A chance to put Mayo's food heroes on the map

It’s time for the nation’s lesser-known, independent food businesses – including those in Mayo – to get the recognition they deserve with a brand new opportunity from the Good Food Ireland Awards 2024.

For the first time in the 18 year history of the awards, the Food Lovers Choice Award nominations will be open to any food business across the Republic and Northern Ireland (including those outside of Good Food Ireland).

Local suppliers, manufacturers' shops, food trucks, distilleries, pubs, restaurants and hotels are all eligible for the prestigious recognition from the highly-regarded cross-sector awards. Now all they need is to be nominated!

Margaret Jeffares, founder and managing director of Good Food Ireland, said: “We’re very excited to open up this year’s Food Lovers Choice Award to all of our nation’s beloved local businesses, celebrating the people who genuinely capture the essence of Ireland's food and drink, setting it in a cultural context to inspire travellers, international consumers and locals to seek out real, authentic Irish food and drink experiences.

“Good Food Ireland is a unique all-island destination brand, showcasing premium culinary and agri-food offerings for almost 20 years, creating competitive advantage and attracting visitors seeking authentic Irish food and drink experiences.

“We’re on the ground, we work alongside Ireland’s agri-food and tourism industry across the four corners of our island. We hear first-hand what is needed from these proud farmers, fishermen, food and drink producers and tourism hospitality providers. We use this knowledge to foster a sense of community, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing and promoting innovation. By highlighting these premium cross-sector experiences, the Good Food Ireland Awards help contribute to economic diversification, increased tourism revenue, preservation of our agricultural and culinary heritage, and improved sustainability and quality of life in rural communities.”

The Good Food Ireland Awards 2024 have been officially launched by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and will take place on Monday, November 11, at The K Club, Co. Kildare.

Minister Humphreys commented: “As Minister for Rural and Community Development, I am delighted to have been in a position to invest in a number of rural and regeneration projects that will do so much in terms of supporting Ireland’s food industry.

“Through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, we are transforming an old historic site in Athy, Co. Kildare, into a state-of-the-art food, drink and innovation hub. Similarly in Co. Roscommon, we have invested hugely in the Castlerea Food Hub to enable it to become a major driver of food innovation, enterprise and job creation in the region. And just last week saw the official opening of the first centre of excellence for the Irish food industry in the country in Athenry, Co. Galway. These are just some of the projects that my Department is supporting through investment under our ambitious five year rural development strategy, Our Rural Future.”

Minister Humphreys went on to send her best wishes to the participants and adjudicators involved in the Good Food Ireland Awards 2024.

She concluded: “I’m delighted to support The Good Food Ireland Awards 2024 – a wonderful initiative that will showcase all that is good about Ireland’s food industry. Irish food producers are world leaders in their field and do us all proud on the global stage. I have no doubt that the adjudicators face an extremely difficult task as they choose the respective winners in each award category. I wish all the participants and organisers the very best of luck and I have no doubt these awards will be a huge success.”

Nominations for the Food Lovers Choice Awards are now open when it will be up to the general public to shout about their most beloved local food heroes. Businesses can also enter the awards directly if they believe they share the Good Food Ireland philosophy – a commitment to prioritising Irish ingredients, sustainably supporting Ireland's farmers, food producers and fishermen. A shortlist will be agreed by the awards’ judging panel, and an overall winner crowned from each corner of the nation: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Dublin, and Northern Ireland.

For online entry as well as updates regarding the individual awards, tickets to the event, and general information about Good Food Ireland, log on to goodfoodireland.ie.