Producers for SuperValu, Ireland’s number one award-winning supermarket, enjoyed huge success at this year’s Blás na hÉireann awards, taking home an impressive 119 awards.
As Ireland’s largest grocery retailer, SuperValu is committed to sourcing the best of Irish and local food and has long-standing relationships with more than 1,800 Irish food and drinks producers. This commitment to Irish food was rewarded by the prestigious Blas na hÉireann awards yesterday, when producers for Ireland’s largest grocery retailer won a total of 119 awards. These included SuperValu Own Brand and its Irish brand producers winning 46 awards, made up of 13 gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze. A special prize for best new product was awarded to Kepak for their SuperValu Irish Beef Dry Aged Striploin.
SuperValu’s Food Academy food and drink producers picked up a total of 73 awards, made up of 19 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze as well as five Chef's Larder's, five best in county and the Rogha na Gaeltachta award.
These wins included gold and best in county for Clare Jam’s new product Doolin Mustard while newcomer Zingibeer, run by father and daughter Kevin and Rachel Byrne, won gold for their Ginger Beer. Zingibeer is made from all natural ingredients including lemon zest and champagne yeast which make the ginger beer sophisticated, zingy and refreshing.
New producers who started with Food Academy in May this year won 13 awards. This is an endorsement of the quality and innovation of Food Academy’s emerging food and drink brands, which form a major part of SuperValu’s support of indigenous food producers.
Ian Allen, Managing Director, SuperValu said, “We are delighted that the Blas na hÉireann awards are once again taking place in person after two years of virtual awards and that once again it was a winning year for SuperValu’s producers. This year SuperValu producers took home a total of 119 awards, including 73 awards for our outstanding Food Academy producers. At SuperValu we are committed to supporting more Irish food producers than any other retailer and in delivering both the best quality and value for our customers. Working with more than 1,800 Irish food producers we are immensely proud of our award-winning brands and it’s wonderful to see the local suppliers and producers receive the recognition they richly deserve.”
Some of the worthy winners from the SuperValu Own Brand range included:
Kepak won best new product for their SuperValu Irish Beef Dry Aged Striploin, gold for their SuperValu Signature Tastes Hereford Irish Fillet Steak, and silver for their SuperValu T-Bone Steak
Kepak is one of Ireland’s leading meat producers and food innovators, with sustainability and animal welfare at the core of their business. This isn’t the first time they’ve taken home gold at the awards, thanks to the high quality of their products. For over 50 years farmers in communities around Ireland have worked with Kepak to process their livestock thanks to the pillars of their proud heritage- meat craft, trusted quality and excellent service.
Ballymaguire Foods won gold for their SuperValu Signature Tastes Moroccan Inspired Irish Lamb Tagine and silver for SuperValu Freshly Prepared Potato Gratin.
Based in North County Dublin, Ballymaguire Foods is passionate about delivering the best quality healthy food, using the best of ingredients. With fully integrated food production, from primary production to wholly owned and assured fresh produce and beef supply, they deliver high quality food to plates around Ireland
Some of the worthy winners from the SuperValu’s Food Academy producers included:
Clonakilty Gluten Free Kitchen won gold for their Gluten Free Multigrain Loaf, silver for their Gluten Free White Bread Rolls, and bronze for their Gluten Free White Loaf.
Clonakilty Gluten Free Kitchen is on a mission to show you don’t need gluten for incredible flavour. Born out of desire to give customers the same options they see in regular ranges the brand now has a delicious range of breads and bakes developed with a focus on quality, taste and deliciousness with something for everyone to enjoy around the table.
On the Pig’s Back won gold for their Duck Live Pâté, silver for their Pork & Plum Terrine, and bronze for their Chicken Liver Pâté with Garlic & Brandy and their Chicken Live Pâté with Smoked Bacon & Port
In 1992 French-native Isabelle Sheridan established On the Pig’s Back in Cork’s renowned English market focusing on the best that Ireland and France have to offer. Known for its legendary homemade pâtés and terrines they have made a clean sweep in the last two Blas na hÉireann awards winning all 3 medals in the Meats - Terrines & Pâté section.
Killua Castle Foods won gold for their Killua Castle Signature Venison Sausages.
Killua Castle Foods is a farm to fork producer with all venison reared and processed on the Killua Castle grounds in Co. Westmeath using fresh local ingredients. Killua, run by Anthony Gilsenan, has a long and colourful history with links to Sir Walter Raleigh and Lawrence of Arabia and the grounds are now home to red deer and rare breed cattle, sheep and goats. The locally produced meat products are fully traceable and have a number of other Blas na hÉireann award wins under their belts.
Now in its 15th year, the Blas Na hÉireann awards is the biggest annual competition for quality Irish produce across the island of Ireland with thousands of products entered hoping to win Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards across 100 food and drink categories. Achieving such levels of quality remains a priority for SuperValu and the retailer is proud to be recognised for delivering the best taste and quality products for its customers.
