IFWG warns against failure to support local producers
The spotlight was turned on independent, grassroots food producers as the winners of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards 2011 were unveiled. The awards highlight the vital work of small, independent Irish food producers, at a time when supporting home-grown industry is of the utmost importance.
Those awarded for standards of excellence and for their exceptional contribution to Ireland’s reputation as a top food producing country were:
Janet Drew for Janet’s Country Fayre Beetroot Blush (Wicklow); Brian and Lindy O’Hara for Coopershill House Irish Venison (Sligo); Pat O’Neill for O’Neill Foods’ Dry Cured Rashers, Bacon and Ham (Wexford), with a special Environmental Award going to John Flahavan of Flahavan’s (Waterford).
Artisan baking innovator, Derek O’Brien, was honoured with the Guild’s seldom-awarded Lifetime Achievement Award.
IFWG Chairperson, Orla Broderick said, “Now more than ever, we need to be supporting our local producers, many of whom are suffering as a result of rising costs; cheap, low quality imports and the obvious fact that our economy has contracted significantly.
Michelin star restaurant l’Ecrivain played host to the awards where Sally Anne and Derry Clarke treated Ireland’s top food critics as well as leading industry figures to a special menu, created using the winning produce. The one-off menu was complemented by a selection of wines from Gleesons incorporating Gilbeys and Tipperary Natural Mineral Water.
