Blas na hÉireann renews partnership with Bank of Ireland
Blas na hÉireann and Bank of Ireland have announced that the bank will once again sponsor the innovative Backyard at Blas events set to take place at this year's Irish Food Awards in Dingle, Co. Kerry, in October.
Print16 July 2019
The countdown has begun to the 2019 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, which will once again include the hugely successful Backyard at Blas events, an innovative meeting designed to bring producers and other industry professionals together in an informal way to meet, mingle and share their experiences of growing and running a business.
For the third year running, the Backyard at Blas event will be sponsored by Bank of Ireland.
Speaking of the renewed partnership between Bank of Ireland and Blas na hÉireann, Liam Sheedy, director of Munster for Bank of Ireland said the group is delighted to partner once more with Blas na hEireann.
“We have witnessed firsthand the impact and assistance the innovative networking space of Backyard at Blas has provided to new Irish food businesses,” said Sheedy. “In the same way that Bank of Ireland supports communities, that is also a key priority for the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards with Backyard at Blas. These energetic and passionate food producers and the array of exceptional Irish products created by them is something we are more than happy to support.”
The programme for Backyard at Blas 2019 is yet to be announced but will, as always, be packed full of interesting talks with people in the industry with a lot to say and valuable insight and expertise to impart.
A ‘Backyard at Blas’ event took place at the picturesque surroundings of the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in north Dublin recently, and included a fascinating presentation by Malachy O’Connor, founder of Irish Food Consulting. O’Connor has held technical and buyer roles in almost all of the major retailers and shared invaluable insight into the buying process from both sides of “the table”, before guests enjoyed a sun-soaked networking lunch of Blas na hÉireann award-winning produce.
On the topic of the renewed sponsorship of Backyard at Blas, chairperson and Awards founder Artie Clifford said that Bank of Ireland continues to play an active role in supporting the success of Backyard at Blas. “Their generosity allows our producers the opportunity to learn, to listen to the experience and advice of others,” Clifford said, “and to develop strategies, networks and connections in a mutually supportive and positive setting.
“Backyard at Blas is something we are very proud of at Blas na hÉireann and we are grateful to Bank of Ireland for their continued support,” he added.
Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are the largest food awards on the island, open to all 32 counties, with judging taking place during June and July, finalists notified in August, and finalist judging in Dingle, the home of the awards, on 2-3 October. With Backyard at Blas talks taking place on 4-5 October, the final Blas na hÉireann 2019 awards will be presented on these dates alongside these popular producer networking events.
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