Blas na hÉireann Producers Champion 2019 announced
New Zealand-born chef Jess Murphy of Kai cafe and restaurant in Galway has been announced as Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion 2019, for her work in promoting and supporting local food producers and other businesses.
Print11 April 2019
Jess Murphy, proprietor of Kai cafe and restaurant in Galway has been presented with a special “Producers Champion” award by Blas na hÉireann. The award is based on an annual survey of the entire Blas network, which includes food producers in every county in Ireland.
Nominees for Producers’ Champion are put forward by producers early in the year when they are simply asked to nominate the individual they believe is representing and supporting their produce and the produce of other Irish food makers and growers in an effective and helpful way.
Previous winners include Neven Maguire, Simon Coveney TD, John and Sally McKenna of The Insider’s Guide to Ireland and Shane McArdle – all very different individual voices speaking up for Irish food.
New Zealand-born Murphy has been based in Galway since 2005, where she opened the award-winning Kai with her husband, Dave Murphy, in 2011.
At a special breakfast event announcing Murphy’s award, she explained how the philosophy at Kai is to focus on sourcing fresh, organic produce from local suppliers to create daily menus inspired entirely by what is fresh and available from Kai’s network of producers.
Murphy also was winner of Best Chef 2018 at the Irish Restaurant Awards, and is a regular Irish Times columnist
“Our suppliers have become our friends,” says Jess Murphy, “and our extended family. Kai reflects Galway’s Sea Road and the west community of locals, artists and hungry eaters, as well as being a showcase for amazing local farmers, cheese makers and suppliers and our extended family of Irish producers who grow and create mind-bogglingly brilliant and delicious ingredients.
!I am proud to have been voted Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion 2019 by people I have such respect and admiration for,” she added. “It’s a pleasure to work with them and their fantastic produce.”
Meanwhile, Blas na hÉireann chairman Artie Clifford, was also the recepient of an award this week. He was presented with the prestigious Mike Butt Award by the RAI, recognising his contribution to the Irish food industry.
Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2019 received online before 30th of April are at the discounted early bird fee of €60 per entry (ex VAT). The full entry fee, applicable from 1 May to 15 June is €75 per entry (ex VAT).
http://www.irishfoodawards.com.
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