Spotlight on food producers

ONCE AGAIN recently the spotlight was turned on independent, grass-roots food producers as the winners of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards 2011 were unveiled.

Sat, 19 Mar, 2011 - 00:00

Darina Allen

Darina Allen is co-founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and more recently the Ballymaloe Organic Farm School in Shanagarry, East Cork.

The awards highlight the vital work of small, independent Irish food producers, at a time when supporting home-grown industry is of the utmost importance.

Those awarded for standards of excellence and for their exceptional contribution to Ireland’s reputation as a top food producing country were: Janet Drew of Country Fayre in Co Wicklow for her delicious Beetroot Blush; Brian and Lindy O’Hara of Coopershill House in Co Sligo for Irish Venison; Pat O’Neill from Co Wexford for Dry Cured Rashers, Bacon and Ham and a special Environmental Award went to oatmeal King John Flahavan of Flahavan’s in Co Waterford.