We are over the moon to be selected by the Irish Food Writers’ Guild as winners of the 2022 Environmental Award. This is a huge honour for us – it’s a very prestigious award made by the premier food writers in the country. The IFWG Food Awards are unique in that no business or individual can enter, nor do they know if they have been nominated or shortlisted for an award. We’re chuffed to be amongst the winners!
The awards were made on International Womens Day and Carina Conyngham is proud to be one of the award winning women. Caroline Hennessy, Chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild (IFWG), who announced the winners, drew attention to this saying, “It’s particularly fitting, as we mark International Women’s Day that five awards were presented to some of the food industry’s most inspirational women.”
This is the short citation about Rock Farm from the awards:
Environmental Award: Rock Farm Slane, Meath
Owned by the Conyngham family, Rock Farm Slane is an intertwined organic farm and ecotourism business underpinned by sustainable and environmentally-conscious practices. Organic cattle, pigs, hens, turkeys and vegetables are all produced on the 90-acre farm, which is run according to permaculture principles. This is complemented by luxury eco-glamping, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the food, landscape and culture of the Boyne Valley region. www.rockfarmslane.ie
Here is some more information about the awards and other winners from the IFWG’s press release:
“The pandemic changed the very nature of consumer behaviour and in turn, forced Ireland’s food producers to change the way in which they operated. 24 months since we first heard the term COVID-19 we are today celebrating the artisan producers and food businesses that stepped up to the plate, continued to serve communities and dug deep during the pandemic, despite all obstacles. We are recognising those who kept moving, got creative, started new ventures and found new ways of reaching their customers,” said Caroline Hennessy, Chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild (IFWG), who today announced the winners of the 2022 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards.
Ireland is blessed with a thriving culinary community and the standard of the country’s artisan food produce is world-class but, as noted by the IFWG, there is one standout quality that links the 2022 winners – tradition.
“Many of our 2022 winners are traditional products, but with a twist. From fishmonger to baker, cheese maker to the Galway duo who have played with the traditional Irish love of tea, innovative producers are putting their own stamp on things, creating something unique and something quite delicious,” said Caroline Hennessy.
“I believe there has never been a greater appreciation for Ireland’s food producers and the wider food community for what they have achieved over the past two years. Amid lockdowns and restrictions, so many of these businesses and producers managed to adapt to soaring demand for click and collect services, online shopping deliveries, food boxes and food trucks. In many ways, our artisan food community are heroes, bringing not just nourishment and sustenance but comfort and even joy to what was otherwise a very difficult period for so many people.
“Passion, hard work and a can-do attitude are core values that the winners of the 2022 IFWG Food Awards have in abundance and today, the IFWG is recognising the vibrancy and resilience of the Irish food industry with the presentation of eight awards. It’s particularly fitting, as we mark International Women’s Day that five awards were presented to some of the food industry’s most inspirational women.”
The winners of the 2022 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards are:
- Food Award: Bread 41, Dublin
- Food Award: Calvey's Achill Mountain Lamb, Mayo
- Food Award: Coolfin cheese, Galway
- Irish Drink Award: All About Kombucha, Galway
- Notable contribution to Irish Food Award: Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers, Galway
- Environmental Award: Rock Farm Slane, Meath
- Community Food Award: Our Table, Dublin
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Sally Ferns Barnes, Cork
Since 1993, the IFWG Food Awards have celebrated local producers and food heroes who have nourished and brought pleasure to the lives and tables of so many.
“Today we are honouring eight outstanding winners who represent what is great about the food and drink industry in 21st century Ireland. From embracing sustainability and innovation to keeping age-old traditions alive, each recipient has been singled out because they can inspire us to think outside the box, do more and do it better,” said Caroline Hennessy.
Una Fitzgibbon, Director of Marketing and Communications at Bord Bia, said: “The Food Writers’ Guild has once again chosen an impressive line-up of winners, representing a variety of sectors, for this year’s awards. The winners really encapsulate the artistry, diversity, and integrity of Irish food production and gastronomy. We are fortunate to have a rich and evolving food culture in Ireland and these awards play an important role in celebrating the people who drive this thriving industry, locally and nationally. Congratulations to all those involved in making these awards happen and, of course, to the deserving winners.”
The Irish Food Writers’ Food Awards
The IFWG Food Awards are unique. No business or individual can enter, nor do they know if they have been nominated or shortlisted for an award. The Guild is the sole nominating and decision-making body* whose members nominate and anonymously buy products for tasting. Proportional representation voting is then undertaken at a Guild tasting meeting. Winning products must be produced in Ireland and the main ingredient must be Irish grown or produced.
*With the exception of the Community Food Award, for which the Guild invites nominations.