Blas na hÉireann 2021 Award

Blas na hÉireann 2021 winners announced with Faithlegg’s Head Chef Jenny Flynn awarded a Bronze

for her Seville Orange & Muldoon Whisky Marmalade.

In a year like no other, Blas na hÉireann have just announced the award winners for 2021, with 10 winners from County Waterford including Faithlegg’s Jenny Flynn who was awarded Bronze for her Seville Orange & Muldoon Whisky Marmalade.

Products from every county in Ireland were entered into this year’s competition to win Gold, Silver or Bronze Blas na hÉireann awards in over 150 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer. A fantastic achievement for Faithlegg’s Head Chef Jenny Flynn who entered the awards for the first time this year having started to produce her own products for Faithlegg in the last 2 years, including oils, dressings, chutneys and her now award-winning marmalade.

Speaking on the awards Jenny shared ‘I am thrilled that our Faithlegg marmalade has been recognised by the esteemed Blas na hÉireann judging panel this year. To be alongside such brilliant products from across Ireland and 9 other Waterford based producers is remarkable!’ Jenny continued ‘As part of my role as Head Chef I have really enjoyed branching out and producing new products for our guests while working with some of the finest producers in Waterford, to have our marmalade selected is truly an honor and encourages me to continue on this journey.’

With the annual pilgrimage to Dingle stalled, this year’s winners tuned in for a second year running from every corner of the country for a virtual celebration of the very best in Irish food. The team at Blas na hÉireann has been working tirelessly since March to ensure that Blas 2021 went ahead, sustaining their commitment to celebrating the very best in Irish food and drink. Chairperson Artie Clifford feels that now, more than ever, it is essential to shine a light and give that all important boost to the talented producers dotted around the island. 

“These are the 14th annual Blas na hÉireann awards,” says Artie, “and despite the very challenging situation, I am delighted to report a record entry level from producers right across the island. This large increase in entries has raised the bar across all categories, allowing us to introduce new products and producers to the buyers and press with whom we work, which is really exciting. Congratulations to all the winners and to every producer who participated. It is always such a rewarding experience to see the wealth of exceptional foods being produced on the island of Ireland, and this has been the best year yet.”

Now in their 14th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them. The biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Guest’s of Faithlegg can taste the award-winning marmalade when they visit the hotel, or purchase the marmalade as part of Jenny Flynn’s seasonal hampers. To find out more visit www.faithlegg.com.