Jane and Louis Grubb, the couple behind one of Ireland’s best known cheese brands, have received a lifetime achievement award for their outstanding contribution to Irish food, by the Irish Food Writers’ Guild (IFWG).
Cashel Blue is responsible for creating Ireland’s first native blue cheese and has won many awards since its humble beginnings in Tipperary 41 years ago, when just eight cheeses at a time were made in a repurposed 80-litre copper brewer’s vat, using milk from the family farm at Beechmount, near Fethard, Co Tipperary.
The Grubb’s award was one of eight awards presented at a lunchtime ceremony today at Ananda Restaurant in Dundrum, Co Dublin, where chef Sunuraj Thadiyil Kuttapan and Conor Spacey, featured the winning produce.
Three Irish food awards were also presented to Sneem Black Pudding, made in south Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula by Peter O’Sullivan, who runs a third-generation family-operated craft butchers; Murphy’s Ice Cream, set up by New York-born Irish brothers Seán and Kieran Murphy in 2000 and North Dublin’s Higgins Family Butchers for their 40-day aged Côte de boeuf.
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Speaking at the event, Paula McIntyre, chair of the IFWG warned of “greenwashing” infiltrating the food and drinks sector in ways “many of us don’t even realise”.
“Offending brands use vague buzzwords, deceptive green packaging, and even dubious certifications to take advantage of consumers’ efforts to shop and eat more sustainably – without making any real environmental impact.”
Meanwhile, she said, truly sustainable Irish producers work tirelessly to uphold the highest ethical and environmental standards, often “without the recognition or support they deserve ... sustainability is a consistent thread linking our annual award winners. And this year is no different.”
This year’s Irish drink award was presented to Pooka Hazelnut Poitín Liqueur of Mourne Dew Distillery in Co Down. Originally a barrister, Donal Farrell set up Mourne Dew in 2017 with the aim to combine tradition with modern technology in his spirit production. Making spirits runs in Farrell’s DNA; his ancestors were well-known poitín makers going at least as far back as the 1870s. His award-winning Pooka Hazelnut Poitín Liqueur offers a fresh take on traditional poitín.
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Moy Hill Farm, Co Clare was awarded the notable contribution to Irish food award. Founded in 2013 by Fergal and Sally Smith as a 0.2-hectare (half-acre) community garden, the couple’s project has since evolved and they now own 67 acres and lease a further 20 hectares (50 acres). The judges said the regenerative farm’s dedication to promoting biodiversity and teaching future generations the art of holistic farming set it apart from other businesses, as does the quality of its organic produce.
Master Chefs Ellan Farm was presented with the environmental food award for their blend of sustainability and zero-waste practices in supplying food to Ireland’s catering industry. The award recognises the Limerick organic farm’s ethical, community-focused approach to food production.
This year’s community food award was presented to the Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA), a Clare-based environmental organisation who conserve Ireland’s threatened crop heritage. The ISSA maintains a public seed bank of over 600 varieties of seed, and earned this award for their outstanding efforts in safeguarding plant genetic resources.
The IFWG awards have been running since 1993, and are judged by members of the Guild, who purchase the products anonymously. Winning products must be produced in Ireland and the main ingredient must be Irish grown or produced. The awards are sponsored by Bord Bia.
Winners of the 2025 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards
- Food Award: Sneem Black Pudding, Peter Ó’ Sullivan Butchers, Co Kerry
- Food Award: Murphy’s Ice Cream, Co Kerry
- Food Award: 40 day aged Côte de boeuf, Higgins Family Butcher, Co Dublin
- Irish Drink Award: Pooka Hazelnut Poitín Liqueur, Mourne Dew Distillery, Co Down
- Notable contribution to Irish Food Award: Moy Hill Farm, Co Clare
- Environmental Award: Master Chefs Ellan Farm, Co Limerick
- Community Food Award: Irish Seed Savers Association, Co Clare
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Jane and Louis Grubb, Cashel Blue, Co Tipperary
