Chocolatier takes Supreme Food award

A Mullingar, CoWestmeath-based chocolatier and manufacturer of luxury Belgian chocolates has been awarded the top honour at this year’s Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, which were held in Dingle, Co Kerry, over the weekend.

Aldi the supermarket chain picked up 21 awards in the blind tastings.

The food festival which features blind tastings across 80 food categories is now in its sixth year and attracted record entries.

The festival packed the seaside town with much of the area’s accommodation booked out months in advance.

‘An Olivia Chocolates’ was chosen as the Blas Supreme Champion from an entry of more than 2,000 products submitted for consideration at the prestigious and hugely-acclaimed competition and showcase for food producers.

Run by Olivia Curran – a self-confessed chocaholic – and based at Monilea, Mullingar, An Olivia Chocolates produces luxury handmade Belgian chocolates which are handcrafted to have the maximum visual effect and taste sensation. Olivia’s motto is ‘You dream it, I make it.’

“I’m absolutely delighted; I’m pinching myself” said Olivia following the announcement. “I launched the business on Easter Sunday 2010 and since then it has taken leaps and strides. It’s such an honour to get this recognition. I am so grateful to everyone at Blas and to my family and the Westmeath Enterprise Board for their support,” she said.

The supermarket chain Aldi picked up 21 awards, from apple juice to cous cous and bacon. This is the chain’s highest ever number and a spokesman said it had a greater range of awards than any other retailer.