BY DECLAN VARLEY
“The pandemic changed the very nature of consumer behaviour and in turn, forced Ireland’s food producers to change the way in which they operated," said Caroline Hennessy, Chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild (IFWG ), when she announced the winners of the 2022 Irish Food Writers’ Guild FoodAwards, three of whom are from Galway.
"24 months since we first heard the term COVID-19 we are today celebrating the artisan producers and foodbusinesses that stepped up to the plate, continued to serve communities and dug deep during the pandemic, despite all obstacles. We are recognising those who kept moving, got creative, started new ventures and found new ways of reaching their customers,” she added.
THE GALWAY AWARD WINNERS
Food Award: Coolfin cheese, Galway (Teresa Roche is pictured, attached )
Coolfin cheese is an Alpine-style hard cheese made in the foothills of the Slieve Aughty mountains in East Galway by Teresa Roche. The cheese is handmade on the family farm using only summer milk, is fully traceable and has a low carbon footprint. It takes up to ten months to mature and has a deliciously smooth texture with distinctively sweet, creamy and nutty flavours and a lingering aftertaste. Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese Photos and caption HERE
Irish Drink Award: All About Kombucha, Galway
Established in 2017 by two young entrepreneurs from Galway, Emmett Kerrigan and Keith Loftus, All About Kombucha brews freshly fermented sparkling tea from organic ingredients. Each bottle of All About Kombucha is hand-brewed from the organic ingredients of tea, sugar and water. The drink is currently available in three core flavours: raspberry, ginger & lemon and carrot & turmeric, which can be found in over 250 stockists across the country and also purchased online. www.allaboutkombucha.ie Notable contribution to Irish Food Award: Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers, Galway
Stefan Griesbach came to Ireland in 1997, having worked in fish shops in Paris, and started his business with a single stall outside Sheridan's in Galway. Since then, this stall has evolved into Gannet Fishmongers, known for sourcing the very best quality of locally caught fish. Through its online store, Gannet Fishmongers deliver the freshest of Irish fish nationwide; shoppers see what came in from the boats, place their order and receive it soon after, cold-packed and spanking fresh. www.eatmorefish.ie Since 1993, the IFWG Food Awards have celebrated local producers and food heroes who have nourished and brought pleasure to the lives and tables of so many.
Ireland is blessed with a thriving culinary community and the standard of the country’s artisan food produce is world-class but, as noted by the IFWG, there is one standout quality that links the 2022 winners – tradition.
“Many of our 2022 winners are traditional products, but with a twist. From fishmonger to baker, cheese maker to the Galway duo who have played with the traditional Irish love of tea, innovative producers are putting their own stamp on things, creating something unique and something quite delicious,” said Caroline Hennessy.
Passion, hard work and a can-do attitude are core values that the winners of the 2022 IFWG FoodAwards have in abundance and today, the Irish Food Writer’s Guild is recognising the vibrancy and resilience of the Irish food industry with the presentation of eight awards.
The full list of winners of the 2022 Irish Food Writers’ Guild FoodAwards:
1. Food Award: Bread 41, Dublin
2. Food Award: Calvey's Achill Mountain Lamb, Mayo
3. Food Award: Coolfin cheese, Galway
4. Irish Drink Award: All About Kombucha, Galway
5. Notable contribution to Irish Food Award: Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers, Galway
6. Environmental Award:Rock Farm Slane, Meath
7. Community FoodAward: Our Table, Dublin
8. Lifetime Achievement Award: Sally Ferns Barnes, Cork
“I believe there has never been a greater appreciation for Ireland’s food producers and the wider foodcommunity for what they have achieved over the past two years. Amid lockdowns and restrictions, so many of these businesses and producers managed to adapt to soaring demand for click and collect services, online shopping deliveries, food boxes and food trucks. In many ways, our artisan food community are heroes, bringing not just nourishment and sustenance but comfort and even joy to what was otherwise a very difficult period for so many people,” said Caroline Hennessy.
“Today we are honouring eight outstanding winners who represent what is great about the food and drink industry in 21st century Ireland. From embracing sustainability and innovation to keeping age-old traditions alive, each recipient has been singled out because they can inspire us to think outside the box, do more and do it better.”
Una Fitzgibbon, Director of Marketing and Communications at Bord Bia, said: “The Food Writers’ Guild has once again chosen an impressive line-up of winners, representing a variety of sectors, for this year’s awards. The winners really encapsulate the artistry, diversity, and integrity of Irish food production and gastronomy. We are fortunate to have a rich and evolving food culture in Ireland and these awards play an important role in celebrating the people who drive this thriving industry, locally and nationally. Congratulations to all those involved in making these awards happen and, of course, to the deserving winners.”
