Blast and Wilde Savoury Butters win Supreme Champions at Blas na hEireann 2014

For only the last eight months, Blast & Wilde, based in Monknewtown, Slane, Co Meath, have been working on and building up a range of innovative and gourmet diary products that they believe will delight and tantalize the tastebuds.

They proved to be as true as their word, when they won the Supreme Champion at the finals of this year's Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, held today in Dingle!

Operated, from premises at their home near Slane, by Graham & Bernie Canning and their family, Blast & Wilde had earlier in the day scooped the 'Best in Farmers Market Award' for Meath, before going on to collect Gold (Wild Irish Herb & Roast Garlic Pesto Butter), Silver (Black Olive & Sundried Tomato Tapenade) and Bronze (Zesty Lime, Chilli & Coriander) Blas Awards for their butter products,.

Graham and Bernie Canning from Blast & Wilde, Supreme Champions at Blas na hEireann 2014

Their food is all about authentic flavour, made from quality, fresh, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients and created for the food connoisseur and kitchen rookie alike. Graham firmly believes that anyone can become a chef and by using their products they can bring the restaurant into the heart of every family home.

"We are absolutely delighted with the awards today, we knew our products were great but we didn't expect to be Supreme Champions", said Graham. "Our blended-by-hand products are easy to use and extremely versatile as a spread, in soups or casseroles or toppings. Using seasonal ingredients, we can produce a wide variety of flavours for specific occasions".

"As well as giving you a unique variety of choice there are no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives so you know you are buying a 100% natural Irish product", added Bernie.

Currently on the market they have Wild Garlic and Pesto Butter, Lime, Coriander and Chilli Butter and Black Olive Tapenade Butter but several more varieties are in the pipeline.

For more see www.BlastAndWilde.com and find them on Facebook.
You can email Graham & Bernie at blastandwilde (at) gmail (dot) com

Zack

Neven Maguire named Irish Food Producers' Champion

Ireland's favourite chef, Neven Maguire, was last night crowned 'Irish Food Producers' Champion' at a ceremony in Dingle as part of the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.

The award was presented to Neven, by Artie Clifford, chairman and founder member of the Blas na Eireann committee, during the final judging session of the prestigious  Irish food awards.

Neven Maguire receives the Producers' Champion Award

"The ingredient that underpins your inspiration is your own passion", said Mr Clifford at the presentation. "Your passion for Irish food and produce, your passion for cooking wholesome and healthy food, your passion for teaching others and your passion for your family. On behalf of so many people we'd like to thank you for being a fantastic inspiration to others."


"Thank you for this award," said Neven to the packed house. "I am humbled. It's a pleasure to receive it and it will be on display in my restaurant tonight".

Neven also paid tribute to his late mother from whom he learned his craft saying, "I got my love of Irish food from my mother and I'll never forget where it all started. To receive this award is
wonderful because we have great people involved in food now and the next five or ten years are going to be very exciting.

From a young age, Neven learned his trade by watching his mother cook and his pastime became his passion when he began experimenting with ingredients in the home kitchen at the tender age of 10. In 1992, Neven enrolled in Fermanagh College, Enniskillen, to study catering and received the Student of the Year Award.

"Thank you for this award," said Neven to the packed house. "I am humbled. It's a pleasure to receive it and it will be on display in my restaurant tonight".

Neven also payed tribute to his late mother from whom he learned his craft saying, "I got my love of Irish food from my mother and I'll never forget where it all started. To receive this award is wonderful because we have great people involved in food now and the next five or ten years are going to be very exciting

From a young age, Neven learned his trade by watching his mother cook and his pastime became his passion when he began experimenting with ingredients in the home kitchen at the tender age of 10. In 1992, Neven enrolled in Fermanagh College, Enniskillen, to study catering and received the Student of the Year Award.

"I love my job and I love to promote the great people that are involved in food in Ireland" said a delighted Neven. "This is a great time for me, as a chef, to be cooking and to be supporting these wonderful people. We have gone through a very difficult time here in Ireland, with the recession. We're not fully out of it but we're getting there!"

Neven trained in some of the highest profile restaurants in the world including Michelin Star winning Hotels Roscof in Belfast and the Grand Hotel in Berlin, the Lea Linster in Luxembourg (where he cooked for Lady Diana and Tony Blair) and Arzak, San Sebastian.

In 2001, Neven took over the family business and turned a local restaurant into a national phenomenon. Located in the village of Blacklion, Co. Cavan, MacNean House & Restaurant has become one of the most talked about and frequented restaurants in the country.

Known for his genuine approach to cooking and people, Neven is one of Ireland's best celebrated chefs and is also one of the country's best known Irish food ambassadors on the international scene.

This is the 7th year of the Blas na hEireann (Irish Food Awards) and 2014 saw the biggest number of entries to date.

"We want people abroad to recognise Ireland for the great food that we produce here. We have great chefs and hard working food promoters, but it all starts with our amazing food producers," said Neven. "And that's what awards like the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards are all about".

Congrats Neven, what a great night in Dingle!

Zack