PRESS RELEASE
Saturday 3rd October 2009
CORK’S SILVER PAIL DAIRY ICE CREAM SCOOPS TOP PRIZE AT BLAS NA hÉIREANN IRISH FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS
Silver Pail Dairy, a family run business located in Fermoy, Co.Cork has scooped the top prize at the Blas na hÉireann, National Irish Food and Drink awards at a ceremony in Dingle, Co. Kerry yesterday evening. The Cork producers were awarded the prestigious awards for their Supreme Truffle Fudge Ice Cream, available in SuperValu, which was judged to be the tastiest product, beating off hundreds of top food and drink producers from all over Ireland. Nikki Murphy of Silver Pail Ice Cream said “We are delighted on behalf our 60 fantastic staff to receive such an accolade for our hard work.” The award was presented by leading industry expert Peter Ward in front of a packed room in Benners Hotel.
With thirty hotly contested categories, from cheese to chocolate and sausages to soup, pies and poultry, hundreds of producers gathered at the awards ceremony eager to find out if they had earned a gold, silver or bronze medal. Another top accolade, the award for best producer in a Gaeltacht area was won by Tairgi Feirme An Daingean for their semi hard cow’s cheese.
The Blas na hÉireann Awards are the only Irish food awards that focus solely on taste, arguably the most important criteria for a food product, and the judging process, developed and overseen by the U.C.C Food Science Department is the most rigorous in the country. Chair of the Awards, Artie Clifford was delighted with the response to this year’s awards commenting: “Once again we are proud to celebrate the outstanding foods and food producers from every corner of Ireland. At this time it is more important than ever to show support for local food producers and that is exactly what these homegrown awards highlight”.
Thousands of visitors and locals flocked to Dingle today for the first day of the Dingle Peninsula Food & Drink Festival to get a taste of the finest food and drink the country has to offer. Highlights of the festival include the famous food trail taking place in 50 venues throughout Dingle, wine tastings, chefs demonstrations and a spectacular open air market showcasing the tastiest fare in Ireland. The festival runs until Sunday and promises to be the highlight of Ireland’s culinary calendar.
*Note to the editor: A full list of the winners, the county they are from and the relevant contact details is listed below should you wish to contact any of the winners. The list of winners is also available on www.irishfoodawards.com.
For further press information please contact: Sue James or Katy Harrington at James PR on 085 733 6981/ 085 705 2423 or email katyjamespr@gmail.com
BLAS NA hÉIREANN SUPREME CHAMPION:
SILVERPAIL SUPREME TRUFFLE FUDGE ICE CREAM
COUNTY: CORK
CONTACT: Nikki Murphy, 025 31466
GAELTACHT PRIZE: Tairgi Feirme An Daingean- semi hard Cow’s cheese
County: Kerry
Contact: Tomas O Bruic, 066 9155218
Chocolate
GOLD Butlers chocolates – dark choc with orange and almond
County: Dublin
Contact : Aisling Walsh , 01 6710599
SILVER Butlers chocolates – white choc bar with mixed berries
County: Dublin
Contact: Aisling Walsh , 01 6710599
BRONZE Skelligs & Cocoa Bean Co. – Apricot Amareto
County: Kerry & Limerick
Contact: Colm Healy, 066 9479119
Confectionery
GOLD Lorge Chocolatier– Eucalyptus and honey nougat
County: Kerry
Contact : Benoit Lorge, 087 9917172
SILVER Mellas Fudge – chocolate fudge
County : Cork
Contact: Mella McAuley, 086 1595949
BRONZE Lorge Chocolatier– Orange blossom nougat
County: Kerry
Contact : Benoit Lorge, 087 9917172
Puddings and Desserts
GOLD Nibbles Food Emporium – Pear and almond tart
County: Cork
Contact: Eleanor Leahy, 087 9187184
SILVER Couverture Desserts– SQ Raspberry ripple bavarois cheesecake
County: Dublin
Contact: Celine Hayes, 087 8037149
BRONZE The Foods of Athenry– Christmas Pudding
County: Galway
Contact: Siobhan Lawless, 091 848152
Yoghurts
GOLD Irish Yoghurts - -Aldi West cork indulgence yoghurt lemon curd
County: Cork
SILVER Irish Yoghurts - SuperValu Supreme Devon toffee Yoghurt
County: Cork
BRONZE Irish Yoghurts - Aldi Sp sel luxury layer yoghurt mixed flavours
County: Cork
Butter
GOLD Connacht Gold - Connacht gold garlic & herb butter
County: Sligo
Contact: John Byrne, 087 2886920
SILVER Connacht Gold – SQ Irish creamery butter
County: Sligo
Contact: John Byrne, 087 2886920
BRONZE Glenilen Farm– Handmade country butter
County: Cork
Contact: Alan Kingston, 086 8141091
Ice Cream
GOLD Silverpail - SuperValu Supreme truffle fudge ice cream
County: Cork
Contact: Nikki Murphy 02531466
SILVER Valentia Island - Valentia strawberry sorbet
County: Kerry
Contact:Joesph Daly, 087 2864653
BRONZE Burkes Ice Cream Farm - Belgian chocolate ice cream
County: Meath
Contact: Bernadette Burke, 087 9532656
Cheese
GOLD Glenstal Foods, Ltd - Aldi Sp sel Irish vintage red cheddar
County: Limerick
Contact: 061 386511
SILVER Old Irish Creamery– Oak smoked Cheddar
County: Limerick
Contact: Pat Kinnane, 063 71209
BRONZE Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese Ltd. – St. Kevin
County:Wicklow
Contact: John Hempenstall, 0402 91713
Sausages and Black Pudding
GOLD Arthur Mallon Foods - SuperValu Supreme sausages
County: Monaghan
Contact: 047 83766
SILVER Superquinn – AIBP Nenagh sausages , leek and pepper
County: Tipperary
Contact: 067 3119
BRONZE McCarthys of Kanturk – Black Pudding
County: Cork
Contact: Jack Mc Carthy 029 50178
Cured Meats, Charcuterie & Bacon
GOLD Callan Bacon Co. – SQ 3 cheese marinated bacon loin
County: Kilkenny
Contact: 086 6000279
SILVER Oliver Carty Supreme Rashers dry cure –traditional
County: Roscommon
Contact: 090 640472
BRONZE Brady Family – Brady ham on the bone
County: Kildare
Contact: Eleanor Smyth 045 863650
Terrines/Pates
GOLD Connemara Fine Food - Turf & oak smoked pate
County: Galway
Contact: James Mc Geough, 086 3823212
SILVER On the Pigs Back - Pork & Plum Terrine
County: Cork
Contact: Isabelle Sheridan, 021 4617832
BRONZE Ballycarbery Fine Foods - Baked Salmon pate
County: Kerry
Contact: Darina Healy, 087 2302979
Savoury Pies/ Quiche
GOLD Taste A Memory Foods – Lamb and feta cheese pastry
County: Cork
Contact: Anne Bradfield, 086 8682201
SILVER Taste A Memory Foods – Traditional beef pastry
County: Cork
Contact: Anne Bradfield, 086 8682201
BRONZE On the Pigs Back – Pork pie
County: Cork
Contact: Isabelle Sheridan, 021 4617832
Fish & Seafood
GOLD Burren Smokehouse – Burren smoked Irish salmon
County: Clare
Contact: Brigitta Hedin-Curtin, 087, 8224173
SILVER Shellfish De La Mer – SuperValu -crab claws
County: Cork
Contact: Richard Murphy 027 70461
BRONZE Dunns Seafare - SuperValu Supreme sel BBQ Pack
County: Dublin
Contact: Rory Morohan 01 8643100
Soups
GOLD The Just Food Company – Spicy Lentil
County: Cork
Contact: Deirdre Hilliard 086 3830011
SILVER Avondale -Supreme vine ripened tomato & Marscapone soup
County: Armagh
Contact: Philip Conway 0044 28 38341619
BRONZE The Just Food Company – Winter Minestrone
County: Cork
Contact: Deirdre Hilliard 086 3830011
Breads
GOLD ` Blazing Salads Bread Company – Organic Rosemary with Olive Oil
County: Dublin
Contact: Joe Fitzmaurice 087 2199338
SILVER Tom’s Bakery – Corn Bread
County: Cork
Contact: Tom Heuneburg
BRONZE Brosnan’s - Eurospar Brown Loaf TIE
County: Cork
Contact: Pat Lynott
BRONZE: Blazing Salads Bread Company TIE
County: Dublin
Contact: Joe Fitzmaurice 087 2199338
Ready Meals
GOLD Bombay Pantry – Chicken Korma
County: Dublin
Contact: Yvette Fidgeon, 01 2557465
SILVER Dunhill - SuperValu Just cook Spicy chicken Tikka Masala
County: Waterford
Contact: 051 396807
BRONZE Country Crest – SQ Vegetable & pasta bake
County: Dublin
Contact: `Denise Cronje, 086 3825636
Diet, Functional & Health Foods
GOLD Minihans – Chocolate & Hazelnut Torte
County: Clare
Contact: Annette Minihan, 087 6755577
SILVER The Foods of Athenry - Spelt soda bread
County: Galway
Contact: Siobhan Lawless, 091 848152
BRONZE Continental Sausages – Gluten Free Beef Burger
County: Kerry
Contact: Armin Weise, 064 6633069
Fresh Meats
GOLD Carton Group – Corn-fed chicken/part bone-cheddar & wholegrain Mustard stuffing
County: Meath
Contact: Helena Murray, 042 9691149
SILVER AIBP Nenagh - Aldi Sp sel Angus fillet steak
County: Tipperary
Contact: 067 31199
BRONZE Irish Country Meats – SQ ready to cook leg lamb mini roast-honey &
Rosemary
County: Wexford
Contact: Sandra Sheridan, 053 9366300
Soft Drinks
GOLD Mulrines – SQ NFC apple juice
County: Donegal
Contact: John Bonner, 074 9131009
SILVER Mulrines – SuperValu Supreme apple juice
County: Donegal
Contact: John Bonner, 074 9131009
BRONZE Sunshine Juice, Ltd - Aldi – Sp Sel Fresh Squeezed Valencia Orange juice
County: Carlow
Contact: Paul Walshe 086 8109127
Vinegars & Dressings
GOLD Bia Blasta – Classic Vinaigrette
County: Louth
Contact: Boris and Clare Gloukhov, 042 9323950
SILVER Bia Blasta – Caesar dressing
County: Louth
Contact: Boris and Clare Gloukhov, 042 9323950
BRONZE Posh Nosh Catering – White balsamic dressing
County:Cork
Contact: Catherine Hickey, 086 8418599
Chutneys, Pickles and Condiments
GOLD The Just Food Company – Cucumber Pickle
County: Cork
Contact: Deirdre Hilliard 086 3830011
SILVER Follain Teo – SuperValu Supreme relish roasted pepper
County: Cork
Contact: Peadar, 026 45288
BRONZE Crossogue Preserves – Red pepper and chilli chutney
County: Tipperary
Contact: Veronica Molloy, 0504 54416
Savory Sauces and Dips
GOLD Bombay Pantry – Tikka Masala (mild)
County: Dublin
Contact: Yvette Fidgeon, 01 2557465
SILVER Bia Blasta – Bang Bang Marinade
County: Louth
Contact: Boris and Clare Gloukhov, 042 9323950
BRONZE The Just Food Company – Sweet Chilli Hummus
County: Cork
Contact: Deirdre Hilliard, 086 3830011
Preserves, Conserves, Marmalade
GOLD Follain Teo– Raspberry jam
County: Cork
Contact: Peadar, 026 45288
SILVER Crossogue Preserves – Blackcurrant & Guinness jam
County: Tipperary
Contact: Veronica Molloy, 0504 54416
BRONZE Nature’s Bounty – Ruby grapefruit marmalade
County: Limerick
Contact: Colette O’Farrell, 086 3936768
Honey
GOLD Healys Honey
County: Cork
Contact: Patrick Healy, 021 48 71 258
SILVER Mil Bhaile an Fherteaigh
Sean O Liarlaithe
County : Kerry
Contact: 066 9156238
BRONZE Sunhill Natural Honey
County: Kerry
Contact: Pat Curran, 087 74440375
Cakes
GOLD Sam’s Cookies – Sams cookies Christmas cake
County:Dublin
Contact: Sammy Johnson, 087 2654468
SILVER Sally Mills– Carrot loaf
County: Limerick
Contact: David Mc Caffery, 086 8218746
BRONZE The Foods of Athenry – Chocolate & cream cheese brownie
County: Galway
Contact: Siobhan Lawless, 091 848152
Biscuits and Snacks
GOLD Sam’s Cookies – SQ handmade butter & fresh lemon infused shortbread
County:Dublin
Contact: Sammy Johnson, 087 2654468
SILVER Sam’s Cookies – SQ Handmade choc caramel shortbread
County:Dublin
Contact: Sammy Johnson, 087 2654468
BRONZE The Foods of Athenry – Vanilla cookie with dark choc chip
County: Galway
Contact: Siobhan Lawless, 091 848152
New Comers
GOLD Minihans Spanish style chicken parcel
County: Clare
Contact: Annette Minihan, 087 6755577
SILVER McConnells gourmet food- Smoked duck breast
County: Dublin
Contact: Aedamar Sweeney, 085 7111037
BRONZE Tairgi Feirme An Daingean- semi hard goats cheese
County: Kerry
Contact: Tomas O Bruic, 066 9155218
New Products
GOLD The Just Food Company – Brazil & Raisin Muesli
County: Cork
Contact: Deirdre Hilliard 086 3830011
SILVER The Porterhouse Brewery– Porterhouse plain porter
County: Dublin
Contact: Jim Flynn 01 6715715
BRONZE Kestrel Foods – SQ luxury muesli
County: Tim Mc Vicker, 0044 48 38380934
Contact:
AIB Business Diversification Award
WINNER: Holy Cross Good Food – Bakery Products
County: Tipperary
Contact: Ann Marie Walsh 086 8246310