Rural retreats make clean sweep of top food awards
GOURMETS will literally have to head for the four corners of Ireland to sample the best of what the country has to offer if they trace the path of this year's Good Food Ireland awards, announced yesterday.
From the farthest reaches of Donegal to the eastern seaboard and on to the southern capital, the only remarkable gap in the geographical spread was that not one of the awards went to a restaurant or food outlet in Dublin.
Rathmullan House, Co Donegal, took the accolade of Top Overall Member Award because it "epitomises how to showcase local produce", said Margaret Jeffares, managing director of Good Food Ireland.
"They are completely passionate about what they do and incorporate food into selling their whole product," she said.
Ms Jeffares said the awards, which are now in their third year, were aimed at highlighting places committed to local Irish food so consumers could make informed choices on where to go to eat out or stay.
The Good Food Ireland Person of the Year Award was shared by Maurice Keller, Arlington Lodge Country House Hotel in Waterford and Peter Ward, of Country Choice, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Kelly's of Newport, Co Mayo, and Rua, Castlebar, Co Mayo, scooped the Best Next Generation and New Member of the Year Awards respectively while the Connemara Smokehouse & Visitor Centre, Co Galway, won the Best Use of Sustainable Fish Award.
Regional winners included the Lough Erne Golf Resort, Fermanagh, Glebe Gardens and Cafe, Co Cork, Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, Co Wicklow, and Doonbeg, Co Clare.
The Environmental Efficiency Award was won by Monart Destination Spa, Co Wexford, the Host of the Year award went to Claire Nash, of Nash 19 Restaurant & Food shop, Cork, and the Best Producer Award went to the Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre, Co Clare.
The awards, sponsored by Silver Hill Foods, Bord Bia, and Independent News and Media, are designed as part of Good Food Ireland's campaign to 'grow' Ireland as a food tourism destination. You can visit www.goodfoodireland.ie to receive the latest special offers and book a good food holiday direct.
- Grainne Cunningham
