Donegal restaurants, chefs and owners enjoyed success at the Ulster regional final of the Irish Restaurant Awards this week.
Over 500 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards event in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan on Tuesday.
Top awards included Best Restaurant in Donegal, which went to The Lemon Tree in Letterkenny, and Best Chef in Donegal, which was awarded to Ciaran Sweeney at The Olde Glen Bar.
Chef Ciaran Sweeney from Downings
The Donegal winners on the night were:
Local Food Hero: Jo Daly – Quay West Restaurant Donegal
Best Sustainable Practices: Sonder Letterkenny
Free From: Chandpur Restaurant Donegal Town
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine: Fisk Seafood Bar Downings
Best Restaurant Manager: Mairead Anderson – Andersons Boathouse Restaurant Killybegs
Best Wine Experience: Harvey’s Point, Donegal
Best Café: Ahoy Cafe Killybegs
Best World Cuisine: Chandpur Restaurant Donegal Town
Best Newcomer: Snugborough, Letterkenny
Pub of the Year: Harbour Bar
Best Casual Dining: Andersons Boathouse Restaurant Killybegs
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Harvey’s Point
Best Customer Service: Rathmullan House Hotel, Rathmullan
Best Gastro Pub: The Rusty Mackerel, Teelin
Best Chef: Ciaran Sweeney – The Olde Glen Bar
Best Restaurant: The Lemon Tree Restaurant Letterkenny
All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday 19th September 2022 in the Convention Centre Dublin(CCD).
Speaking at the Ulster Regional Awards CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, said; “Now in their 13th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards returns after the 2020 Awards were cut short. The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing and up and coming talent in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without the dedicated and passionate staff in the industry. The Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Ireland. We are delighted to be here in Cavan for the second of the Regional Events and look forward to welcoming all winners in Ulster to the All Ireland Awards on 19th September.”
