Two local eateries feature in this year’s Irish restaurant awards with Thyme in Custume Place winning the great value dining award, and The Fatted Calf in Glasson getting the nod as best gastropub in Leinster.
The best restaurant in Ireland at the award ceremony in the Burlington Hotel last week, for the fourth year in a row, was Chapter One on Parnell Square in Dublin.
In what is a valuable tribute for the forthcoming busy season, the value dining award for Thyme was sponsored by Tourism Ireland.
“The objectives of the awards are to recognise the hard work and effort that takes place within our industry each year and to reward the establishments who excel in their category. The awards also aim to generate positive publicity on a local and national level for all involved,” said a spokesperson for the association.
The awards recognise achievement and excellence in the restaurant and hospitality industry throughout the island of Ireland in 23 categories.
They celebrate all aspects of the industry from chefs and restaurants to food producers, local food heroes, and cookery schools.
The awards process ran from February until May, and is a detailed and thorough process where nominated restaurants face rigorous scrutiny from the consumer, regional judges, a mystery guest visitor and finally the National Awards Academy.
“Since their inception, the Irish Restaurant Awards have cast a spotlight on Ireland’s hottest restaurants and chefs. They have become a byword for quality, class and achievement… The awards everyone wants to win,” said Brian Fallon, president, Restaurants Association of Ireland.
