment to responsible sourcing.
Velo Coffee Roasters’ unwavering dedication to sourcing specialty coffee beans through their partner Covoya ensures a direct line of traceability to the farm, fostering partnerships with farmers and supporting local projects. This commitment extends to their strong ethos of social and environmental responsibility, driving continuous innovation in packaging to minimise waste.
The Velo Tandem, recognised with multiple awards in prestigious competitions like Blas na hÉireann and Great Taste, remains a cherished favourite among consumers.
Discerning coffee buyers in Ireland will have noticed and most likely have indulged in Velo’s products in Aldi as well as Tesco and Dunnes Stores. Late last year the business achieved the extraordinary milestone with the sale of their one millionth bag of coffee in ALDI.
Zanna Cookhouse (Wexford)
Zanna Cookhouse is a family-run artisan food producer based in Wexford, Ireland, specialising in handcrafted quiches and pies made with locally sourced ingredients. Founded in 2007 by Owen and Lorna Mullins, the business has grown from a home kitchen to a state-of-the-art facility while preserving its home-cooked flavours. With a focus on quality, tradition, and innovation, Zanna Cookhouse supplies award-winning products to retailers nationwide, including Tesco and SuperValu, and remains deeply rooted in its local community.
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