Good Food Ireland Awards
Sadly URRU missed out at last night’s Good Food Ireland Awards – we were nominated in the Top Regional Member category for the south of the country, along with The Blue Geranium Café at Hosfords Garden Centre, Café Paradiso, The Farmgate, Hayfield Manor Hotel, QC’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant, The Poacher’s Inn, The Tannery and the eventual winner – The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore.
Still, there was more than enough good food, wine and company to keep us entertained in the Shelbourne Hotel and I got to catch up some old friends, including Anthony from Ummera Smokehouse – his award-winning organic gravadlax was on the menu, alongside Geraldine Bass’ (Old Millbank Smokehouse) rich smoked salmon pâté – and Louise from Sowan’s Organics, with her new spelt brownies. More information on the nominees and winners, highlighted in bold, below.
Good Food Ireland Best Local Breakfast AwardThis award clearly maximises the use of local produce, home baking and sourcing and embraces signature and regional dishes. It also takes into account how the breakfast is presented and served.Aldrige Lodge, Co WexfordBallyvolane House, Co CorkCoolanowle Country House and Organic Farm, Co CarlowRigney’s Farmhouse B&B, Co LimerickThe Merrion Hotel, DublinGood Food Ireland Best Next Generation AwardThere are a number of next generation operators within the industry, striving to follow or exceed in the footsteps of parents or young chefs/people growing and developing in the industry. This award honours and promotes their efforts in maintaining and raising standards and in highlighting innovation.Graham Roberts – Connemara Smokehouse, Co GalwaySimon O’Hara – Coopershill House, Co SligoFingal Ferguson -Gubbeen Farmhouse Products, Co CorkTim McCarthy – Jack McCarthy Meats, Co CorkKenneth Kelly – Kelly’s of Newport, Co MayoJoe O’Flynn – Rathsallagh House, Co WicklowGood Food Ireland Wine Person of the Year AwardNot necessarily a sommelier, this award goes to somebody who is passionate about their subject, able to interact with customers and explain and work with their wine list in detail.Colm McCann – Ballymaloe House, Co CorkSean Gargano – Eden Restaurant, DublinPaul Carroll – Ghan House, Co LouthPierre Toussaint – Hayfield Manor, CorkFlorian Lemercier – The Clarence Hotel, DublinDamian Corr – The Merrion Hotel, DublinGood Food Ireland Environmental Energy Efficiency AwardThis award honours the member that has done something significant to improve their energy efficiency and identify the kind of savings being made either in terms of cost or energy use.Gleeson’s Artisan Food & Wine Shop, RoscommonKelly’s Resort Hotel, Co WexfordPark Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry Silver Hill Foods, Co MonaghanUmmera Smoked Products, Co CorkGood Food Ireland Most Innovative Use of IT AwardThis award will be judged on how member’s best use IT to promote their business. The judges will look for innovate use of IT rather than simply using the electronic medium for delivery. Promoting the philosophy of prioritising farmers, fishermen and local and artisan food producers will be taken into account.Ballymaloe Cookery School, Co CorkJames Whelan Butchers, Co TipperaryTemple Country Retreat and Spa, Co WestmeathThe Apple Farm, Co TipperaryGood Food Ireland Best use of Sustainable Local Fish AwardThis award highlights those who use/catch and promote sustainable fishing and locally caught fish from Irish coastal waters. It is to single out a member who is instrumental in ensuring sustainability and best practice standards, which will ultimately have an influence on the Irish food/fishing industry and its culture.Caviston’s Restaurant & Food Emporium, Co DublinFishy Fishy Café, Co CorkMartyn’s Lobsters, Co WaterfordRathmullan House, Co DonegalThe Winding Stair, DublinGood Food Ireland Top Regional Member AwardsTop Regional Member NorthBelle Isle School of Cookery, Co FermanaghDitty’s Home Bakery & Coffee Shop, Co DerryGardiners Restaurant, Co DerryLough Erne Golf Resort, Co FermanaghNewforge House, Co ArmaghTop Regional Member SouthCafé Paradiso, CorkFarmgate, CorkHayfield Manor Hotel, CorkQC’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant, Co KerryThe Blue Geranium Café at Hosfords Garden Centre, Co CorkThe Cliff House Hotel, Co WaterfordThe Poacher’s Inn, Co CorkThe Tannery, Co WaterfordUrru Culinary Store, Co CorkTop Regional Member EastAldridge Lodge, Co WexfordCafé Odhran, Co LaoisFallons Bar & Café, Co KildareRathsallagh House, Co WicklowThe Merrion Hotel, DublinThe Winding Stair, DublinTop Regional Member WestAdmiralty Lodge, Co ClareCafé Rua, Co MayoDoonbeg Golf Club, Co ClareGregan’s Castle, Co ClareMount Falcon Country House Hotel, Co MayoGood Food Ireland Host of the Year AwardIn a highly focused and demanding service industry, this award honours the person who offers demonstrable evidence of care, passion, attention to detail and a focus on providing service that excels in every way.Maurice Keller – Arlington Lodge Country House Hotel, WaterfordGillian Ennis – Carrygerry House, Co ClareBernadine Mulhall – Coolanowle Country House & Organic Farm, Co CarlowKay Harte – Farmgate, Cork Kay O’Flynn – Rathsallagh House, Co Wicklow Good Food Ireland Members’ Best Producer Award Using the Good Food Ireland network is central to the organisation’s philosophy. This award will go to the producer the judges feel has been most actively sought out and promoted by fellow members.Connemara Smokehouse, Co GalwayG’s Gourmet Jams, Co LaoisGubbeen Farmhouse Products, Co CorkInagh Farmhouse Cheese, Co ClareKelly’s of Newport, Co MayoSilver Hill Foods, Co MonaghanThe Burren Smokehouse, Co ClareGood Food Ireland International Dietary Award sponsored by Silverhill FoodsThe international visitor to Ireland and indeed the home consumer has varied dietary requirements from pork-free to alcohol free to hallal to coeliac. This award honours the member that is most innovative in the kitchen and in their menu in recognising individuals own lifestyle/daily routines and nutritional requirements.Cornucopia, DublinItsa4, DublinTemple Country Retreat and Spa, Co WesthmeathThe Bread Crumb, Co KerryThe Kitchen & Foodhall, Co LaoisGood Food Ireland Top Overall Member AwardThis award is given to the member who most represents the philosophy of Good Food Ireland and is a benchmark for all others.Ballymaloe House & Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry, Co CorkGood Food Ireland Person of the Year AwardA person who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help and secure the future of Good Food Ireland This award highlights the enormous work and commitment that is carried on behind the scenes – that may not be obvious to the members and indeed the public.Sean Boland, Managing Director Hertz Ireland
