Seven local producers are among the 19 finalists of the Blas na hÉireann Awards.
The Blas na hÉireann Irish Food awards are a prestigious, annual acknowledgement of the quality of Irish food and drink products.
Of the seven regional producers in the final, five are from Co. Westmeath, and two are from Co. Longford.
The manufacturers in the list range from chocolate artisans, bakers, to butchers and farmers.
The finalists will attend the Blas na hÉireann awards three-day event in Dingle from Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th September, where the lucky winners will be announced.
From Co. Westmeath is Bon Chocolatiers, handmade chocolatiers from Athlone, Greene's Family Farm, free range eggs, quiches, and frittata producer from Rathowen, Mr. Crumb, a Mullingar stuffing and breadcrumbs manufacturer, Sugar Plum Sweetery, a unique chocolates and sweets seller from Mullingar, and Killua Castle, a venison and lamb producer from Clonmellon.
Meanwhile, Longford's Herterich Artisan Butchers and bread manufacturer Panelto Foods, have also made it to the finalists' shortlist.
