Ballynoe farm tastes success at Listowel Food Fair
One local enterprise was amongst the five category winners in the ‘2023 Best Emerging Artisan Food Awards’, as part of the 2023 Listowel Food Fair.
Norma and Tom Dinneen’s Farmhouse Cheese Fenugreek from Bó Rua Farm in Ballynoe took the top prize in the Dairy category, as the awards were announced on Thursday night.
Speaking with The Avondhu, Norma said that all of the family at Bó Rua Farm were ‘absolutely thrilled’ to share the news of their recent win.
“All the family, here at Bó Rua Farm in Ballynoe, are absolutely thrilled to share the news of our recent win at the Best Emerging Artisan Food competition. Our brand new Cheddar with Fenugreek Seeds clinched the top spot in the Dairy category, adding another shiny accolade to our collection after our recent gold medal win at the Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards,” Norma said.
The husband and wife team behind Bó Rua Farm added that they are ‘over the moon’ with the recognition, stating that it speaks to the ‘ small but mighty team and their unwavering commitment to crafting the finest farmhouse cheese’.
As the Dinneen’s approach five years of crafting farmhouse cheese on their family farm, from the milk of their herd of Montbeliarde and Friesian cows, you can now find Bó Rua Farm cheese stocked in over 150 stores nationwide, a figure set to grow as they launch in Dunnes Stores nationwide next month.
Listowel Food Fair's acknowledgement of the local producers further fuels the Dinneen's commitment to excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction and sustainable practices.
In total, there were 5 categories up for consideration at the Listowel Food Fair - Baking & Baked Goods; Free From category; Other category; Dairy category and the Condiments category
The opening event of the 2023 Listowel Food Fair, saw the overall winner of the 2023 ‘Best
Emerging Artisan Food Award’ being awarded to ÉaLú Foods, Dingle owned by Kallam Moriarty with their Chocolate Bon Bon product.
‘IMPORTANT PLATFORM’
Listowel Food Fair chairman, former Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Jimmy Deenihan, stated that the awards were a ‘very important platform’ for companies and were ‘recognised, respected and valued by the Irish food industry’
“This programme was initiated in collaboration with Kerry Local Enterprise Office and has proven to be very successful with many of the previous award recipients, who each year move forward to become established, viable and successful food enterprises in the region.
“I would also like to congratulate this year’s winners for their initiative and ambition in bringing these products to the market.”
IRISH CUISINE ‘EXCEPTIONAL’
Lisa O’Flaherty, Listowel Food Fair commit
tee member and project co-ordinator for the ‘2023 Best Emerging Artisan Food Competition’, said: “Tonight, we honour the resilience of over sixty exceptional artisan products that showcased the highest standard of Irish artisanal craftsmanship. Congratulations to all category winners and a special salute to ÉaLú Chocolates, Dingle, the
Overall Winner, exemplifying the innovation and passion that defines our vibrant food community. Let's embrace the delicious journey ahead, supporting local and savouring the diverse flavours that make Irish cuisine truly exceptional."
The 2023 Listowel Food Fair ran from Thursday 9th – Monday, 13th November.