Gourmet food is often considered a special treat, not only because it tends to be more costly, but because it is made to extremely fine standards using the best ingredients.

Gourmet food is definitely for those who crave more distinguished tastes, and The Blue Haven Food Company produces gourmet food that is undeniably sophisticated and sinfully delicious. From seafood chowder through to mixed berry jam you’ll find a delightful delicacy around every corner of this quality-led Co. Cork-based company … at prices that will pleasantly surprise you too.

The Blue Haven Hotel has been an integral part of the local Kinsale food scene for over 30 years and, owing to extensive customer demand, its reputation now extends to the retail market as well, with The Blue Haven Food Company first opening its doors for business just two years ago.

Within this short period of time, though, it has picked up more accolades and awards than many companies do in 20 years. It has, for instance, been awarded two Gold Stars in the 2010 Great Taste Awards for its Blue Haven Seafood Chowder. The Great Taste Awards (seen by many as the Michelin Stars of the food retail sector) is the national benchmark for speciality food and drink in the UK and attracts over 4,500 entries each year.

All entries go through meticulous tests by a specially selected panel of experts, including leading chefs, buyers and food critics. To be given the much coveted Two Gold Star Award a minimum of 20 judges must unanimously concur that the product is a worthy winner. This is naturally a major accomplishment for The Blue Haven Food Company, which would have been in opposition to a number of the tops names in the industry in Ireland and the UK.

This success has meant that the company is now in the process of expanding its production facilities in Kinsale town centre, which will enhance the local area’s food tradition and provide 20 new jobs.

The Blue Haven Food Company includes many major retailers amongst its clients, including Dunne’s Stores, nationwide Supervalu’s, Centras, Spar, Londis, Fallon and Byrne, Mortons, Gourmet Bank, Donnybrook Fair, Fresh, Pallas Foods, as well as Kylemore Cafés in the Smurfit School of Business and St James Hospital in Dublin.

The product range, which is put together by an in-house team of six chefs (including one executive chef), has increased to include a food services offering for the hospitality industry, with products such as ‘Kinsale Fish Pie’ and ‘Smoked Salmon Pate’ making the Blue Haven Food Company a major niche player in the food industry in a short period of time.

The company’s full portfolio includes the aforementioned Blue Haven Seafood Chowder and Mixed Berry Jam, plus Chicken Liver Pate, Orange Marmalade, Wholegrain Mustard and Honey Dressing, Caramel Square, Flap Jack, Cookie Selection, Gourmet Sandwich Range and Gourmet Meal Range.

Making fabulous fresh food with flair, passion and excellence, The Blue Haven Food Company is even to take a stab at the festive book charts, with ‘Christmas Cooking with Amanda Brunker and The Blue Haven Food Company’ now in all good stores throughout Ireland!

The Blue Haven Food Company will be actively looking at the export market in 2011 too, and would be pleased to hear from potential distributors and retail partners based in the UK. So if you’d be interested in an exciting new opportunity with one of Ireland’s most sought after and respected gourmet food brands, simply call 00353 2 1477 2209.

And for further information and background on the company, visit www.bluehavenfoodco.com.