A total of 18 Laois winners were crowned out at the Leinster section of the Irish Restaurant Awards held in Naas last night.
Over 1,000 people attended the awards function in the Killashee Hotel individual county winners in each of the 18 categories were honoured.
Winners were chosen from 11 of the Leinster counties. Dublin is in a region on its own.
Ballyfin Demesne led the way with three awards, while there were two awards each for Bramley (Abbeyleix), Treacy’s (The Heath) and The Hare’s Corner (Mountmellick).
Le Skinny Chef, Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery (Stradbally), Batoni’s (Emo), Morrissey’s (Abbeyleix), Le vie en Rose (Durrow), Wandering Elk (Portlaoise), Bowe’s (Durrow), Make and Mark (Portlaoise) and Mayur (Portlaoise) were also among the winners.
Now in its 16th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards received nearly 165,000 public nominations this year, submitted through The Irish Times – the official media partner of the awards.
Following the completion of all regional finals, the Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, May 19, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.
Speaking at the ceremony, Seán Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said:
“Tonight is about recognising the outstanding efforts of those who bring Ireland’s culinary reputation to life every day.
“In a challenging business environment, it is more important than ever to honour the people whose hard work, passion and creativity shape our hospitality sector.”
“The Leinster Regional Final once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation that define this region’s culinary landscape.
“I want to extend my congratulations to all the winners and nominees. It is their hard work that makes Ireland’s food scene truly exceptional.”
The full list of Laois winners, and their categories, is as follows:
- Best Restaurant – Bramley Abbeyleix
- Best Chef – Richard Piccard Edwards, Ballyfin Demesne
- Best Restaurant Manager – Kasia Urban, Bramley Abbeyleix
- Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Ballyfin Demesne
- Best Use of Social Media – The Make & Mark
- Employee Excellence Award – Colm Dunne, Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant
- Best Casual Dining – Bowe’s Foodhall & Cafe
- Best Gastro Pub – Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant
- Best Café – The Wandering Elk
- Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine – The Hare’s Corner
- Best Newcomer – La Vie en Rose
- Pub of the Year – Morrissey’s
- Best Wine Experience – Ballyfin Demesne
- Best Customer Service – Batonis
- Best World Cuisine – Mayur Restaurant
- Best Sustainable Practices – Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery
- Innovator of the Year – The Hare’s Corner
- Local Food Hero – Aymar Gourdet, Le Skinny Chef
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