The Munster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place at The Malton Hotel, Kerry this week, awarding the top restaurants in six counties for 2016. Over 500 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Munster turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.
Speaking at the awards, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said, “The Irish Restaurant Awards celebrate their eighth year this year and have become the Island’s biggest food awards. The credibility that these awards have is reflected in the amount of nominations they received this year – over 70,000 individual nominations were cast across fourteen categories, showing that these are the awards that everyone wants to win.
“The Irish restaurant scene is internationally recognised for its high calibre of restaurateurs and chefs. These awards celebrate the people that make the restaurant sector the dynamic and exciting industry it is. They are the people who provide 72,000 jobs to our economy and generate revenue in excess of €2 billion. We’re recognising the talent, hard work and commitment that everyone here gives to the food industry. Tonight, everyone is a winner.”
TheTaste are proud sponsors of the Best Customer Service award for the second year running. tThe other categories were; Best Gastro Pub, Best Casual Dining, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Restaurant, Best Wine Experience, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Kids Size Me, Local Food Hero, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine and Best Newcomer as well as two new main award categories – Best Café and Best World Cuisine.
All County winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Title which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards in the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Dublin on Monday 16th May, 2016.
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by Dalcassian Wines & Spirits and Astoria Wines
– Clare: Wild Honey Inn
– Cork: Sage
– Kerry: Idás Restaurant
– Limerick: 1826 Adare
– Tipperary: Chez Hans
– Waterford: The Tannery
Best Chef – Sponsored by La Rousse Foods
– Clare: David Hurley of The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel
– Cork: Kevin Aherne of Sage
– Kerry: Philip Brazil of The Falls Restaurant at Sheen Falls Lodge
– Limerick: Wade Murphy of 1826 Adare
– Tipperary: Dermot Gannon of The Old Convent
– Waterford: Eric Theze of La Bohème Restaurant & Winebar
Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Bunzl McLaughlin
– Clare: The Roadside Tavern
– Cork: Deasy’s Harbour Bar & Seafood Restaurant
– Kerry: Nick’s Seafood Restaurant & Piano Bar
– Limerick: The Curragower Bar
– Tipperary: Larkin’s Bar & Restaurant
– Waterford: Merry’s Gastro Pub
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by San Pellegrino
– Clare: L’Arco Italian Restaurant
– Cork: Elbow Lane Brew & Smokehouse
– Kerry: QC’s Seafood Restaurant
– Limerick: La Cucina
– Tipperary: Lava Rock Restaurant
– Waterford: Burzza
Best Hotel Restaurant – Sponsored by Elavon
– Clare: The Dining Room at Gregans Castle Hotel
– Cork: Ballymaloe House
– Kerry: Panorama Restaurant at The Europe Hotel & Resort
– Limerick: The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
– Tipperary: The Old Convent
– Waterford: The House Restaurant at The Cliff House Hotel
Best Customer Service – Sponsored by TheTaste.ie
– Clare: Moy House
– Cork: The Kingsley
– Kerry: The Oyster Tavern
– Limerick: Freddy’s Bistro
– Tipperary: Inch House Country House & Restaurant
– Waterford: Zaks Restaurant at Athenaeum House Hotel
Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Classic Drinks & Masottina
– Clare: Earl of Thomond at Dromoland Castle Hotel
– Cork: L’Atitude51 Wine Café
– Kerry: Sol y Sombra
– Limerick: Sash Restaurant at No. 1 Pery Square
– Tipperary: Chez Hans
– Waterford: La Bohème Restaurant & Winebar
Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by Keelings Farm Fresh
– Cork: Iyer’s
– Kerry: Sethu Curry House
– Limerick: Taikichi
– Tipperary: Lemongrass
– Waterford: Kyoto Asian Street Food
Best Cafe – Sponsored by Aryzta Food Solutions
– Clare: Rowan Tree Café Bar
– Cork: Kalbo’s Café
– Kerry: Poffs
– Limerick: The Sage Café
– Tipperary: Stef Hans
– Waterford: Granary Café
Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants
– Kerry: Alberto Mendoza of Sol y Sombra
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine – Sponsored by Odaios Foods
– Cork: Mews Restaurant
Local Food Hero – Sponsored by Rewarding Times
– Kerry: Mark Murphy of Dingle Cookery School
Best Kids Size Me – Sponsored by Heinz
– Waterford: Momo Restaurant
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Elavon
– Clare: Brogan’s Restaurant
– Cork: Ali’s Kitchen
– Kerry: The Mews Kenmare
– Limerick: Coqbul
– Tipperary: Stef Hans
– Waterford: The Bay Tree Bistro