Wicklow restaurants claim top accolades at regional awards
THE WICKLOW finalists for the Irish Restaurant Awards have been announced at the Leinster regional final of the competition.
All of the Wicklow winners will go forward to compete for the Regional and All Ireland titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards on Monday, May 18.
The Pigeon House in Delgany scooped the title of Best Restaurant. Chef Oisin Kehoe-Clarke of The Pigeon House was named Best Chef.
Double 8 in Bray was picked as Best Newcomer.
The Best Restaurant Manager Wicklow award went to Jay Johance of Pink Salt. Strawberry Tree Restaurant at Brooklodge and Macreddin Village was named Wicklow’s Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant and picked up top honours in the Best Emerging Irish Cuisine category.
The Best Customer Service award was awarded to Chakra by Jaipur. The restaurant was also named Best World Cuisine, sponsored by Stafford Lynch. While Wicklow Heather Restaurant and House was named Best Gastro Pub.
The Fat Fox won the title of Wicklow’s Best Cafe. The Glenmalure Lodge won the title of Pub of the Year.
Ripasso Restaurant and Wine Bar was named Wicklow’s Best Wine Experience. The Happy Pear was named Wicklow’s Best ‘Free From’.
Tiffin by Sunil was named Best Kids Size Meal while Hilda Crampton and Dominic Quinn of Castleruddery Organic Farm were named Best Local Food Hero.
Box Burger won in the category of Best Casual Dining.
Speaking at the awards, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said; ‘Now in their 12th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Ireland, as well as recognising the teams behind these establishments and the hard work and dedication that they put in. With well over 100,000 nominations received from the public this year, the standard for the judging process was higher than ever.
Ireland may be a small country, but it boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastropubs, from the comfort of traditional Irish food to exploring the world though exotic world cuisine, the Irish restaurant industry has much to offer. We have an appreciation for what we eat and where our food comes from, as well as the dedication of those working in the food industry.’
Over 700 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Leinster turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards.