Deadline looms for Food Festival 'Blas' awards
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THE Dingle Food & Drink Festival, October 1 to 3, will again play host to the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, which have become an integral part of the proceedings and which make this festival totally unique.
The deadline for entry for the awards is Monday, August 2, and is timely given Enterprise Ireland's plans to set up a network of food producers in the county to make the food offering in the Kingdom a central part of the tourism experience.
Quality Irish food production is now regarded as one of the most promising growth sectors in our economy and the annual Blas na hÉireann Awards provide a showcase for the very best of it.
There are up to 30 categories for producers to enter, with gold, silver and bronze medals being handed out for the finest produce in each.
This year there will also be an award for the best artisan producer in recognition of the huge numbers of people who have gone back to the land and are looking at new ways of making a living off it.
"These awards recognise all that is important to Irish shoppers at the moment — supporting local Irish producers in their own communities, some of whom are making produce that can compete with the best in the world," said Awards chairman Artie Clifford.
Entries are being sought from Irish producers - North and South - for the 2010 Awards. More information is available on www.irishfoodawards.com.
