Food Awards | Euro-Toques Food Awards

The annual Euro-Toques Food Awards aim to recognise the very best artisan food producers currently working in Ireland. The recipients are voted on by Euro-Toques chefs who themselves subscribe to the highest standards in sourcing ingredients and culinary excellence.

A look back at the 2023 Euro-Toques Food Awards at Dunbrody House, Co. Wexford

The awards, which were established in 1996 by the members of the Euro-Toques Food Committee and based on an idea by legendary Irish chef Myrtle Allen, include a wide range of categories from makers of hand-cooked crisps, farmhouse cheeses, grass-fed poultry and dairy products to artisanal beers and spirits. They can be established family businesses or new one-person operations seeking to bring superb new produce to the market.

Garden party at Ashford Castle 2018

There are currently about 3,500 small to medium-sized food businesses operating in Ireland. Euro-Toques chefs enjoy working directly with theses producers and acknowledge that the quality of the food being produced in Ireland contributes to the success of their restaurants. By working together, food producers and top chefs are helping to enhance Ireland’s reputation around the world as a location for the finest food and highest-quality restaurants.

The Euro-Toques Food Awards support that by recognising excellence, home-grown talent and entrepreneurship in Irish food production. The Euro-Toques Food Awards also honour individuals or organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to food in Ireland, whether through food writing, research, lobbying or hands-on involvement in food.

Selection process

The Food Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the very best food being produced in Ireland. The awards honour those who produce food of notable flavour and quality. Focusing on the foods and production methods that preserve Irish traditions and heritage, farming and fishing industries, the Euro-Toques Food Council have nominated the producers deserving recognition across six categories: Water, Land, Farm, Dairy, Artisan produce, and Traditional craft.

Four producers have been selected in each category, taking into consideration taste and flavour, integrity of production, the use of wholesome natural ingredients, provenance, and environmental sustainability.

Chef members of Euro-Toques Ireland are then asked to vote on their favourite produce/producer within each category.

2024 Categories: Produce/Producers are nominated under the following categories, with four in each category.

Land – To honour our heritage – the forests, nature, the wild and above all, our soil with a focus on the growing of varietal herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, fruits and grains in a sustainable way; caring for bees to produce honey; foraging for mushrooms, edible fruit, herbs and vegetables; culling wild game sustainably.

This year, for the LAND category, the Euro-Toques Ireland Food Council has selected to award those in regenerative agriculture to highlight the importance of circular economy, by reducing waste and pollution, circulating products of the highest value and regenerating nature. The Council would like to shine a light on growers who implement a holistic approach to agriculture by actively restoring soil fertility, increasing biodiversity, sequestering and reducing emissions, improving nutrient cycling in the soil, animal welfare and water quality

Farm – To honour the best and more sustainable way to rear animals with a focus on: rear breed and native animal production; small farmers; sustainable production of meat, poultry, eggs, and game. This year, for the FARM category, the Euro-Toques Ireland Food Council has selected to award producers of charcuterie meats. The ancient craft of salting, smoking and curing meats is experiencing a revival in Ireland, with professionals across the country experimenting with pork, beef, buffalo and venison meat. Despite the relatively small number of charcuterie producers in Ireland, their impact is significant. These artisans are not only mastering traditional methods but also innovating within the craft, creating products that capture the unique flavours and character of the Irish landscape. The rise of Irish charcuterie mirrors the revival of raw milk cheese production, both contributing to a distinct and authentic “sense of place” in Ireland’s culinary landscape.  Irish charcuterie is more than just a nod to tradition; it’s a celebration of local terroir and craftsmanship. The careful curing process, often influenced by the surrounding environment, results in meats that are rich in flavour and deeply rooted in the Irish countryside. Each product tells a story of the land, the animals, and the people who produce it. 

Dairy – To honour Ireland’s rich and flavoursome dairy bounty with a focus on the sustainable approach to the production of milk, butter, cream, yoghurt, cheese and ice cream. This year, for the DAIRY category, the Food Council has selected to award producers of raw milk cheese.

This year, for the DAIRY category, the Euro-Toques Ireland Food Council has selected to pay tribute to producers of raw milk cheese.  Ireland is home to a small number of artisans who craft cheese using raw milk from cows or goats. Unlike pasteurised milk, raw milk preserves the natural microflora of the landscape, allowing it to uniquely influence the character and flavour of the cheese. By championing these raw milk cheesemakers, Euro-Toques aims to shine a light on those who are not only preserving a vital culinary tradition but also safeguarding the heritage and authenticity of Irish cheese-making. These producers are crucial to maintaining the depth and diversity of Ireland’s dairy culture, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the distinct flavors that can only be found in raw milk cheeses. 

Artisan Produce – To honour a product which requires a traditional and handmade process. An award that might highlight the Second Generation of producers with a focus on: the production of a product like oils, vinegars, flours, beer, cider, juices, spirits, jams, chutneys, pickles, smoked meat and fish. This year, for the ARTISAN PRODUCE category, the Food Council has selected to award producers of fermented no and low-alcohol drinks.

The age-old tradition of fermentation has deep roots in Ireland’s culinary heritage and has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years.  From water kefirs to kombuchas, these once-niche health products have evolved into beloved mainstream beverages. Across the country, small-scale producers are crafting small batches of organic, seasonal drinks that are not only delicious but also rich in health benefits. Euro-Toques seeks to highlight those Irish producers who pour their genuine passion into creating these unique drinks. The meticulous fermentation process, which can take anywhere from 7 to 30 days, is a testament to their dedication. Many of these artisans go the extra mile, sourcing local or foraged ingredients to infuse their beverages with distinctive, authentic flavours. By honouring these producers, Euro-Toques Ireland acknowledges the importance of preserving and celebrating the art of fermentation, ensuring that this vital tradition continues to thrive in the modern culinary landscape. 

Traditional Craft/ Skill – To honour the people behind the product who protect and preserve our culinary skills, technique and craft, whilst inspiring the future, with a focus on: a person/people who has an unique skill that needs to be championed and/or protected. A person perhaps who is actively passing this skill down to the next generation through their work. It can be a butcher, a baker, a fishmonger or fish smoker, a cheesemaker, a grower or a grocer, a producer or a forager.

This year, for the TRADITIONAL CRAFT/SKILL category, the Food Council has selected to award independent distillers, who are reviving the age-old craft of spirit and whiskey distillation in Ireland. Over the past decade, this ancient art has experienced a remarkable revival, bringing new life to a tradition that has been a cornerstone of Irish culture for centuries.  The unique taste of Irish spirits and whiskeys is deeply rooted in the traditional distilling processes, yet it is the individual nuances that each distiller brings to the craft that truly sets them apart. Every distiller, with their own variations on time-honoured techniques, imparts a distinct character to their spirits, shaped by their skill, expertise, and the influence of the Irish landscape. Ireland’s breathtaking coastlines, rolling hills, and lush countryside provide not only the raw ingredients but also the inspiration that infuses every bottle. The spirit of the land is captured in the distilling process, creating a product that is as much a reflection of the environment as it is of the distiller’s craft. This connection to place and tradition is what makes Irish spirits and whiskeys so exceptional—not just in flavour, but in the rich stories that accompany each distillery. By honouring independent distillers, Euro-Toques Ireland recognises the importance of preserving and advancing this ancient craft, ensuring it remains a vibrant and integral part of Ireland’s cultural and culinary heritage.

Water – The Island Nation Award to represent produce from our seas, lakes and rivers, with a focus on sustainable sea and river fish; shellfish; salts; seaweeds; sea vegetables. This year, for the WATER category, the Euro-Toques Ireland Food Council has selected to award producers of Oysters to continue highlighting the importance of regenerative aquaculture in Ireland. With over 7,000 Km of indented coastline, Ireland is an ideal location for oyster farming. Oysters have been at the heart of Irish coastal communities for centuries and their role is now more important than ever. The benefits of oyster farming extend to the environment, as oysters act as filters, improving water quality and positively impacting the marine ecosystem, increasing biodiversity, sediment stabilisation and sequestering carbon. Oyster farming is critical to marine life and to the protection of our shores. Euro-Toques Ireland would like to shine a light on oyster farms and farmers on the island of Ireland.