Ox crowned Ireland’s best restaurant at awards ceremony
BELFAST restaurant Ox has been named Ireland’s Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine magazine.
The Oxford Street destination was among several Northern Ireland establishments to receive awards at the magazine’s glitzy awards ceremony, held yesterday in Dublin.
Deane’s EIPIC restaurant, also in Belfast, was commended in the Restaurant of the Year category.
Chef Danni Barry of Clenaghan’s of Aghalee in Co Down was ‘highly commended’ in the Chef of the Year section, while Noel McMeel of Fermanagh’s Lough Erne Resort, Steven To man of Ox and Alex Greene of Deane’s EIPIC in Belfast were all named as being among Ireland’s top 10 chefs.
Danni Barry (right) was also named as Ulster’s Best Chef in the regional awards.
Wine & Brine of Moira won the accolade of Best Restaurant in Ulster.
Diners from all over Ireland were invited to nominate their favourite restaurants and chefs, with the top entries sifted by a national culinary panel of judges, made up of industry experts and national food critics.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Food & Wine’s Dee Laffan said: “I feel that this year’s awards truly reflect the changing restaurant scene in Ireland and the diversity of talents, cuisines and new faces to our industry.
“I am delighted to
have joined in time to be here to honour our award winners at the event this year.
“These people deserve recognition, and more, for being true ambassadors of Irish food,” he added.