Former chef and publican, Graham Canning, who saw his pub business in Dublin go to the wall during the Celtic Tiger has, along with his wife and business partner Bernie Canning, received the Supreme Champion accolade at the Blas na hÉireann awards at the Dingle Food Festival.

A lack of financial advice and support is the biggest challenge facing food producers in growing their businesses, according to 70% of small to medium-sized producers.

DINGLE’S food family is a mix of suave restaurateurs, woolly-jumpered young mothers selling pies and chutneys at the market, weathered fishermen hauling from the sea and traditional butchers who swear by west Kerry lamb.