Lawri’s passion for chocolates leads to success from Randalstown to Dingle

Randalstown’s Ten Watch Chocolates, owned by chocolatier Lawri Dowie, was among the ‘stars’ at the all-Ireland food challenge in Dingle.

Craftsman Lawri, a sole trader, won gold for its handcrafted chocolates and was also awarded Ireland’s Best Artisan Product, Best in County Antrim and Best in Ulster at Blas na hEireann, part of the Dingle Food Festival.

Blas, the Irish National Food Awards, is the island’s most significant event for the industry and among the most important in Europe.

There were Blas awards - gold, silver and bronze medals - to around 40 local companies for a range of food and drink: Antrim had 14 winners of medals and Down 12. Fermanagh had one winner, Londonderry five and Tyrone four. Other local gold medal winners included Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, Limavady; Burren Balsamics, Richill; Causeway Coffee Coleraine; Corndale Farm, Charcuterie; Carol’s Stockmarket, Londonderry; Hannan Meats, Moira; Ispini Charcuterie, Aughnacloy; Long Meadow Cider, Loughgall; TS Foods, Castlewellan and Tempted Cider in Lisburn.

The showcase of thousands of original products from across the island gave companies opportunities to engage with buyers from major supermarkets and smaller delis. Visitors to the three-day event also included leading food and drink writers.

Winners and finalists showcased their produce in a new tented market — each tent highlighting a province in Ireland. Suitably named Eat Ireland in a Day, visitors were able to taste the quality of food and drinks at the finals.

Chef and specialist bread baker Lawri Dowie (33), said: “I was stunned to achieve such recognition from the panel of expert food judges. The awards are an endorsement from the judges of the quality and taste of my handcrafted chocolates which I have been selling in NI at farmers’ markets such as the Inns in South Belfast. They will encourage me to push ahead with marketing the chocolates and in developing more original flavours.

“Best Artisan Product is the most prestigious award yet. And I am thrilled. Chocolate making really is a labour of love for me but there’s huge pleasure to be had from coming up with new flavours. People do seem to love it, and that’s a great vote of confidence in Ten Watch Chocolates.”

Lawri launched Ten Watch in 2019 as “a bit of a hobby because of my passion for of gourmet chocolates”.

“It’s taken on a life of its own and has led to other influential awards in Britain, like from the Academy of Chocolate in London. It’s all exciting,” he continues.

He gained four bronze awards for his flavoured bonbons in the Academy of Chocolate competition, the world’s most influential for fine chocolate makers.

Lawri’s choice of the Ten Watch brand came from another passion - his love of Casablanca, the classic Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall movie, which featured the watch reference.

Artie Clifford, chairperson and founder of Blas, said, “After a three-year hiatus from an in-person event, having a three-day event with the addition of the Blas Village and Eat Ireland in a Day was well worth the wait.”

Now in their 15th year, Blas saw an increase in entries with almost 3,000 products and many new producers entered in over 150 categories.