Blas na hÉireann winners 2011
Gillian of Chocolate Here
I was sorry that I didn’t make it to this year’s Blas na hÉireann National Irish Food Awards at the Dingle Food and Wine Festival – the Small Girl‘s late arrival put paid to that! – but delighted to see that fellow blogger Gillian O’Leary of Chocolate Here won two awards.
Her Rose and Raspberry and Lemon and Poppy Seed bars took Gold and Silver in the chocolate category – a fantastic result for a chocolatier who only started selling her products at Ennistymon Farmer’s Market last July.
Other Bibliocook favourites that took awards include the English Market’s Tom Durcan Meats and On The Pig’s Back, both Dungarvan and Carlow Brewing Companies, Green Saffron, Bailies Coffee and Sowan’s Organic.
There is more information about the award winners here and watch out for the Blas na hÉireann stickers on winning products in your local deli and supermarket.
If you need any convincing to head down to next year’s Dingle Food and Wine festival – there was also beer in the shape of Tom Crean’s Premium Irish Lager, courtesy of the Dingle Brewing Company – check out the Dingle Invasion post at I Can Has Cook. I’ll certainly be there next time round!
In Mulligans last week end on quick trip to see the Stoneybatter daughters, tasted some Sunburnt- Nectar ! Tell the brewer I love him.
Your love has been passed on to the brewer – who looked slightly confused, until I explained it was all about the beer. Just wait till you try the Knockmealdown Porter…
Caroline – thanks a million for those kind words. Dingle was amazing and awards were the icing on the cake. And there’s no hiding the next award coming to the O’Leary household … due Jan 🙂
Hope I’m back in action as quickly as you – you are superwoman!
I would have loved to catch up with you there. Delighted to hear about your good news. Maybe we’ll both be able to make it next year, little ones tucked under our arms as we talk and eat!
Far from superwoman I am, just lucky to have family close to the cottage and, at the moment, the Husband’s parents over on a long-awaited visit. It’s easy get to the computer when Poppa is reading Little Missy book after book while Nana walks the Small Girl around when she’s windy. Life is good…