Euro-Toques Ireland marked its 30th birthday with its annual Food Awards ceremony as it celebrated the best of Irish produce.
The group, which has more than 3000 members in 16 countries, according to The Irish Times, held the event in Cork and was hosted by Darina Allen, daughter-in-law to Ballymaloe House founder Myrtle Allen.
Winners at the ceremony included Mayo's Velvet Cloud Irish Sheep's Milk yogurt, Pigs on the Green for their free range pork, Achill Oysters, Real Bread Ireland, Waterfords Ardkeen Quality Food Store and Cloonconra Cheese.
Enda McEvoy of Michelin star restaurant Loam in Galway served canapes using the winners' produce, while a group of Euro-Toque chefs prepared a dinner to celebrate the event as well as Myrtle Allen's 92nd birthday.
Discussing the winners, Darina Allen said: "Perhaps no artisan product expresses the place and people that produce it as much as raw milk cheese. Each one is unique and almost certainly a labour of love by the cheesemaker. Free range pork production is becoming more rare in Ireland. It is a challenging occupation that takes patience, skill and sensitivity to the needs of the animals in order to produce a good product."
