Ireland’s medal haul a taste of things to come in speciality food sector
It was the biggest win by Irish companies at the Great Taste Awards, regarded as the most prestigious in the world.
Some 2,550 food and drink products competed for the awards over four days, during which they were blind-tasted by 150 experts from food production, retailing, buying and the specialist media.
The gold medals awarded to Irish companies were in the chocolate, seafood, condiments, preserves and coffee categories. Taste and flavour were the overriding award criteria.
All medals were seen as a major boost for the Irish speciality food market, valued at 250million.
Judgement for the overall supreme champion, sponsored by Fortnum and Mason, will take place at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in Olympia, London, from September 8 to 10.
The winner of the Best Irish Speciality product, sponsored by Bord Bia, will also be announced at the show.
“Speciality” is a term for food typically crafted with skill by a small-scale producer, perhaps to a traditional recipe or process. It is generally available through limited distribution at a premium price.
Products from Ireland include breads, beers, farmhouse cheeses, meats, hand-made chocolate, condiments, preserves and fish.
Bord Bia chief executive Michael Duffy, said the Great Taste Awards represented an exceptional result for Irish speciality food companies, which showcased products to 200 international buyers at the board’s second speciality food symposium in Kinsale in April.
“This sector has shown phenomenal growth in the last few years and Ireland is now recognised as a market leader in Europe,” Mr Duffy said.
“Our research indicates growth within the speciality food sector of approximately 65% over the next ten years,” he said.
Four companies won two gold medals each at the fine food Oscars. Sammy Leslie, of Castle Leslie, Glaslough, Co Monaghan (balsamic vinegar and vegetable chutney), won a further four silver and two bronze medals.
The other double gold-medal winners were Dunn’s Seafare, of Finglas, Dublin (wild smoked salmon and other smoked fish), who also won a silver and a bronze; Bella Kinghan, Kilmurray Jams, of Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow (cherry preserve and strawberry preserve), who also won a bronze; and Java Republic, (David McKernan), of Old Naas Road, Dublin (filter coffee), who also won a bronze.
Winners of single gold medals were Veronica Molloy, of Crossogue House, Ballycahill, Thurles, Co Tipperary
(orange marmalade), who won a further two silver and two bronze awards; Ann Rudden, Aine’s Chocolates, of Castletown, Navan, Co Meath (milk chocolates), who also won a silver; Amanda McGabhann, Skelligs Chocolate Co., of Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry (dark chocolates); Ciara Morris, Slieve Bloom Foods, of Clareen, Birr, Co Offaly (fruit marmalade); and Sally Barnes, Woodcock Smokery, of Gortbrack, Castletownshend, Co Cork (wild smoked salmon).
