Sweeter than ever
Daniel Linehan and Georgia Quealy, founders of Bon Chocolatiers, crowned crowned Supreme Champion at the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Awards in Dingle.
It had been a whirlwind month for Daniel Linehan and Georgia Quealy, founders of Bon Chocolatiers in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Just two days before the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Awards in Dingle, the arrival of their first baby, Fía, added a whole new kind of sweetness to an already historic moment.
Then at the awards on Friday, October 3rd, Bon Chocolatiers were crowned Supreme Champion, an award supported by Bord Bia, the highest honour at Ireland’s premier food competition. Of course, Daniel and Georgia weren’t in attendance because they were literally driving home their new bundle of joy at the moment the awards were being announced.
“I woke that morning, ready to take Georgia and baby Fía home from the hospital, totally unaware of what the day held,” says Daniel. “I didn’t even check what time our category was. I was caught between the joy of bringing our daughter home and the nagging curiosity about the awards.”
As the couple navigated their journey from the hospital to home, Daniel received live updates from fellow food producers and friends of the awards they had won: gold for their orange chocolate bar and Festive Treats seasonal chocolate collection; silver for their Truly Dark chocolate collection; and bronze for their Summer Hues chocolate collection and the pistachio roseberry mini filled egg. As anticipation grew, they learnt of more awards, including best in County for Offaly, best new product and best in Leinster.
Then came a call from Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone from Rivescí, food producers, friends of the couple, and the outgoing 2024 Supreme Champions – the moment that changed everything.
“She said, ‘You need to listen very closely now... You’re the Supreme Champion for 2025.’ Honestly, there were plenty of words said that I can’t repeat in a feature like this,” Daniel laughs. “It was surreal. To come out on top from thousands of entries across the country, it’s such a massive achievement.”
Daniel’s voice still glows with pride as he reflects on the significance. “It wasn’t just about winning an award; it was being recognised by a jury of peers who know exactly what they’re talking about. That feeling of validation is unforgettable.”
For Bon Chocolatiers, a business just five years young, the journey from a kitchen in Daniel’s family café to national acclaim is a story filled with passion, craft and community. Daniel and Georgia met at culinary college, honing their skills with Michelin-starred chefs including Garrett Byrne at Campagne and John Coffey of Thyme in Athlone, before launching their dream during the tough Covid lockdowns.
“We didn’t start our business thinking about awards. It was always about creating something we loved, something that felt unique but connected to Irish produce and flavours,” Daniel explains. “Winning this at this stage, it’s more than I ever imagined when we began.”
Their chocolates are not just sweets but edible stories, fusing premium chocolates from France, Switzerland and Ghana with local Irish ingredients like Wicklow cream, foraged berries and Oriel Sea Salt. Each piece is hand-painted, meticulously crafted, and bursting with bold flavours.
This year, Bon Chocolatiers took home eight awards at Blas na hÉireann; Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers were announced as Best Artisan Producer, supported by LEO Network, a producer who has won many Blas awards in previous years; and, of course, so many more producers took home multiple awards in what was a strong year for Irish artisanal food and drink.
These accolades not only celebrate each producer’s craft but also affirm the growing appetite in Ireland for artisanal, story-rich food.
Daniel shares the bittersweet feeling of juggling baby Fía and a booming business. “It’s sweet, really sweet. We’re in the trenches, figuring out routines, sleep schedules, all while tackling emails, production, and ideas for new products. It’s a lot, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The couple’s entrepreneurial journey is grounded in community and collaboration, which was a common theme echoed by so many producers at Blas this year. Daniel highlighted exciting partnerships, including ongoing trials with their friends Shannon and Declan from Rivescí, and seasonal collaborations with other artisan producers, which have boosted their creativity and reach.
“Collaboration is vital,” says Daniel. “It’s about meeting friends in the industry, trying new things together, and lifting each other up. The Blas na hÉireann community feels like a family, and that support means everything.”
That family spirit shone through during the awards weekend when Bon Chocolatiers, unable to be at the ceremony thanks to their newborn, were celebrated by peers and the wider industry with genuine warmth and excitement.
Daniel chuckles, “The video of the phone call from Shannon announcing our win was totally live and unscripted. I was annoyed at first because we were stressed about work stuff, but that call turned everything around. Hearing the joy from everyone else made it even more special.”
Looking ahead, Daniel is already buzzing with ideas for new products, expansions, and even a special Fía chocolate collection to mark their daughter’s arrival and their title reign.
“My brain never stops. We’re working on new chocolates, refining recipes, building the team, and planning collaborations. Christmas is coming, so production is in full swing; there’s no rest,” he says.
But amid the plans and pressures, the heart of Bon Chocolatiers remains the same: a love for chocolate, a connection to Ireland’s landscape and people, and the joy of creating something beautiful.
To Daniel and Georgia, this Supreme Championship year will be remembered as not just a business triumph but a celebration of life, family, and the sweet magic that happens when passion meets purpose.
