FOOD&WINE Awards 2018 Winners & Shortlist Results

The winners of the all-new FOOD&WINE Awards in association with Nespresso Professional were announced at a gala luncheon on Sunday 9th September in The InterContinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

The event was attended by Ireland’s top chefs and restaurateurs from across the country and was hosted by broadcaster and publisher, Norah Casey, and comedian and presenter Barry Murphy. Guests were treated to a five-course meal alongside perfectly matched wines courtesy of wine distributors Barry & Fitzwilliam.  

This year, a host of new categories were introduced to reflect the changing face of the Irish culinary scene and capture Ireland’s food revolution.  

The biggest awards of the night – Overall Chef and Restaurant of the Year – went to Andy McFadden & Chef Team in Glovers Alley, Dublin 2 and OX in Belfast, respectively. This year was the first year in FOOD&WINE’s judging process that it was decided to include entire kitchen teams when choosing a winner for Best Chef, as it was felt it best demonstrated the importance of working together to create excellence. 

Esteemed food and wine writer Ernie Whalley was also inducted into the FOOD&WINE Hall of Fame on the day. This award is all about saluting those in the industry who are breaking down barriers and constantly innovating, for the overall good of our food industry. Food and Wine writer Ernie Whalley, restaurant critic in The Sunday Times, and former editor of FOOD&WINE Magazine, is truly one of these people. 

The FOOD&WINE Hall of Fame Award is all about saluting those in the industry who are breaking down barriers & constantly innovating. Friend of FOOD&WINE and your winner tonight is Ernie Whalley. Award presented by Niall Toner of the Sunday Times @Nialltoner @forkncork #FWAwards pic.twitter.com/1ikixFKUAJ

— FOOD&WINE Magazine (@FoodAndWineMag) September 9, 2018

As for our Ambassador of the Year? That went to the incredible Clare Smyth, the first and only female chef to run a restaurant with three Michelin-stars in the UK.

FINAL RESULTS OF ALL CATEGORIES:

Chef of the Year Award 2018

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional

WINNER:

Andy McFadden & Chef Team, Glovers Alley, Dublin 2

An inspirational chef with an equally incredible team, your winners for Chef of the Year is Andy McFadden & Chef Team at Glover’s Alley! It’s a standing ovation! #FWAwards @GloversAlley @Andy_McFadden @NespressoUK pic.twitter.com/lUV1or3YAB

— FOOD&WINE Magazine (@FoodAndWineMag) September 9, 2018

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Danni Barry, Clenaghans, Co. Down

COMMENDED:

Noel McMeel, Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh

TOP TEN BEST CHEFS IN IRELAND:

1. Andy McFadden & Team, Glovers Alley, Dublin
2. Danni Barry, Clenaghans, Co. Down
3. Noel McMeel, Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh 
4. Alex Greene, Deane's Eipic, Belfast
5. JP Mc Mahon, Aniar, Co. Galway
6. Jess Murphy, Kai, Co. Galway
7. Gareth Byrne, Campagne, Co. Kilkenny
8. Steven Toman, OX, Belfast
9. Mikael Viljanen, The Greenhouse, Dublin 2
10. Billy Whitty, Aldridge Lodge, Co. Wexford

Restaurant of the Year Award 2018

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

OX, Oxford Street, Belfast

It's the Big One! You’ve heard diners raving about it from afar and locals are always finding an excuse to stop by.... Your winner for Restaurant of the Year is OX, Belfast! Congrats to all the team! @oxbelfast #FWAwards @NespressoUK pic.twitter.com/GUpwklNiun

— FOOD&WINE Magazine (@FoodAndWineMag) September 9, 2018

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Chapter One, Rotunda, Dublin 1

COMMENDED:

Deane’s EIPIC, Howard Street, Belfast

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANTS IN IRELAND:

1. OX, Oxford Street, Belfast
2. Chapter One, Rotunda, Dublin
3. Deane's EIPIC, Howard Street, Belfast
4. Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
5. Patrick Guilbaud, Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2
6. Forest Avenue, Sussex Terrace, Dublin 4
7. Aniar, Galway
8. Campagne, Co. Kilkenny
9. Etto, Merrion Row, Dublin 2
10. The Greenhouse, Dawson St, Dublin 2

Best Chef Leinster

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Garrett Byrne, Campagne

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Billy Whitty, Aldridge Lodge

COMMENDED:

Ken Harker, The Lady Helen at Mount Juliet

TOP TEN BEST CHEFS IN LEINSTER:

1. Garrett Byrne, Campagne, Co. Kilkenny
2. Billy Whitty, Aldridge Lodge, Co. Wexford
3. Ken Harker, Lady Helen, Mount Juliet, Co. Kilkenny
4. James Kavanagh, The Strawberry Tree, Co. Wicklow
5. James Sheridan, Canteen, Co. Kildare
6. Dee Adamson, The Fatted Calf, Co. Westmeath
7. Kevin Dundon, Dunbrody House, Co. Wexford
8. Paul Hynes, La Côte, Co. Wexford
9. Robert Koerkamp, Viewmount House, Co. Longford
10. John Coffey, Thyme, Co. Westmeath

Best Chef Ulster

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional

WINNER:

Danni Barry, Cleneghans

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Alex Greene, Deane's EIPIC

COMMENDED:

Chris McGowan, Wine & Brine

TOP TEN BEST CHEFS IN ULSTER:

1. Danni Barry, Clenaghans, Co. Down
2. Alex Greene, Deane's EIPIC, Belfast
3. Chris McGowan, Wine & Brine, Co. Armagh
4. Steven Toman, OX, Belfast
5. Noel McMeel, Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh
6. Gareth McCaughey, Muddlers Club, Belfast
7. Conor McClelland, Rayanne House, Belfast
8. Neven Maguire, MacNean House, Co. Cavan
9. Niall McKenna, James Street South, Belfast
10. John Mathers, Newforge House, Co. Armagh

Best Chef Munster

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional

WINNER:

Aidan McGrath, Wild Honey Inn

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Takashi Miyazaki, Ichigo Ichie

COMMENDED:

Dermot Gannon, The Old Convent

TOP TEN BEST CHEFS IN MUNSTER:

1. Aidan McGrath, Wild Honey Inn, Co. Clare
2. Takashi Miyazaki, Miyazaki & Ichigo Ichie, Co. Cork
3. Dermot Gannon, The Old Convent, Co. Tipperary
4. Mike Tweedie, Adare Manor, Co. Limerick
5. Paul Flynn, The Tannery, Co. Waterford
6. Wade Murphy, 1826 Adare, Co. Limerick
7. Bryan McCarthy, Greenes Restaurant, Co. Cork
8. Ahmet Dede, Mews, Baltimore, Co. Cork
9. Rob Krawczyk, The Chestnut, Co. Cork
10. Paul McDonald, Bastion, Co. Cork

Best Chef Connacht

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Jess Murphy, Kai

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

JP McMahon, Aniar

COMMENDED:

Enda McEvoy, Loam

TOP TEN BEST CHEFS IN CONNACHT:

1. Jess Murphy, Kai, Co. Galway
2. JP McMahon, Aniar, Co. Galway
3. Enda McEvoy, Loam, Co. Galway
4. Philippe Farineau, Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
5. Seamus Commons, La Fougére Restaurant, Co. Mayo
6. Jonathan Keane, The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
7. Martin O'Donnell, West At The Twelve, Co. Galway
8. Frankie Mallon, An Port Mór, Co Mayo
9. Tim O'Sullivan, Renvyle House Hotel, Co. Galway
10. Shamzuri Hanifa, The Cottage Restaurant, Co. Leitrim

Best Chef Dublin

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional

WINNER:

Andy McFadden & Chef Team, Glovers Alley

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Graham Neville, Dax

COMMENDED:

Ross Lewis & Chef Team, Chapter One

TOP TEN BEST CHEFS IN DUBLIN:

1. Andy McFadden & Team, Glovers Alley, Dublin 2
2. Graham Neville, Dax, Dublin 2
3. Ross Lewis & Team, Chapter One, Dublin 1
4. Damian Grey, Heron & Grey, Co. Dublin
5. Sunil Ghai, Pickle, Camden Street, Dublin 2
6. John Wyer, Forest Avenue, Dublin 4
7. Karan Mittal, Ananda, Dublin 16  
8. Mikael Viljanen, The Greenhouse, Dublin 2
9. Ciaran Sweeney, Forest & Marcy, Dublin 4
10. Derry Clarke, L'Ecrivain, Dublin 2

Best Restaurant Leinster

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Campagne, Co. Kilkenny 

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Ballyfin Demense, Laois

COMMENDED:

Lady Helen at Mount Juliet, Co. Kilkenny 

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANTS IN LEINSTER:

1. Campagne, Co. Kilkenny
2. Ballyfin Demense, Co. Laois
3. Lady Helen, Co. Kilkenny
4. The Duck Restaurant, Marfield House Hotel, Co. Wexford
5. TwoCooks, Sallins, Co. Kildare  
6. Canteen, Celbridge, Co. Kildare  
7. Wild & Native, Rosslare, Co. Wexford
8. Tankardstown House, Slane, Co. Meath
9. Viewmount House, Co. Longford
10. Chakra, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Best Restaurant Ulster

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Wine & Brine

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Deane’s EIPIC

COMMENDED:

The Muddlers Club

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANTS IN ULSTER:

1. Wine & Brine, Moira, Co. Armagh
2. Deane's EIPIC, Howard Street, Belfast
3. The Muddlers Club, Warehouse Lane, Belfast
4. OX, Oxford Street, Belfast
5. Catalina, Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
6. MacNean House, Tuam, Co. Cavan
7. Howard Street, Howard Street, Belfast
8. Parson's Nose, Hillsborough, Co. Down
9. Kealy’s Seafood Bar, Greencastle, Co Donegal
10. Harry's Shack, Portstewart, Co. Derry

Best Restaurant Connacht

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional

WINNER:

Kai

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Aniar

COMMENDED:

La Fougére

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANTS IN CONNACHT:

1. Kai, Sea Rd, Co. Galway
2. Aniar, Dominick Street, Co. Galway
3. La Fougère, Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo
4. Loam, Fairgreen Rd, Co. Galway
5. The Lodge, Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
6. George V, Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
7. West at The Twelve, Barna, Co. Galway
8. Cian's on Bridge Street, Westport, Co. Mayo
9. An Port Mór, Westport, Co Mayo
10. The Cottage Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

Best Restaurant Munster

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Wild Honey Inn

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

The Old Convent

COMMENDED:

1826 Adare

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANTS IN MUNSTER:

1. Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
2. The Old Convent, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
3. 1826 Adare, Main Street, Co. Limerick
4. Ichigo Ichie, Sheares Street, Co. Cork
5. Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
6. The Tannery, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
7. Restaurant Chestnut, Ballydehob, Co. Cork
8. Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry
9. The House Restaurant at Cliff House, Co. Waterford
10. The Oak Room, Adare Manor Hotel, Co. Limerick

Best Restaurant Dublin

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional

WINNER:

Chapter One

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Heron & Grey

COMMENDED:

Forest Avenue

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANTS IN DUBLIN:

1. Chapter One, Rotunda, Dublin 1
2. Heron & Grey, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
3. Forest Avenue, Sussex Terrace, Dublin 4
4. Glovers Alley, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
5. Patrick Guilbaud, Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2
6. Dax, Pembroke Street Upper, Dublin 2
7. Etto, Merrion Row, Dublin 2
8. Pickle, Camden St, Dublin 2
9. Ananda, Dundrum, Dublin 16
10. The Greenhouse, Dawson St, Dublin 2

F&W Local of the Year Award

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

Michael’s

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

East Café

COMMENDED:

Powers Thatch

TOP TEN BEST LOCALS IN IRELAND:

1. Michael's, Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
2. East Café, Howth, Co. Dublin
3. Powers Thatch, Oughteraud, Co. Galway
4. The Local at Dunbrody House, New Ross, Co. Wexford
5. Mikey Ryan's, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
6. The Salty Dog, Bangor, Co. Down
7. Lobstar, Monkstown, Co. Dublin
8. Eastern Seaboard, Drogheda, Co. Louth
9. Hey Donna, Rathmines, Dublin 6
10. The Tannery, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

F&W Farm & Sea to Plate Award

Sponsored by FarePlate

WINNER:

Ballymaloe House, Co. Cork 

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Klaw Seafood Café

COMMENDED:

Michael’s

TOP TEN FARM & SEA TO PLATE IN IRELAND:

1. Ballymaloe House, Midleton, Co. Cork
2. Klaw Seafood Café, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
3. Michael's, Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
4. Catalina, Lough Erne, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
5. The Strawberry Tree, Macreddin Village, Co. Wicklow
6. Vaughan's, Lahinch, Co. Clare
7. Assassination Custard, Kevin Street, Dublin 8
8. Grow HQ, Co. Waterford
9. Aldridge Lodge, New Ross, Co. Wexford
10. No.35, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

F&W Pub Food of the Year Award

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

The Legal Eagle

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

L. Mulligan Grocer

COMMENDED:

Salty Dog  

TOP TEN BEST PUB FOOD IN IRELAND:

1. The Legal Eagle, Chancery Place, Dublin 1
2. L Mulligan Grocer, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
3. Salty Dog, Bangor, Co. Down
4. Kealy's Seafood Bar, Greencastle, Co. Donegal
5. Mikey Ryan's, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
6. Back Bar at Ballymore Inn, Co. Kildare
7. The Tavern at Murrisk, Westport, Co. Mayo
8. Dirty Duck, Holywood, Co. Down
9. Cronin's Sheebeen, Westport, Co. Mayo
10. Murray's at Doonmore Hotel, Inishboffin, Co. Galway

F&W Restaurant Bar of the Year Award

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

L’Ecrivain

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

The Ivory Champagne Bar

COMMENDED:

Bonsai Bar at Rustic Stone

TOP TEN BEST RESTAURANT BARS IN IRELAND:

1. L'Ecrivain, Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2
2. The Ivory Champagne Bar,  Victoria Square, Belfast
3. Bonsai Bar at Rustic Stone, Fade Street, Dublin 2
4. Cellar Bar, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2
5. Ely Bar, Ely Place, Dublin 2
6. Old Street, Malahide, Co. Dublin
7. MacNean House Bar, Tuam, Co. Cavan
8. Cask at Greenes, MacCurtain St, Co. Cork
9. Dunbrody House, New Ross, Co. Wexford
10. Gin Library at Galgorm Resort, Co. Antrim

F&W Hotel Restaurant of the Year Award

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

La Fougère

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Catalina

COMMENDED:

The Strawberry Tree  

TOP TEN BEST HOTEL RESTAURANTS IN IRELAND:

1. La Fougère, Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo
2. Catalina, Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh  
3. The Strawberry Tree, Macreddin Village, Co. Wicklow
4. The Lady Helen, Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co. Kildare
5. River Room restaurant, Galgorm Resort, Co. Antrim
6. Gregan's Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
7. Ballyfin Demense, Ballyfin, Co. Laois
8. Garden Room, Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2  
9. Samphire, Garryvoe Hotel, Co. Cork
10. The Park Hotel Kenmare, Kenmare, Co. Kerry

F&W Best for Brunch Award

WINNER:

Meet Me In The Morning

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Brother Hubbard North

COMMENDED:

Cloud Café

TOP TEN BEST FOR BRUNCH:

1. Meet Me In The Morning, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 8
2. Brother Hubbard North, Capel St, Dublin 1
3. Cloud Café, North Strand, Dublin 3
4. House, Howth, Co. Dublin
5. Storyboard Café, Islandbridge, Co. Dublin
6. Overends at Airfield Estate, Dublin 16
7. Five Points, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W
8. The Three Q's, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
9. Two Pups Café, Merchants Quay, Dublin 8  
10. Fia, Rathgar, Dublin 6

F&W Best for Romance Award

Sponsored by Weir & Sons

WINNER:

Wineport Lodge

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Inis Meain Restaurant & Suites

COMMENDED:

Belmond Grand Hibernian

TOP TEN BEST FOR ROMANCE:

1. Wineport Lodge, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
2. Inis Meain Restaurant & Suites, Inis Meain, Co. Galway
3. Belmond Grand Hibernian, Luxury Train
4. The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
5. The Mustard Seed, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick
6. Gregans Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
7. Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
8. Deane's Eipic, Howard Street, Belfast
9. Rosa Madre, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
10. Moy House, Lahinch, Co. Clare

F&W Best for Wine Lovers Award

WINNER:

Whelehans Wines

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Piglet Wine Bar

COMMENDED:

Ely Wine Bar

TOP TEN BEST FOR WINE LOVERS

1. Whelehans Wines, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin
2. Piglet Wine Bar, Cows Lane, Dublin 2
3. Ely Wine Bar, Ely Pl, Dublin 2
4. Monty's of Kathmandu, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
5. OX Cave, Belfast
6. Green Man Wines, Terenure Rd, Co. Dublin
7. Kelly's Hotel, Rosslare, Co. Wexford
8. The Black Pig, Kinsale, Co. Cork
9. La Fougère, Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo
10. Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street Dublin 2, Co. Dublin

F&W Rising Star of the Year Award

Sponsored by The Sunday Business Post

WINNER:

Karan Mittal, Ananda

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Richard McCracken, Cyprus Avenue

COMMENDED:

JB Dubois,Grow HQ

TOP TEN RISING STARS IN IRELAND:

1. Karan Mittal, Ananda, Dundrum, Dublin 16
2. Richard McCracken, Cyprus Avenue, Belfast
3. JB Dubois, Grow HQ, Co. Waterford
4. Takashi Miyazaki, Ichigo Ichie, Co. Cork
5. Gareth Smith, Michael's Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
6. Paula Stakelum, Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
7. Talha Pasha, Michael’s Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
8. Robbie McCauley, Gregans Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
9. Ahmet Dede, Mews, Baltimore, Co. Cork
10. Evan O’Ceallaigh, Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin 2

F&W Host of the Year Award

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Talha Pasha, Michael's

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Ed Jolliffe, Glovers Alley

COMMENDED:

John Edward Joyce, The Mustard Seed

TOP TEN BEST HOSTS IN IRELAND

1. Talha Pasha, Michael’s, Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
2. Ed Jolliffe, Glovers Alley, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
3. John Edward Joyce, The Mustard Seed, Co. Limerick
4. Declan Maxwell, Luna, Drury Street, Dublin 2
5. Danny Desmond, Chapter One, Dublin 1
6. Saul McConnell, Noble, Holywood, Co.Down
7. John Healy, Suesey Street, Co. Dublin
8. Stéphane Robin, Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin 2
9. Andrew Scott, One Pico, School House Lane, Dublin 2
10. Veronika Zakar, Lobstar, Monkstown, Co. Dublin

F&W Pastry Chef of the Year Award

Sponsored by Nespresso Professional 

WINNER:

Aoife Noonan, Glovers Alley

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Paul Kelly, The Merrion Hotel

COMMENDED:

Paula Stakelum, Ashford Castle

TOP TEN BEST PASTRY CHEFS IN IRELAND:

1. Aoife Noonan, Glovers Alley, Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
2. Paul Kelly, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2
3. Paula Stakelum, Ashford Castle, The Cong, Co. Mayo
4. Darren Hogarty, Chapter One, Dublin 1
5. Caoimhe Hanafin, The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin 2
6. Conor McClelland, Rayanne House, Holywood, Co. Down
7. Shane Smith, Overends at Airfield Estate, Dublin 16
8. Monto Monsour, Foyle Hotel, Co. Donegal
9. David Fitzgibbon, St. George’s Terrace, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim
10. Cian Mooney, Loam, Fairgreen Rd, Co. Galway

F&W Sommelier of the Year Award

WINNNER:

Julie Dupouy

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Ian Brosnan

COMMENDED:

Alain Kerloch

TOP TEN BEST SOMMELIERS IN IRELAND: 

1. Julie Dupouy, Down 2 Wine & Consultant Sommelier at Chapter One
2. Ian Brosnan, Ely, Ely Pl., Dublin 2
3. Alain Kerloch, OX, Belfast
4. Martina Delaney, Whelehan's, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin
5. Talha Pasha, Michael's Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin
6. Nicholas Faujours, Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo
7. Soizic Kiely, Les Gourmandises, Cook Street, Co. Cork
8. James Brookes, Glovers Alley, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
9. Blaithin McCabe, McNean House, Tuam, Co. Cavan
10. Eva Iwasaki, Green Man Wines, Terenure, Co. Dublin