Aishling Moore, leading chef at Goldie, a seafood restaurant in Cork, was bestowed the Best Chef award at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024, held on Monday evening in Cork city and county, which were the central focus. Concurrently, Dede at the Customs House based in Baltimore was unveiled as Restaurant of the Year. Moore recently curated her debut cooking book, Whole Catch, which prioritises sustainability, with every part of the fish from its fin to its gill being put to use.
The accolade-laden Dede at the Customs House, a joint venture by head cook Ahmet Dede and Maria Archer, received two stars in the Michelin Guide in 2023. The award function was held at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road in Dublin 4 on Monday evening which drew nearly 1,200 individuals, including chefs, restaurateurs, and other industry specialists in attendance. The first round of award judging drew over 160,000 public nominations in its 15th iteration, with regional accolades being assigned before a panel of industry experts assembled to choose national and special honorees.
The Local Food Hero award was fondly bestowed upon Lorraine O’Connor, who represents the charity Muslim Sisters of Eire, known for its multitude of assistance to the homeless, including soup runs and delivering meals to those in need at Dublin’s GPO. Additional winners that stood out that evening included The Bishop’s Buttery in Cashel Palace Hotel based in Cashel, Co Tipperary, and The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant, and Bia Box stationed in Carrickart in Co Donegal. As for the Best Newcomer, the award went to La Gordita in Dublin.
Despite these challenging times for the industry, the Chair of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Paul Lenehan, emphasised that recognising and honouring Ireland’s dedicated cafe, restaurant, and food-led hospitality staff through these awards is more relevant than ever.
In the Irish Restaurant Awards 2024, sponsored by San Miguel, the Best Restaurant accolade went to Dede at the Custom House in Baltimore for Munster, Clashganny House Restaurant for Leinster, Macnean House & Restaurant for Ulster, Eala Bhán for Connaught, and Chapter One Restaurant for Dublin.
The “All Ireland: Dede” was held at the Custom House in Baltimore. Among the winners of the “Best Chef” award, supported by BWG Food Service, are John Kelly from Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate in Leinster, Ciaran Sweeney from The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box in Ulster, Aishling Moore from Goldie in Munster, Danny Africano from Lignum in Connaught, and Eric Matthews from Kicky’s in Dublin. The overall All Ireland award went to Aishling Moore of Goldie.
The “Outstanding Achievement Award” sponsored by istil.38 was given to TJ O’Connor. The award for the “Best Restaurant Manager”, supported by Elavon, was conferred on Kasia Urban from Bramley Abbeyleix in Leinster, Anne Cannon from La Bella Donna Restaurant in Ulster, Dermot Fetton from Earl of Thomond Restaurant at Dromoland Castle Hotel in Munster, Gabriel Camburu from Buffalo Boy in Connaught, and Prateek Vikram from China Sichuan Restaurant in Dublin. Prateek Vikram of China Sichuan Restaurant took the All Ireland honour.
The “Employee Excellence Award” backed by Peninsula was awarded to Sophie Hogan from Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe in Leinster, Liam McKenna from Armagh City Hotel in Ulster, Shane Gater from Mezze in Munster, Catalina Gabriela Caltun from 56 Central Restaurant Cafe in Connaught, and Lisa Freeley from Roly’s Bistro and Cafe in Dublin. The All Ireland award was given to Sophie Hogan of Hogan’s Farm Shop & Cafe.
The “Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant” title, brought to you by Frylite, was bestowed upon The Morrison Room at Carton House in Leinster, Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort in Ulster, The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel in Munster, George V at Ashford Castle in Connaught, and The Saddle Room at the Shelbourne in Dublin. The All Ireland trophy went to The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace Hotel.
Lastly, the “Pub of the Year” award, endorsed by Mad March Hare Poitín, was earned by Begleys Bar in Leinster, The Garrick in Ulster, Levis Corner House in Munster, Freeney’s Bar in Connaught, and Anseo in Dublin. The All Ireland title was secured by Begleys Bar.
The “Best Casual Dining” award, introduced by Musgrave Marketplace, was given to Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro in Leinster and The Square Bistro in Ulster.
Below are the prominent establishments, categorised by distinctions, across various regions in Ireland. The “Best Gastropub” award, in partnership with Molson Coors, went to Leinster’s The Strand Cahore, The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box in Ulster, Vaughans Anchor Inn in Munster, The Huntsman Inn in Connaught, Gleesons of Booterstown in Dublin, and The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box for the nationwide prize.
As for the “Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine”, assisted by FBD Insurance, it was accorded to Statham’s by Pembroke in Leinster, 28 at the Hollow in Ulster, Lagom Restaurant Kenmare in Munster, Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connaught, Potager in Dublin and again, Lagom Restaurant Kenmare claimed the All Ireland title.
For the “Best Newcomer” category, endorsed by Square, Tābú from Leinster, Salumeria Mariuccia from Ulster, Homestead Cottage from Munster, Otto Pizza from Connaught, and La Gordita from Dublin emerged on top. La Gordita also took the national award.
In the category of “Best Wine Experience”, presented by Bibendum, Ristorante Rinuccini from Leinster, Ora Wine and Tapas from Ulster, The Dining Room at Park Hotel Kenmare from Munster, Daróg Wine Bar from Connaught, and Ely Wine Bar from Dublin were victorious. In the All Ireland category, Daróg Wine Bar triumphed.
For the “Best Customer Service” award, provided by Restaurant-Insurance.ie and Dolmen, Gralinn in Leinster, Noble in Ulster, Aileen’s at Armada Hotel in Munster, Rusheenduff Restaurant at Renvyle House Hotel & Resort in Connaught, and Kicky’s in Dublin were distinguished, with the All Ireland award going to Rusheenduff Restaurant at Renvyle House Hotel & Resort.
The “Best Café” plaudit, organized by Illy, was given to Bowe’s Foodhall & Cafe in Leinster, Ursa Minor in Ulster, La Alegria Café in Munster, Rogue & Co Cafe in Connaught, Happy Out x Together Academy in Dublin, with the nationwide winner being Happy Out x Together Academy.
Finally, the winners in the “Best World Cuisine” category, under the patronage of San Pellegrino, were Sanjay’s Kitchen in Leinster, Chandpur Restaurant in Ulster, and Ichigo Ichie in Munster.
Highlighted awards and recipients in different categories across the regions of Ireland are as follows:
For Afro-Caribbean restaurants, Funké in Connaught and 3 Leaves Blackrock in Dublin took top honours. The all-Ireland award went to Ichigo Ichie. On the sustainability front, Familia Torres sponsored awards were given to Leinster: Mueller and O’Connell Bakery, Ulster: No 14 at the Georgian House, Munster: Killarney Park & Ross Hotel, Connaught: Kai Restaurant, and Dublin: Bread 41, with Kai restaurant winning in All Ireland.
Contributions by Innovators were celebrated in different regions, Diageo presented the awards to Nóinín in Leinster, The Blue Goat in Ulster, Rare 1784 in Munster, Builín Blasta Café & Bakery in Connaught and in Dublin, it was Amuri. Rare 1784 was the All Ireland winner.
The award for ‘Local Food Hero’, sponsored by Flogas, was given to Pauline Dunne from Killowen Farm for Leinster. In Ulster, it was Johnny McDowell from Indie Fude, Siobhán Ní Gháirbhith from St Tola Goat Cheese Farm in Munster, Patrick J Rigney from The Shed Distillery in Connaught and Lorraine O’Connor from Muslim Sisters of Eire in Dublin. Lorraine O’Connor was also an all-Ireland winner.
Adrian McFadden of The Garden Room at the Merrion Hotel was recognised for delivering the ‘Best Cocktail Experience’ by Monin. The ‘Food Truck of the Year’ award from Munch’d by Zoma went to Misunderstood Heron.
Fota Island Resort was honoured for ‘Best Learning and Development’ by Restaurant & Hospitality Skillnet. The ‘Best Cookery School’, as sponsored by Avonmore, went to The Edward Hayden School of Cookery and ‘Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant’, presented by Cashel Blue Cheese, was awarded to Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.