Nine Kildare food companies make Blas na hÉireann final

NINE exceptional producers from Kildare have made it through to the final stage of Ireland’s most prestigious food awards Blas na hÉireann.

The finalists shortlisted from Kildare across a wide range of categories are Bergins Family Butchers, Coghlan’s Bakery Products, and Couverture Desserts from Naas, O'Brien Fine Foods in Timahoe, Rye River from Celbridge, The Dew Drop Brewhouse in Kill, The Grill Shack, Donadea, Trouble Brewing in Kildare town, Wild Women Bitters in Naas also.

“We’ve been shortlisted for two products,” said Celine Hayes, CEO of Couverture Desserts in Monread for the last 27 years.

“It’s a Supervalu Signature Taste Belgian chocolate Yule log, and a Belgian chocolate brownie."

She added: “We have quite the collection of stars on our walls.

“A few years ago we won Best Dessert for three yeas in a row, so there is a bit of history with us and Blas." 

The countdown is now officially on for the return to Dingle this autumn, where the very best of Irish food and drink will be celebrated from Thursday 2 October to Sunday 5 October, with the Blas Village, Showcase, Eat Ireland in a Day market, and the awards themselves all running on the Friday (3 October).

Now in its 18th year, Blas na hÉireann continues to grow, with more than 3,000 entries submitted from across the island, and a record number of new producers taking part.

The 2025 awards also see the biggest ever expansion in categories, now totalling 190, including significant growth in fast-evolving areas such as alcoholic drinks and their non-alcoholic alternatives.

The judging, which took place over May, June and July in partnership with UCC and TU Dublin, is blind-tasted and scored by a network of expert judges, including chefs, buyers, academics, restaurateurs, and industry leaders.

Only the top entries from each category make it to the finalist stage, which is a huge achievement in itself.

“We are proud to be associated with the Blas na hÉireann Awards this year and delighted to see the quality and range of our finalists which is truly representative of the best of Kildare’s distinctive food and beverage culture, at all levels, from micro enterprises to sustainably scaled producers,” said Jacqui Mc Nabb, Kildare County Council’s Head of Enterprise, Economic Development and Tourism.