After a three year hiatus all roads led to Dingle for five Donegal producers who won bronze, silver and gold in Blas na hÉireann 2022.
The winners from Donegal are Donegal Rapeseed Oil, Gallagher’s Bakery Promise Gluten Free Bakery, Love A Little and Natural Dairies and Green Pastures Donegal, who were also awarded Best in County.
This year’s finalists and winners had the chance to experience the Blas Village for the first time.
Located in the heart of Dingle, this pop-up village was built for producers across the country to come together and celebrate the very best of Irish food and drink.
Finalists and winners also had the opportunity to showcase their products in a new tented market with each tent highlighting a province in Ireland.
They then had the chance to engage with customers and meet key industry buyers.
Suitably named ‘Eat Ireland in a Day’, visitors were able to enjoy the high calibre quality of food and drinks that reached the finalist stage.
Now in their 15th year, Blas na hÉireann saw a huge increase in entries with almost 3,000 products and many new producers entering the awards for the first time.
Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver or gold awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.
Donegal producer, Susan McLaughlin from Love A Little in Ballyliffin was awarded bronze at Blas na hÉireann 2022.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Susan said it is a great feeling being awarded bronze but it was a lot of work.
“I started making my dessert sauces from my home kitchen just over a year ago and they have gone from strength to strength since then.
“Food is something that I’ve always had a big interest in, whether it was baking or cooking.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere