DRUMMOND HOUSE WIN AT FOOD AWARDS

Louth’s Drummond House Garlic was named as one of the winners at the Euro-Toques Food Awards which took place in Dublin recently. Drummond House Garlic was one of just five awards given on the night.

Marita and Peter Collier’s innovative range was selected by the judges because of its tasty and intensely flavoured garlic grown from 800-year old heritage seed on their Co Louth farm.

The other winners included Gannet Fishmongers, Crawford’s Farm, Dundrum Dexter Beef and Broughgammon Farm. A special sixth commendation was awarded to the late Veronica Steele of Milleens Cheese, honoured by the Euro-Toques Food Awards for her significant and lasting contribution to the Irish farmhouse cheese industry. Established in 1996 by the members of the Euro-Toques Food Committee, based on an original idea by the legendary Myrtle Allen, the Euro-Toques Food Awards are held annually to recognise and celebrate the very best food being produced in Ireland.

The Euro-Toques Food Awards honour those who produce food of notable flavour and quality. Put forward for consideration by the very chefs who use these exceptional products on their menus daily, the Euro-Toques Food Awards give Euro-Toques member chefs the opportunity to nominate the farmers, fishermen, and food producers who make it possible for them to create superb meals by providing them with the absolute best local produce. Focusing on the foods and production methods that preserve the traditions and heritage of the Irish food, farming and fishing industries, each year Euro-Toques members are asked to nominate their favourite suppliers, creating a list that goes forward to the Euro-Toques Food Council, who then source those nominated products for tasting. The committee arranges visits, gathers further information and then deliberates, putting a firm focus on flavour first, then how the product is made, what goes into it, what impact it has on the environment and a range of other considerations.