Food and Drink producers in the Midlands have received 21 nominations in the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2023, in recognition of the world-class food and drink producers located throughout the region.

Now in their 10th year, the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards have become a well-recognised badge of excellence amongst customers and the food and drink community across the island of Ireland.

And the Finalists are….

The 21 awards shortlists for the Midlands region highlight the quality and range of the food and drink produced in our region – from Gluten Free bakes, to Lemonade, Micro-herbs, Organic yogurts, Quality meats, Handmade chocolates, Sourdough bread and more:

• G’s Gourmet Jams and founder Helen are long at the heart of the Laois and Midlands food scene, and are nominated for 3 Awards in the Preserves category for their Four Summer Fruits, Strawberry and Raspberry jams.
• Glenisk from Killeigh Co. Offaly are one of the most well-known names in Irish Organic Foods for their dairy produce, and are nominated for their Greek-style natural yogurt
• Panelto Foods, a leading bakery in Co. Longford supply many of Ireland’s largest supermarkets, and are nominated for 2 awards for their Deluxe White Sourbough Bread and their Honey and Oat Loaf
• The Irish Craft Soda Company, a new venture from well-known Athlone brewery Dead Centre Brewing, are nominated for their Lemonade in the soft drinks category
• The Village Dairy in Killeshin produce a range of local milk and cream products, including their multi-award winning Jersey Cow range, they are nominated for their Irish Organic Jersey Whole Milk
• Carroll’s of Tullamore are known across the country for their range of Hams and meats, as well as their ready-meals, they are nominated for their Dry Cure Shaved Italian Herb Ham
• Goodness Grains in Longford produce a range of award-winning gluten free baked goods, and are nominated for a seasonal one, the Christmas ‘Free From’ award, for their Gluten Free Mince Pies
• Waldron Meats in Athlone are nominated for 4 awards for their Baked Ham in Mustard and Honey Glaze, Wiltshire Ham Fillets and their Cured and Dry Cured Back Rashers
• Bowfield Farm in Laois use cutting-edge hydroponics to grow their range of microherbs, and are nominated for 2 Awards in the fresh produce category for their Micro Basil and Micro Coriander Herbs
• Rudd’s in Birr are well-known for their range of meat products, expanding in recent years with plant-based and eat well ranges, they are nominated for 2 reduced fats meats awards for their Eat Well Turkey Pudding and their Eat Well Lean Pork Sausages
• Temptation Patisserie, the multi-award winning chocolatiers, run by twin sisters Kate & Ruth O’Hara from their Chocolate Boutique in Abbeyleix, are nominated for their Caramel Collection
• Ion Oils in Laois produce a range of high-quality 100% certified organic cold-pressed oils, and are nominated for their Organic Poppy Seed Oil
• Sugar Plum Sweetery is creating a buzz with their stunning Sweet Shop and handmade chocolates in the heart Mullingar, and are nominated for their Florentine Flavour Chocolate Slab

Judging and Awards

Entries are judged by an independent judging panel of over 100 industry experts, during an extremely rigorous judging process. By winning an Irish Quality Food and producers are demonstrating to both existing and potential customers that they have earned a gold standard of excellence. The winners will be announced at an awards event to be held in the Mansion House Dublin on the 6th of September.

To discover more about Food and Drink Producers in the Midlands, or to sign-up to our Midlands Food & Drink Directory 2023, visit our Food & Drink page