Tipp winners at Blas na hÉireann awards

Tipperary was well represented at this year's Blas na hÉireann awards with several winners at the country's biggest blind tasting of produce.

The winners were announced at the annual Dingle Food Festival on October 1st following preliminary judging at University College Cork and the Baking Academy of Ireland in Dublin.

Gold awards were bestowed on Gortnamona Goats Cheese of Cooleeney, Moyne; Galtee Irish Honey, Cahir; and Elderflower and Apple Juice from Oola based Ayle Foods.

Nenagh's Lisduff Fine Foods received a Silver award for its Black Pudding. There were also Silver awards for the Chilli and Coriander Relish from Nenagh's The Scullery Ltd, along with RibWorld Barbecue Spare Ribs, M&M Walshe, Fethard; Raspberry (Sugar Free) Spread, Crossogue Preserves, Thurles; and Orange Marmalade with Jamaican Rum, Ayle Foods, Oola.

Stapleton's Bakery in Roscrea collected a Bronze award for its Aldi Specially Selected Rustic Wheaten Fruited (Entered on behalf of the producer by Aldi). Further Bronze awards went to Cashel Blue, Cashel Blue Cheesmakers; Mustard with Irish Stout, Crossogue Preserves, Thurles; and Mature Irish Cheese and Red Onion Crisps, O’Donnell’s Crisps, Clonmel.

Ayle Foods won Best in County Tipperary and also the Best in Farmers’ Market prizes.

Ciders won big at the this year's awards with Stonewell Rós Cider from Cork awarded the coveted Supreme Champion title of the 2016 Blas na hEireann. Ciders also made it to the top of the pile in the Best Artisan Category. In a first for Blas na hÉireann, there was a tie for the prize, which was won jointly by Tempted? Elderflower Cider (Lisburn) and MacIvors Plum and Ginger Cider (Armagh).

Sponsored by Bord Bia, the Blas na hÉireann awards are now recognised as an international industry standard.