Three local companies win Blas na hÉireann awards

Three local companies have won awards at the annual Blas na hÉireann event.

VOA Foods Ltd, incorporating Do Me A Flavour, won gold, silver, bronze, a Chef's Larder award and best in county awards.

The company is a subsidiary of Oliver Carty, based in Monksland.

Oliver Carty itself won silver and bronze awards while the Waldron Family Meats in Bridswell picked up a bronze award.

Now in their 14th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them. The biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Products from every county in Ireland were entered into this year’s competition to win Gold, Silver or Bronze Blas na hÉireann awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.

In Westmeath, three companies, all based in the north of the county, won awards.

Greene’s Family Kitchen took Gold, Silver and Best in County.

Luna Ventures Ltd trading as Killua Castle won a Gold & Bronze award, while Mr. Crumb took Silver & Bronze.