The annual Blas na hÉireann Awards took place in Dingle at the weekend, with Ireland's leading supermarket groups again leading the way in terms of awards.
SuperValu performed exceptionally well this year, winning 26 awards in total, of which nine were Gold Awards.
SuperValu products awarded Gold include its Signature Tastes Belgian Chocolate Birthday Cake, Belgian Chocolate Christmas Tree Cake, Signature tastes Cashel Blue Cheese, Signature Tastes Gubbeen, BBQ Pork Ribs, Signature Tastes Fruity Irish Breadcrumb Stuffing and its Signature Tastes Potato Gratin.
Commenting, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, said: "To be recognised and bring home 26 awards at the world's most respected blind food tasting is a tremendous achievement. The performance underlines the quality and taste credentials of SuperValu's food offer and reflects our commitment to working with great local Irish suppliers to deliver the very best taste to Irish consumers."
Meanwhile, Tesco was awarded eleven awards, four of which were Gold. The Tesco products to achieve Gold were its Finest Irish Angus Quarter Pounders, Finest Irish Angus Fillet Steak, Finest Irish Roast Turkey, Pesto & Grilled Vegetables and its Meals Made Easy Fish Pie. Commenting on the awards,
Christine Hefferman, Corporate Affairs Director, Tesco Ireland said: “These eleven awards for Tesco own-brand products underpin our commitment to delivering high quality products at an affordable price for our customers."
Lidl won a total of 16 awards, including five Gold awards, three Silver and eight Bronze. Aldi received nine awards at the event, winning Bronze, Silver and Gold in the Breakfast Cereal (Porridge, Other) Category, with its Crunchy Linseed With Cranberry and Almond cereal achieving Gold.
Aldi Ireland’s Group Buying Director, Rob Farrell commented: “We are thrilled by the phenomenal performance of our Irish suppliers winning nine awards. These Blas na hÉireann awards are a real testament to the quality products that we source from some of the very best food and drink producers in the country."
Dunnes Stores won a total of five awards, including a Gold in the Hard Cheese category with its Extra Mature White Cheddar.
In terms of the convenience sector, Centra took home four awards, while Spar were awarded two awards. Spar's Premium Pork Sausages, developed by Arthur Mallon Foods, won a Gold in the Sausages - Breakfast category, with the more celebrated Superquinn sausage (available in SuperValu) taking the Silver.
Another notable winner was The Kitchen at Quish's, an in-store concept developed by the Quish Group, which won two Gold awards, for its Quish's Red Thai Chicken curry and Quish's Chowder.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Emily Horne
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