Bratzel Bakery and Irish Gourmet Butter have been announced as the 2020 award winners.
The Irish Food Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of Irish Food, are the largest food awards on the island of Blasna Hiran, and are available to 32 counties.
For more than 150 years, the local Dublin bakery, Bretzal Bakery, has been crowned the supreme champion of the Pain de Maison Bowl, using a large round of naturally fermented sourdough wheat and whole rye flour.
The Bowl is the culmination of 15 years of hard work by the Bakers ’Brett Cell team.
“We are delighted to be crowned the Supreme Champion for our Pain de Maison Bowl at Brett Cell Bakery,” said bakery owner William Despard.
“This is a time when manufacturers up and down the country are very upset, and our own experience echoes that of many others.”
He added: “By focusing on our hospitality business retail, we have been able to ensure that Brettcell does not survive this crisis, but thrives.
The Blas Supreme Champion Award is in recognition of the incredible hard work and laser focus of all the amazing staff at Brettzel Bakery.
Founded in 2017, Irish Gourmet Butter wins the award for Best Craft Product for their lightly salted butter product.
This year’s winner, lightly salted and traditional, is made in Dunhill Co. Waterford, with peanut salt added from grass-fed cow’s milk.
“Our first award with Blasna Hiren in 2017 was very encouraging at the time when we started the business,” said Mary Sharp, who runs Irish Gourmet Butter with her husband Billy.
“It was a vote of confidence, and it made a real difference in our business for users to see the Blaze Medal logo on our butter,” she said. “We can’t be quiet or happy.”
The judging in Dingley took place in July this year and the finalists will be notified in August.
The team behind Blasna Hiren is delighted to see how this year’s awards come together in light of the increased restrictions during the Kovid – 19 pandemic.
Blasna Hiran Chairperson Artie Clifford said: “Due to restrictions on college campuses and meetings, our division of blas this year was very different from our usual format.
“We are happy with how well this has worked out this year in challenging circumstances, and we are happy to announce our best pair of winners.”
He added: “The mission of the Blazers – to set quality standards for Irish products on a level playing field – is strictly adhered to and measured again this year, despite the challenges we all face.”
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