THE last of four regional finals in this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards took place at La Mon Hotel, Belfast, last night where 135 awards were presented to leading chefs, restaurants and pubs.
A host of Derry establishments shone brightly at the gala night which celebrated the best of food, wine, premises and staff across the North of Ireland.
District 45 and The Sooty Olive Restaurant were the toast of the night with each picking up two awards.
Over 400 people attended the Ulster Regional Final on Wednesday evening where the top establishments in each county were named.
The awards covered a wide range of venues and the winners from each of Ulster’s nine counties were selected from the following categories: Best Casual Dining, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine, Best Kids Size Me, Best ‘Free From’, Best World Cuisine, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Wine Experience, Pub of the Year, Best Café, Best Customer Service, Best Gastro Pub, Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant, Best Newcomer, Best Chef and Best Restaurant. There was also a special Regional award for Ulster’s Local Food Hero.
Speaking at the awards, Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said:
“Now in their tenth 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.”
Below is the full list of Derry winners:
Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – District 45
Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – The Sooty Olive Restaurant
Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – Amici
Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – The Sooty Olive
Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Indus Valley Cuisine
Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Primrose Derry
Best Wine Experience sponsored by ClassicDrinks – Browns Bonds Hill
Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Peadar O’Donnells Bar
Best Café sponsored by Illy – Warke’s Deli
Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – Anglers Restaurant
Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Beech Hill Country House
Best Customer Service – Mama Masala
Best Restaurant Manager sponsored by AIB Merchant Services – James McKee of District 45
Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Derek Creagh of Primrose Derry
Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants – Church Street Restaurant
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