The all-new 2019 FOOD AND WINE Awards in association with Rémy Martin were held in Dublin last evening, unveiling a new vision for the brand and awards.
Now in its 19th year, the FOOD AND WINE Awards is the pinnacle event of the year for the Irish food industry and the restaurant hitlist that everyone covets.
Held in the refurbished Great Room of the Shelbourne Hotel and attended by some of Ireland's best chefs and restaurateurs from across the country - as well as culinary talent from abroad - the FOOD AND WINE Awards is about honouring legacy and heritage by acknowledging the past, while turning the spotlight on the stars of the present and forecasting the future.
On the night, the two overall awards went to OX in Belfast, nabbing the 'Best Restaurant in Ireland' title, while 'Best Chef' went to The Greenhouse's Head Chef Mickael Viljanen.
Other regional awards went to newly Michelin-starred Ichigo Ichie in Cork, while JP McMahon's Aniar scooped the best in the west.
FOOD AND WINE Editor, Dee Laffin also interviewed a food-scene legend, Pierre Koffmann – one of a handful of chefs in the world to have been awarded the coveted three Michelin stars.
For the full list of FOOD AND WINE Awards winners, scroll down...
NATIONAL RESTAURANT AWARDS
Hotel Restaurant of the Year
WINNER: The Oak Room @ Adare Manor, Limerick
Helmed by chef Mike Tweedie, The Oak Room is one of the finest dining locations in the west, serving up contemporary menus created with local Irish ingredients.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Taylor & Clay @ Bullit Hotel, Belfast
COMMENDED: The Lady Helen @ Mount Juliet, Kilkenny
Best Casual Dining
WINNER: Assassination Custard, Dublin 8
This family-run eatery champions local Irish produce in a tiny restaurant on Kevin Street in Dublin.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Forest & Marcy, Dublin 4
COMMENDED: Tartare, Galway
Farm & Sea to Plate
WINNER: Michael’s, Dublin
Run by Chef Gaz Smith, Michael's is known for its dedication to great Irish seafood, with the restaurant's ever-changing menu showcasing unusual ingredients.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Inis Meáin Suites, Inishmann, Galway
COMMENDED: Longueville House, Cork
Best for Wine Lovers
WINNER: The Black Pig, Kinsale, Cork
Known for its extensive wine list, The Black Pig offers hundreds of wines by the bottle and the glass, highlighting a range of unique flavours and regions.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Whelahans wines, Dublin
COMMENDED: Ely, Dublin
Classic of the Year
WINNER: Ballymore Inn, Kildare
This family-run inn is well-known for its hospitality and homegrown produce. Open for more than 16 years, this spot is well-loved by all who visit.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Mustard Seed, Limerick
COMMENDED: China Sichuan, Sandyford, Dublin
Pub Food of the Year
WINNER: The Oarsman, Leitrim
This gastropub is popular with locals and visitors alike, who return again and again to try The Oarsman's delicious housemade dishes.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kealy's Inishowen, Donegal
COMMENDED: Legal Eagle, Dublin 1
Café of the Year
WINNER: Luncheonette @ NCAD, Dublin 8
Former NCAD student Jennie Moran opened Luncheonette after the college canteen closed and ever since, she has been serving innovative, delicious and reasonably priced food for students and the public alike.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Iniswallagh, Inisboffin, Mayo
COMMENDED: The Green Onion, Limerick
Start-Up of the Year
WINNER: Uno Mas, Dublin 2
The second restaurant from the team behind award-winning Etto, Uno Mas ha been wowing guests with its Mediterranean-style food since it opened.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Little Fox, Ennistymon, Clare
COMMENDED: Bread 41, Dublin 2
Readers’ Choice Awards
WINNER: No. Three Old Bar & Restaurant, Collon, Louth
Founded by mother-and-son duo Martina and Wayne Fitzpatrick, this casual gastropub offers delicious food in a relaxed setting.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Gather Restaurant, Tuam, Galway
COMMENDED: Chameleon Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin
NATIONAL PEOPLE AWARDS
Rising Star of the Year
WINNER: Roisin Gillen, Liath, Blackrock, Dublin
Part of the team that helped win Heron & Grey its Michelin star, Roisin Gillen is one to watch. She has had a fantastic 2019 so far, which has included a sold-out pop-up honouring women in the industry, as well as working at the newly-opened and highly praised Liath.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jordan Bailey, Aimsir, Kildare
COMMENDED: Jame Cullinane, Longueville House, Cork
Host of the Year
WINNER: Stéphane Robin, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin 2
Restaurant manager at Ireland's only two-starred Michelin restaurant, Stéphane is known for his welcoming manner and ability to put diners at ease.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Majken Bech Bailey, Aimsir, Kildare
COMMENDED: Jane O’Callaghan, Longueville House, Cork
Pastry Chef of the Year
WINNER: Darren Hogarty, Chapter One, Dublin 1
Working at one of Dublin's best-known Michelin-starred restaurants, Darren's creations are both delicious and beautiful, highlighting the very best of Irish produce.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lali Gonzalez, The Greenhouse, Dublin 2
COMMENDED: Nicole Crowe, OX, Belfast
Sommelier of the Year
Sponsored by O'Briens
WINNER: Cathryn Steunenberg, Aimsir
As well as creating one of the country's most innovative wine lists at newly-opened Aimsir, Cathryn is welcoming and warm to each guest that walks through the door, helping them to comfortably try delicious and unique wines.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sean Gargano, The Legal Eagle, Dublin
COMMENDED: Alain Kerloch, OX, Belfast
Restaurant Bartender of the Year
WINNER: Alan McGillivary, The Market Bar, Dublin 2
One of the most experienced bartenders in the country, Alan has created a delicious drinks list at The Market Bar, ensuring there is something on offer for every palate.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: David Somerville The Legal Eagle, Dublin 1
COMMENDED: Paul Lambert Shaker & Vine, Swords, Dublin
International Chef of the Year
WINNER: Anna Haugh, Myrtle Restaurant, London, England
Tallaght chef Anna Haugh has worked with some of the UK's top chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and Philip Howard, before she opened her own modern Irish restaurant in London earlier this year.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Robin Gill, The Dairy, Counter Culture, Sorella, Darby's, London, England
COMMENDED: Clare Smyth, Core, London, England and New York, USA
Outstanding Champion
Sponsored by Kerrygold
WINNER: Gaz Smith
Owner and head chef at Michael's and Little Mike's, Gaz helped spearhead the Seafood September initiative, while promoting amazing Irish produce, suppliers and, most of all, seafood on both his menus and social media.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Conor Spacey
COMMENDED: Jess Murphy
REGIONAL AWARDS
Best Restaurant Ulster
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: OX, Belfast
Helmed by chef Stephen Toman, Michelin-starred OX in Belfast is known for its inventive food and inviting atmosphere.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: James St, Belfast
COMMENDED: Muddlers Club, Belfast
Best Restaurant Munster
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Ichigo Ichie, Cork
Newly Michelin-starred, Takashi Miyazaki's Ichigo Ichie has brought Japanese fine-dining with an Irish twist to the Rebel county, wowing guests and critics alike.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bastion, Kinsale, Cork
COMMENDED: Mews, Baltimore, Cork
Best Restaurant Connacht
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Aniar, Galway
JP McMahon's Michelin-starred restaurant highlights the best of the West, with Irish ingredients and unique flavours making up each menu.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Loam, Galway
COMMENDED: Kai, Galway
Best Restaurant Leinster
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Aimsir, Kildare
Opened by Jordan Bailey and Majken Bech-Bailey earlier this year, the menu at Aimsir is an ever-changing celebration of Irish food.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Campagne, Kilkenny
COMMENDED: Two Cooks, Sallins, Kildare
Best Restaurant Dublin
WINNER: The Greenhouse
This Michelin-starred restaurant on Dublin's Dawson Street currently offers some of the most exciting food in the country.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Chapter One
COMMENDED: Liath
Best Chef Connacht
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Enda McEvoy, Loam
Owner and chef at Michelin-starred Loam, Enda McEvoy is a champion of Irish food and flavours.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Jess Murphy, Kai
COMMENDED: Seamus Commons, La Fougere
Best Chef Munster
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Takashi Miyasaki, Ichigo Ichie
Earning his first Michelin star last year, Takashi is the owner of Miyazaki and Ichigo Ichie in Cork, which is known for serving Japanese food with an Irish twist.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ahmet Dede, Mews
COMMENDED: Mike Tweedie, Oak Room @ Adare Manor
Best Chef Leinster
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Jordan Bailey, Aimsir
The former chef at three Michelin-starred Maaemo in Norway, Jordan Bailey opened Aimsir earlier this year and has been wowing visitors with his unique take on Irish food ever since.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Garret Byrne, Campagne
COMMENDED: Billy Whitty, Aldridge Lodge
Best Chef Ulster
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Stephen Toman, OX
Head chef at Michelin-starred restaurant OX in Belfast, Stephen is known for creating some of the island's very best food.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Carmel McGirr, MacNean House
COMMENDED: Niall McKenna, James St South
Best Chef Dublin
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Mickael Viljanen, The Greenhouse
Head chef at Dublin's The Greenhouse, Mickael has helped the restaurant to achieve its one Michelin star status while serving unique and innovative food.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Damien Grey, Liath
COMMENDED: Graham Neville, DAX
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Best Under 30
Sponsored by S.Pellegrino
WINNER: Grainne O'Keefe, Clanbrassil House, Dublin 2
Well-known in Dublin, Grainne is head chef at Clanbrassil House and culinary director at BuJo Burger Joint. She has had an amazing year, which has seen her take part in Guinness X MEATOPIA, the Peroni series and a variety of pop-ups.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Karan Mittal, Ananda, Dundrum
COMMENDED: Django Getsee, Farnham Estate, Cavan
Best Producer
Sponsored by IFSA Chef Network
WINNER: Mike Thomson, Young Buck Cheese, Down
Founded in 2014, Mike Thomson's Young Buck is Northern Ireland's first blue cheese created with local raw milk.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Imbibe Coffee, Dublin
COMMENDED: Crawford’s Farm, Tipperary
Best Workplace
WINNER: Caisleain Óir, Annagry, Donegal
Founded by the McDevitt family in 1978, this hotel is known for treating staff with courtesy and understanding, as well as keeping staff on a long-term basis due to its positive environment.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Pig’s Ear, Dublin 2
COMMENDED: Balloo Inns Group, Antrim
OVERALL WINNERS
Hall of Fame
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
John & Sally McKenna, McKenna’s Guides
Best Restaurant
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: OX, Belfast
Another award for Michelin-starred OX in Belfast, which is known for its inventive food and inviting atmosphere.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Chapter One, Dublin
COMMENDED: Ichigo Ichie, Cork
Best Chef
Sponsored by Rémy Martin
WINNER: Mickael Viljanen, The Greenhouse
Mickael Viljanen of Dublin's Michelin-starred restaurant The Greenhouse is known for creating some of the most inventive and delicious food in the country.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Stephen Toman, OX
COMMENDED: John Wyer, Forest Avenue
