Carlingford Oyster Company has been announced winner of the Seafood Innovation Award at the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards held in Dingle on Friday (3 October). The award is sponsored by BIM.
Paul Ward, Head of Business Intelligence at BIM commented on the heritage of Carlingford Oyster Company and its commitment to quality:
“For more than fifty years, Carlingford Oyster Company has combined family heritage with pioneering technology to produce premium oysters that speak to the unique environment or ‘terroir’ of Carlingford Lough. The business has grown into a multi-generational enterprise known for quality, authenticity, and innovation since being founded by Peter Louët Feisser in the 1970s.”
Judges of the independently assessed award noted the company’s focus on innovation including its introduction of rotation bag technology – an innovation that enhances water flow and shell development, improving growth, efficiency, and sustainability ensuring consistently high-quality oysters.
Chef Stephane Delourme, received the award on behalf of Carlingford Oyster Company. Stephane has been working with the Louth-based company recently on a campaign to build greater awareness of oysters among chefs. He previously worked as head chef at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant in the UK for more than 25 years. He said:
“Every discerning chef seeks out quality in seafood, and tonight’s award gives chefs and indeed all seafood fans another important reason, and another signpost to associate Carlingford oyster with quality and good taste.”
Kian Louët-Feisser, Managing Director, Carlingford Oyster Company spoke of the importance of the award and of the team effort that underpins everything at the seafood business:
“This award means so much to the entire team at Carlingford Oyster Company. It recognises our commitment to sustainably farmed seafood and our values of tradition, sustainability, and innovation. I hope it also serves to reinforce Ireland’s reputation for world-class oysters across the world.”
Carlingford Oysters also won a further three Blas na hÉireann awards this year in the General Seafood category (prepared shellfish -served raw) – bronze, silver and joint Gold with Connemara Oysters.