Three Westmeath producers among Blas na hÉireann 2020 finalists

Durrow Mills, Luna Ventures Ltd trading as Killua Castle and Mr Crumb have been listed about the finalists for the Blas na hÉireann 2020 awards.

The Blas na hÉireann team have been working since March to ensure that Blas 2020 goes ahead, maintaining their commitment to celebrating the best in Irish food and drink.

Chairperson, Artie Clifford, says that now, more than ever, it is essential to shine a spotlight and give that a clap on the back to the talented producers around the island.

Faced with restrictions on college campuses still in place, and under the watchful eye of the academic director, Professor Joe Kerry of UCC, Blas judging relocated to Dingle in July, ensuring it was handled with the same care and attention as always.

The finalists shortlisted from Westmeath are in a range of categories.

After the first round of judging, the top scoring products from a number of categories went through a second round of tasting, in Dingle and at venues across the country.

In conjunction with UCC, the results were studied, and the two entirely separate panels returned the exact same rankings.

Therefore, these results will be used to determine the winners of Blas na hÉireann 2020 as the weekend of events in Dingle in October has been cancelled.

The annual gathering that takes place each year is an important part of the Blas experience and the team are working hard to move as many events to a virtual format as is possible.

Due to the success of the digital Backyard in April, and the fact that the Backyard has become an important aspect of the Blas weekend, there will be a series of Backyard panels online this year.

An programme that reflects the times we are living in and the challenges producers and buyers are facing is being scheduled.

The awards will be announced over the course of the day on October 3 on the Blas website and on social media channels.

(Photo at top, Lisa Larkin of Durrow Mills.)