Backyard at Blas takes to the road again
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, The Backyard at Blas returned to the road today (Thursday, 27th April 2023), bringing Blas na hÉireann's networking and learning event to Irish food producers who attended the event at the Seamus Ennis Centre in The Naul Village, Dublin.
The Backyard at Blas on the Road event is designed to bring the country’s food and drink producers together to network, share experiences, and gather insights into running a business.
The full-day event was split into two sessions, the morning session focussed on strategic positioning, knowing your brand, strategically thinking about the best channel for your product, and negotiating with buyers, as well as the challenges involved.
Industry speakers in the morning session were Annie Dunne, The Art of Grate Food and former Food Leadership Team member at Harrods Food Halls; Malachy O’Connor, Food First Consulting bringing his extensive experience of retail in Ireland having worked with Dunnes, Superquinn, Spar, and Aldi; and Oonagh Monahan, a consultant mentor who has mentored over 350 food and drink start-ups.
The afternoon session covered PR, media, and social media and included panel discussions with Brian McDermott award-winning celebrity chef, author and presenter; Sharon Noonan freelance Marketing consultant and presenter of weekly show on West Limerick 102FM, and Vivienne Gleeson, PR consultant and business mentor specialising in the food, drink, hospitality, environment, and not-for-profit sectors.
The Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards celebrate and reward the very best-tasting Irish food and drink products and the passionate, driven producers who make them.
The Blas Awards are the biggest blind tasting of produce on the island of Ireland, and 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 Department of UCC, is recognised as an international industry standard.
In 2022 entries reached almost 3000 products and many new products entered the awards for the first time. Products from every county in Ireland were entered to win bronze, silver, or gold awards in over 150 categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.
The Awards take place in Dingle, Co Kerry this year on 29th September 2023. The Blas na hÉireann Village with Networking, Showcase, Awards, and ‘Eat Ireland in a Day’ runs from 28th September until the 1st of October.
Entries for the #Blas2023 Awards are open until 17th May 2023. To enter, click here.
Aidan Kelly, owner of The Grill Shack and maker of award winning hot sauces and Rosemary O’Shea of Tullahay Farm soft cheeses and whey drinks speaking with Vivienne Gleeson, PR consultant.
Artie Clifford, Blas na hÉireann speaking with Chef Brian McDermott
Artie Clifford, Chairperson, Blas na hÉireann
