Brian McDermott is announced as Blas na hÉireann 2021 Producers’ Champion

Mentor, ambassador and popular Donegal chef Brian McDermott is announced as Blas na hÉireann 2021 Producers’ Champion alongside a baker’s dozen of highly commended nominees. This year the Blas team asked producers to nominate people who they felt were doing their utmost to support and promote Irish food. Looking back on 2020, it was very clear that local support was invaluable to producers and this was evident in the suggestions that came back from producers. So much so that rather than just one name coming forward from the nominations, they saw a dream team of champions being suggested all across the country who had supported producers in a very tough year.

The names that were suggested represent a broad range across the food industry from chefs and independent retailers to advisers and networks: Ardkeen Stores, Brian McDermott, Ciara Leahy, Conor Spacey, Con Traas, the Gastro Gays, Gaz Smith, Hussey Fruit & Veg, Indie Fude, Joe McNamee, McCambridges, Olivia Duff, Oonagh Monahan, Phillippe Farineau. A baker’s dozen of Blas na hÉireann heroes alongside one name who just pipped the post, as chef Brian McDermott is announced as Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion 2021. 

“2020 was a year like no other for our producers,” says Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hÉireann, “and with the pandemic stretching on into this year, we weren’t surprised to see such a widespread and diverse mix of nominees for our 2021 Producers’ Champion. People have continued to support local and the sense of community so firmly established during the challenge of last year has been maintained. We wanted to give a shout out to all the great individuals, couples, families and businesses who were nominated. The work being done in every corner of this island by people on the ground in a variety of professions is immense, all with one common goal of supporting and championing Irish food. We’re thrilled to announce Brian McDermott as the ultimate Producers’ Champion for 2021.” 

Joining past Producers’ Champion and heroes of the Irish food industry like Simon Coveney, Neven Maguire, John & Sally McKenna, Shane McArdle, Kai’s Jess Murphy and last year’s winners, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell and Rachel Allen, Brian is in good company when it comes to celebrating and supporting the very best in Irish food and drinks.

Speaking of his award Brian said, “I’m so chuffed to be announced as the Blas na hÉireann Producers’ Champion for 2021. I’ve been a long-time supporter of what Artie and the Blas team do each year and I love being a part of the process in finding great Irish products. We missed not being in Dingle last October, but seeing the awards go ahead virtually was brilliant. Being from Donegal I have been so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful produce all my life and seeing that produce used with such respect by my mother growing up stayed with me. Banging the drum for the best of Irish is second nature to me and I’m thrilled that my passion has been recognised in this way by the producers I admire so much.”