Well, here I am, giving forth as usual on the subject of freefrom. But what is that that I have in my hand? A magnificent Waterford crystal vase…..
I went to Ireland last week for the presentation of the first Irish FreeFrom Food Awards – an extremely splendid event in the Round Room at the Mansion House in the centre of Dublin.
Those of you who have managed to follow us through the maze of awards that have happened over the last few months may remember that I was in Dublin in late February for a couple of days judging and reported that they had a bumper entry, especially for a first year. Well, indeed they did and, very impressively, they had divided them into over 40 categories. Well, all judging done, now it was time for the presentations.
I am not going to list all the winners but I can tell you that the Product of the Year was Rule of Crumb’s Salted Caramel and Chocolate Profiteroles. We were delighted as Rule of Crumb are regular entrants into our UK awards; indeed they were a winner at last year’s FreeFrom EatingOut Awards – along with Daura Damm who won the Irish GF Beer category. And here is Claire Hunter of Rule of Crumb (in pink) with Maria McHale, editor of Slainte Magazine (in blue) and Emma Clark Conway and John Burke who between them had co-ordinated, directed and presented the awards.
For a full list of winners check in to Gluten Free Cailin’s blog.
OK – but why was I waving around a magnificent Waterford vase while haranguing the audience about freefrom? Well, hugely to my surprise, half way through the presentations, I found myself being called to the stage not to present an award (which is what I had been expecting to do) but to receive one!!! That beautiful vase – for Services to the FreeFrom Industry!!!! Thank you, John and the Irish FreeFrom Food Awards – a totally unexpected but delightful surprise.
Mind you, at 6am the following morning my delight was somewhat tempered by the prospect of lugging it (it is huge and heavy came in an even huge-er and heavier box with a lid that did not stay on….) along miles of Dublin airport walkways before negotiating with the Ryanair dragons to get it onto the plane…..
Fortunately I had with me a very long belt which I could tie round it to keep the lid on and then had the genius idea of hooking it over the handle of my case! Amazingly (it must have been the early hour) the dragons at the check in did not turn a hair as I sidled my way through!! I had seriously thought it would be an extra £40 to check my bag in while I cradled my box (which did look horribly like a miniature coffin) in my lap!!
Anyhow, all now safely home and proudly on display!!
Meanwhile, many congratulations to John, Emma and their lovely helpers for an excellent inaugural awards. All details will soon be available on the Irish Awards website. And here’s to many more…..