The Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 were officially launched by Heather Humphreys, T.D. Minister for Rural and Community Development and will take place on Monday, November 11th at The K Club, Co Kildare.
These highly-regarded cross-sector awards, celebrate businesses at every layer of our island’s food and drink industry – from primary producers, to manufacturers, to chefs, shops and restaurants – who embody all that makes Ireland’s food offering so standout.
Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. says: “As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I am delighted to have been in a position to invest in a number of rural and regeneration projects that will do so much in terms of supporting Ireland’s food industry.
“Through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, we are transforming an old historic site in Athy, County Kildare, into a State-of-the-Art food, drink and innovation hub. Similarly in County Roscommon, we have invested hugely in the Castlerea Food Hub to enable it to become a major driver of food innovation, enterprise and job creation in the region. And just last week saw the official opening of the first centre of excellence for the Irish food industry in the country in Athenry, County Galway. These are just some of the projects that my Department is supporting through investment under our ambitious five year rural development strategy, ‘Our Rural Future’.”
Minister Humphreys went on to send her best wishes to the participants and adjudicators involved in the Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024.
She added: “I’m delighted to support The Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 – a wonderful initiative that will showcase all that is good about Ireland’s food industry. Irish food producers are world leaders in their field and do us all proud on the global stage.
“I have no doubt that the adjudicators face an extremely difficult task as they choose the respective winners in each award category. I wish all the participants and organisers the very best of luck and I have no doubt these awards will be a huge success.”
The core emphasis of the Good Food Ireland® Awards is the use of local, fresh, seasonal, Irish ingredients, highlighting tourism-hospitality and retail businesses that prioritise local produce and encouraging others. This in turn supports Irish farmers, food producers and fishermen, sustainably strengthening local economies and communities.
This year’s award categories include: Producer of the Year; Sustainability Award; Food Truck of the Year; Shop of the Year; Pub of the Year; Culinary Haven of the Year; Hotel of the Year; Café of the Year; Outstanding Contribution to Food Production; and Excellence in Food Tourism Award.
Margaret Jeffares, Founder and Managing Director of Good Food Ireland® adds: “Good Food Ireland® is a unique all-island destination brand, showcasing premium culinary and agri-food offerings for almost 20 years, creating competitive advantage and attracting visitors seeking authentic, Irish food and drink experiences. I am honoured that Minister Humphreys recognises the important role and benefit to rural and community development.
“We’re on the ground, we work alongside Ireland’s agri-food and tourism industry across the four corners of our island. We hear first-hand what is needed from these proud farmers, fishermen, food and drink producers and tourism hospitality providers. We use this knowledge to foster a sense of community, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing and promote innovation. By highlighting these premium cross-sector experiences, the Good Food Ireland® Awards help contribute to economic diversification, increased tourism revenue, preservation of our agricultural and culinary heritage and improved sustainability and quality of life in rural communities. They celebrate the people who genuinely capture the essence of Ireland's food and drink, setting it in a cultural context to inspire travellers, international consumers and locals to seek out real, authentic Irish food and drink experiences”.
Dairy farmer and Ice Cream Producer Ivan Kiersey who co-owns Freezin’ Friesian with his two brothers on their County Waterford family farm says: “Being associated with the prestigious Good Food Ireland® Awards elevates our brand reputation and recognition amongst consumers, chefs, and food enthusiasts. This helps us attract new customers, increase sales, and establish Freezin’ Friesian as a leading primary food producer”.
Paul Heery, General Manager of The K Club and host of the upcoming awards adds: “We loved hosting last year’s return of the Good Food Ireland® Awards. It was an incredibly inspiring and uplifting day for all the team. Good Food Ireland’s emphasis on local sourcing and sustainability practices, aligns perfectly with ours and the growing demand for authentic Irish food and drink amongst discerning travellers. The Awards showcase The K Club’s commitment to these values by creating a unique dining experience that reflects the rich culinary heritage of Ireland.
“Celebrating with some of the bastions of our country’s burgeoning food scene also helps us to expand our reach within the local culinary community and associate The K Club with this reputation for quality and authenticity to attract discerning food lovers. We cannot wait for another crack of the whip this year, elevating last year’s business lunch to a glamourous evening event that’s going to feel like one big party including a delicious dinner fuelled by the very local producers we’ve gathered to celebrate”.
All businesses that have met strict criteria prior to being approved to the Good Food Ireland® collection are automatically eligible for the awards. For the first time this year there will also be an opportunity for all other businesses around the island of Ireland that believe they share the Good Food Ireland® philosophy to enter for free, a dedicated “Food Lovers Choice Award”. For more information and online entry as well as updates regarding the individual awards, tickets to the event, and general information about Good Food Ireland® visit goodfoodireland.ie.
Good Food Ireland®
@goodfoodireland
Food Lovers Choice Award applications: https://goodfoodireland.ie/invitation-for-entries-now-open-good-food-ireland-food-lovers-choice-award-2024/
General information about the 2024 Awards: https://goodfoodireland.ie/awards-2024/
