Foods of Athenry, the  farm based,  family run baking company of Paul and Siobhan Lawless, is making big news with celebrities in recent months. The Minister for Silly Walks himself, Monty Python star John Cleese,  has become a fan of the produce of this award winning County Galway based company. Turns out as well as his sharp sense of what will make people laugh, Mr Cleese also has a fine taste for the best foods.  In a tweet to his followers last Monday, Cleese announced   “Gluten-free folk : Best crispbreads I have tasted are Gourmet Sodabread Toast by Irish company called The Foods of Athenry of County Galway”

This follows an Instagram post by singer Ellie Goulding last December, also featuring Foods of Athenry. It seems the stars are all out for a taste of some of the best farmhouse baking in Ireland!  Endorsements like these give a huge boost to small rural companies and put them in the spotlight on a completely different level to usual marketing strategy. Valuable in increasing global exposure and keeping Ireland at the forefront of food production. 

Those who have followed the progress of this company from it’s small beginnings at Siobhan’s kitchen table, to a specialist purpose built bakery unit on the farm,  which has space for tradtional and dedicated gluten free production, will know that Foods of Athenry baked products have always concentrated on the healthy elements of baking, while maintaining superb taste and texture. The original low sugar, low dairy, low yeast/yeast free baking range is now complimented with an excellent gluten free selection from the bakery’s certified gluten free kitchen, bringing fresh home baked goodies to every dietary requirment. The stars have clearly noticed how good these products are!  Another huge pat on the back for Siobhan and Paul, who have worked continuously to maintain quality and consistency while developing their range,  and to keep their business grounded in it’s original farm based family run situation. Well done to them both!