The Spring 2024 PodBLASt series features interviews with 4 Blas judges.

In this interview Fallon Moore talks to Úna Martin about her judging experience.

Úna's entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 when she founded Úna’s Pies at the Farmers' markets in Cork. Her dedication to quality and innovation quickly earned her recognition, with numerous accolades including the prestigious Blas na hÉireann / Irish Food Awards Artisan Producer and Supreme Champion titles. Despite its success, Únas Pies faced challenges due to rising ingredient costs and she ceased trading in 2014. Undeterred, Úna transitioned to a new role, joining the product development team at Clóna Dairy Products in Clonakilty.
 
In 2021, Úna embarked on a new career path, as an International Recruitment Officer for the College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science, University College Cork (UCC)  Her diverse background as an artisan producer, a contributor to major retail production, and now a judge on the Irish Food Awards panel gives her a unique perspective to the judging process.
  
Other episodes in the Spring 2024 PodBLASt series:
Episode 1 Patrick Hanlon
Episode 2 Shane Smith
Episode 4 Ali Dunworth

#Blas2024 is open for entries until Thursday 16 May 2024!  Visit www.irishfoodawards.com for more details.

PodBLAST Spring 2024 - Una Martin

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard supported by Bank of Ireland.

Strength in Numbers 💪 
Collaboration was the key theme in this session hosted by Dee Laffan

We heard how Rivesci, our #Blas2024 Supreme Champion, joined forces with O’Donnell Crisps to create a delicious new product.
(And there was one for everyone in the audience!)

From chef–butcher partnerships to festival collabs, panellists Eunice Power and Tom Flavin shared powerful stories that prove working together makes producers stronger (and it also more fun!!!)

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view on the Blas na hÉireann YouTube Channel.

October 2025 - Strength in Numbers

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard supported by Bank of Ireland.

Sweet Success - What happens when a product goes viral? 

Erica Drum hosted a lively chat with Denise Buckley from Sugar Plum Sweetery about the whirlwind rise of her Dubai Chocolate Bar and Vivienne Gleeson joined the discussion to explore the highs, the hustle, and how to turn a sudden spotlight into lasting success.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - Sweet Success

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard supported by Bank of Ireland.

Shaping the Rules

As consumer expectations shift and new regulations roll in, how much should producers share?
Malachy O’Connor, Food First Consulting, hosted a timely discussion that explored how regulation can become a powerful opportunity. Kate Dempsey, Kinsale Meade shared their journey so far, with insights from Best Of Irish’s Maria Svejdar.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - Shaping the Rules

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard, supported by Bank of Ireland.

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? 

Trading with the US isn’t always smooth sailing—but it can be worth the trip.

Shemaine Doyle, Brave, chaired a discussion that tackled tariffs and the real-world challenges Irish producers face in international markets, thanks to insights from guests:
Mary Sadlier, Coole Swan
Anna & Orla Snook O’Carroll, Valentia Island Vermouth
Lucy Ryan, Bank of Ireland
Adam Bakery, Bord Bia 

This session is a must-hear for any brand thinking global.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - Should I Stay or Should I Go now?

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard, supported by Bank of Ireland.

Tapping into TikTok

TikTok took centre stage in this Conversation in this #Blas2025 Backyard hosted by Sharon Noonan, who presents Best Possible Taste, Ireland's longest-running food and drink podcast.

Sam O’Byrne from TikTok, Jordan O’Flynn, O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages (70K followers on TikTok!), and e-commerce strategist Vinny O’Brien shared expert insights on building brand awareness, creating viral content, and making real sales through the TikTok Shop.

From trends to tools, the panel broke down what works, what doesn’t, and how Irish producers can turn views into value.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - Tapping into TikTok

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard, supported by Bank of Ireland.

Branding: The Impact of Visuals - It’s more than a logo—it’s the story you tell at first glance.

In this session hosted by The Art of Grate Food’s Annie Dunne, the panel explored how strong visuals build trust, catch the eye on shelves, and drive lasting success.

With insights from Ann Rudden (Aines Chocolate), photographer and stylist Loraine Cox and branding expert Anita Kerr, Neworld, it was a masterclass in making your brand speak before you say a word.

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - Branding: The Visual Impact of Visuals

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard supported by Bank of Ireland.

Eating on the Go 🚗✈️
From airlines to forecourts, food on the move is booming—and producers are taking notice.
In this Conversations in the Backyard session, hosted by Malachy O’Connor, Food First Consulting, buyers from dnata (Michael Loughran), Selfridges (Adrian Boswell), and Freshways Food Co (Ian Mullins) shared insights into changing consumer habits and what it takes to succeed in the fast-paced grab-and-go space.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.


October 2025 - Eating on the Go

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard, supported by Bank of Ireland.

Buyers’ Masterclass: Insider Tips 🛒✨ 

What makes a product stand out to buyers?

In this discussion Malachy O’Connor, Food First Consulting talked to buyers from Holland and Barrett, Fortnum and Masons and Tesco.

The buyers shared candid insights on what grabs their attention—and what doesn’t.  From packaging to provenance, this is a goldmine of advice for producers ready to level up.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view o𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - Buyers’ Masterclass: Insider Tips

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard, supported by Bank of Ireland.

The Press Panel 🗞️🎙️ 

What do editors and journalists really want? 

Communications Expert Vivienne Gleeson talked to media from Shelf Life Magazine (Mark Morgan), The Irish Times (Jen Stevens), the Irish Farmers Journal (Janine Kennedy), as well as freelancer Ali Dunworth to get insider tips on reaching the right audience and making your message stick.

A𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 are available to view on 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.

October 2025 - The Press Panel

This panel discussion was recorded in October 2025 as part of the #Blas2025 Conversations in the Backyard, supported by Bank of Ireland.

Messy, Mindful & Making it Work

 Work-life balance isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the secret ingredient to thriving businesses. 
The final Conversation in the Backyard was a relaxed, conversational session exploring how balance, wellness, and genuine care for yourself and your team can spark creativity, boost efficiency, and make the workplace a happier place for everyone. 

Work-life balance isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the secret ingredient to thriving businesses. 

Hosted by Blas Boss Fallon Moore with guests Emma Tarbett (Hatch Coffee) and Aoife McElwaine.

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 available to watch on our 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘛𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭.
