TWO local restaurants have raised the city’s foodie destination profile a little higher by picking up prestigious awards at the recent Restaurants Association of Ireland Awards.
Primrose on the Quay and Walled City Brewery are no strangers to achievements having already notched up 11 awards collectively to date. Adding two new awards to the their display – Walled City brewery won ‘Best Gastro Pub in Ireland’ and Primrose on the Quay celebrated winning the ‘Best Casual Dining Category’ in County Derry at the awards ceremony, which showcased the top talents of Ireland’s hospitality industry.
The Walled City Brewery fought off strong competition from over 8,000 other licensed premises to claim the ‘Best Gastro Pub in Ireland’ title.
Run by husband and wife team, James and Louise Huey, the Walled City Brewery opened in May 2015 and has carved a niche market for itself, priding itself on quality local produce and unique offerings of craft beer, created by Head Brewer James himself and complemented by a beautiful menu of local food.
Primrose on the Quay, having just claimed the North West Restaurant of the Year title at the Derry Chamber of Commerce awards, celebrated one again by winning the ‘Best Casual Dining in County Derry award. Primrose is also ran by a husband and wife team, Ciaran and Melanie Breslin.
The pair launched their first premises back in 2013 – Primrose Café on Carlisle Road and the business has gone from strength to strength with Primrose on the Quay opening late in 2015.
With meats supplied by Ciaran’s Butcher Company – Breslin’s Butchers and all bakery and patisseries on offer, created by Melanie and her team of bakers, local produce is very much at the core of their business.
At a special Mayor’s reception at the Parlour this week, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh said it was a great accolade for the city and district and congratulated the restaurateurs and their staff for their commitment to making the North West a top foodie destination.
He added, “In a short space of time both these restaurants have established themselves as quality dining spots in the city.
“I’d like to congratulate the restaurateurs and their staff on their awards. Your commitment to using local, seasonal food and passion for what you do is a real inspiration for others.
“Derry and Strabane has firmly secured itself as a ‘go to place’ for food and drink lovers.
“Having secured the runner up prize in the Foodie Town Ireland awards in 2016 and celebrated a number of recent major successes for the region at the NI Year of Food and Drink Awards earlier this year, we’re now firmly recognised as a ‘Destination Delicious’.
“Following on from Council’s Year of Food and Drink campaign in the city and district throughout 2016, we remain committed to supporting and developing a lasting legacy of the year for the North West.
“We have excellent food offerings as well as a vast amount of quality local producers and food providers. Both awards achieved by Walled City Brewery and Primrose on the Quay at these distinguished awards, add further stature to our overall standing as a ‘foodie place to go’. Congratulations one again to all involved.”
Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) added:
“Now in their ninth year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the exquisite and admirable calibre of food available in our restaurants and pubs nationwide.
“Online nominations have increased from 9,000 in 2013 to over 80,000 this year and with the increase in interest comes an increase in standards, making the judging process more difficult than ever.
“Our small island boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastropubs, from the exotic taste explosions of world cuisine to the comfort of traditional dishes.
“We have an appreciation for what we eat, for the journey of our food from farm to fork, and for the dedication of those working in the food industry to serve up Ireland’s finest food.”
For further information on Council’s food and drink initiatives visit, www.derrystrabane.com.
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