Ulster winners named at Irish Restaurant Awards

A number of Cavan and Monaghan businesses have been named among Ulster’s Best in Food and Hospitality at the Irish Restaurant Awards Regional Final.

Following the conclusion of all regional events, regional and national winners will be announced at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on May 18 at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin. The following county winners from Ulster will now progress to the national stage.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Best Restaurant: MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion and the Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross.

Best Chef: Peter Styskal, People's Restaurant, Cavan town and Karl Breen, Wild Thyme, Three Mile House.

Best Restaurant Manager: Christopher McPartlin, MacNean House & Restaurant, Blacklion and Charlotte Carr, Courthouse Restaurant, Carrickmacross.

Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt and Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough.

Employee Excellence: Jean Wilson, Virginia Park Lodge, Virginia and Dean Coyne, Hillgrove Hotel, Leisure & Spa, Monaghan Town.

Best Use of Social Media: Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort, Farnham and The Squealing Pig Bar & Restaurant, Monaghan Town.

Best Casual Dining: Chapter Food & Living Cavan, Cavan Town and Ambledown Cottage, Glaslough.

Best World Cuisine: Chilli Lounge, Cavan Town and Eastern Balti, Monaghan Town.

Best Gastro Pub: Murph's Gastro Pub at The Derragarra Inn, Butlers Bridge and Andy's Bar & Restaurant, Monaghan Town.

Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill and Snaffles Restaurant at Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough.

Best Newcomer: Café Nua Lurganboy, Cavan Town and An Nead, Monaghan Town.

Pub of the Year: Abbey Bar, Cavan Town, and Terry's Bar, Monaghan Town.

Best Wine Experience: Wine Goose Cellar at Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort, Farnham and DV Lounge at Westenra Arms Hotel, Monaghan Town.

Best Customer Service: Atrium Bar at Cavan Crystal Hotel, Cavan Town and  Jimmy's Bar & Restaurant, Monaghan Town.

Best Café: Hard Boiled Egg Cafe, Cavan Town and Screaming Bean Café, Monaghan Town.

Best Sustainable Practices: Oak Room Restaurant, Cavan Town and Wild Thyme Three Mile House.

Innovator of the Year: Blossoms by Marissa, Ballyjamesduff and Screaming Bean Café, Monaghan Town.

Local Food Hero: Kieron and Claire Moran, Moran's Mega Jam, Killygarry and Gareth Moore, Fatboy Sauces, Monaghan.

See next week's newspaper for more.