Donegal Food Producers scooped several awards at the 2017 Blas na hEireann awards which took place on the 30th September in Dingle, Kerry. The awards are the largest blind-tasted food and drink awards on the island of Ireland and is an opportunity for producers to have the quality of their produce recognised.
Convoy-based Green Pastures won 4 Golds, 1 Silver and 4 Bronzes at the Awards in Dingle. They took Gold for Dunnes Sour Cream, Green Pastures Sour Cream, Aldi Clonbawn Sour Cream and Greek Style Yoghurt. The Silver was for Green Pastures 3.5% Natural Yoghurt while the 4 Bronzes were awarded for Dunnes Stores Crème Fraiche, Donegal Crème Fraiche, Dunnes Stores Buttermilk and Soft Cheese. Other award winners were Aroma Bakery based in the Craft Village in Donegal Town winning gold for Tom’s Brown Bread Mix and bronze for Gallagher’s Bakery’s in Ardara for their Super Seed Slices. Bronze for Bidlim’s Moods Red Pepper and Chilli Jelly, Letterkenny, Bronze for Filligan’s Chilli Jam, Glenties and Bronze for Drioglann Sliabh Liag CGA’s The Legendary Silkie Dark Spirit/Liqueur, Carrick. Carol’s Stock Market won best Chef’s Choice award for their Chicken Stock.
Speaking about the gold award for the Brown Bread Mix, owner of Aroma Cafe and Bakery Tom Dooley said he was over the moon at getting Gold and it was totally unexpected. “We have been retailing my brown bread locally for years and came up with the idea of packing the dry ingredients for customers to bake at home. Winning Gold has made it easy to approach retailers, my brown bread mix is now on the shelves in our local Supervalu and other outlets, once people realise that they can bake my brown bread at home then it’s a real winner.”
If you would like to know more about Blas na hEireann or wish to apply to the 2018 awards visit www.irishfoodawards.com
