The best and the brightest of Ireland’s culinary scene gathered last night for the Restaurant Association’s annual awards.
The awards, the most awaited night in the restaurant industry’s social calendar and dubbed ‘the food Oscars’ took place in the Clayton Hotel in Dublin and were presented by Sile Seoige and Barry Murphy.
The biggest awards of the night went to of Best Restaurant went to Chapter One in Dublin owned by chef Ross Lewis and Best Chef went to Danni Barry, Ireland’s only female Michelin starred chef.
Ms Barry from Co Down is head chef at Deanes Eipic in Belfast. She previously worked with UK chef Simon Rogan at L’Enclume, as well as running the kitchen at Rogan & Co in Cartmel.
Six chefs, all previous winners of the regional titles, plus a representative of the hotel hosting the event, were each responsible for one course at the awards banquet, served to more than 900 industry figures. The panel of chefs was made up of Gary O’Hanlon (Viewmont House), Finbarr Higgins (The Clayton, formerly of The K Club), Jonathan Keane (The Lodge at Ashford Castle) Kevin Aherne (Sage, Cork), Gareth Mullins (The Marker Hotel) and David Gillmore (James Street South).
AWARD WINNERS
Best Restaurant
All -Ireland – Chapter One, Dublin
Dublin – Chapter One, Dublin
Connaught – Kai Café & Restaurant, Galway
Leinster – Sha-Roe Bistro, Carlow
Munster – Wild Honey Inn, Clare
Ulster– MacNean House & Restaurant, Cavan
Best Chef
All -Ireland – Danni Barry of Deanes Eipic, Antrim
Dublin – Ciaran Sweeney of Forest & Marcy, Dublin
Connaught – Shamzuri Hanifa of The Cottage Restaurant, Leitrim
Leinster – Gary O’Hanlon of VM Restaurant at Viewmount House, Longford
Munster – Keith Boyle of The Bay Tree Bistro, Waterford
Ulster – Danni Barry of Deanes Eipic, Antrim
Best Restaurant Manager
All -Ireland – Alain Kerloc’h of Ox, Antrim
Dublin – John Healy of Suesey Street, Dublin
Pub of the Year
All -Ireland – Morrissey’s, Laois
Dublin – The Long Hall, Dublin
Connaught – John Morans Bar, Mayo
Leinster – Morrissey’s, Laois
Munster – Davy Macs, Waterford
Ulster – The Coach House & Olde Bar, Monaghan
Best Hotel Restaurant
All -Ireland – The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel, Clare
Dublin – The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
Connaught – Wildes at the Lodge, Mayo
Leinster – Ballyfin Demesne, Laois
Munster – The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel, Clare
Ulster – St Kyrans Country House Restaurant, Cavan
Best Newcomer
All -Ireland – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
Dublin – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
Connaught – Cian’s On Bridge Street, Mayo
Leinster – No. Three Old Bar & Restaurant, Louth
Munster – Holy Smoke, Cork
Ulster – Bull & Ram, Down
Best Gastro Pub
All -Ireland – Walled City Brewery, Derry
Dublin – The Exchequer, Dublin
Connaught – Keenans of Tarmonbarry Gastro Bar, Roscommon
Leinster – Mary Barry’s Bar, Wexford
Munster – Morrissey’s Bar and Restaurant, Clare
Ulster – Walled City Brewery, Derry
Best Customer Service
All -Ireland – The Maigue Restaurant at Dunraven Arms Hotel, Limerick
Dublin – Chapter One, Dublin
Connaught – Library Restaurant at Belleek Castle, Mayo
Leinster – Lennons @ Visual, Carlow
Munster – The Maigue Restaurant at Dunraven Arms Hotel, Limerick
Ulster – MacNean House & Restaurant, Cavan
Best Casual Dining
All -Ireland – The Muddlers Club, Antrim
Dublin – Etto, Dublin
Connaught – Bar One, Mayo
Leinster – Wild and Native, Wexford
Munster – Momo Restaurant, Waterford
Ulster – The Muddlers Club, Antrim
Best Wine Experience
All -Ireland – Ox Cave, Antrim
Dublin – Etto, Dublin
Connaught – Sheridans Cheesemongers Wine Bar, Galway
Leinster – Greenacres, Wexford
Munster – L’Atitude51 Wine Café, Cork
Ulster – Ox Cave, Antrim
Best Kids Size Me
All -Ireland – Café Rua, Mayo
Dublin – Farmhill, Dublin
Best World Cuisine
All -Ireland – Wa Café, Galway
Dublin – 777, Dublin
Best Café
All -Ireland – Lost & Found, Derry
Dublin – Meet Me in the Morning, Dublin
Local Food Hero
All -Ireland – Michael Kelly of GROW HQ, Waterford
Dublin – Brid & Colm Carter of Honest2Goodness, Dublin
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine
All -Ireland – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
Dublin – Forest & Marcy, Dublin
Best Digital Marketing
Two Boys Brew, Dublin
Best Cookery School
Riot Rye Bakehouse & Bread School, Tipperary
Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant
Pullman Restaurant at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Galway
Best Seafood Experience
Fish Shop Queen St, Dublin
Best Cocktail Experience
Candlelight Bar at Siam Thai Dundrum, Dublin
