Good Food Ireland Awards

Good Food Ireland Awards 2008

Good Food Ireland is a unique not-for-profit all island network of industry members who diligently work to grow Ireland as a food tourism destination. It promotes the link between the food producer and the hospitality sector in order to drive our domestic and international tourists to places committed to using local food.

The key objectives of these awards are to honour those members who epitomise the Good Food Ireland philosophy and to raise standards within the food and hospitality industry. Members are independently assessed by an expert judging panel and the public can also nominate members over the Good Food Ireland website. Awards like the Good Food Ireland Members Best Producer Award, International Dietary Award, Next Generation Award and Top Overall Member Award highlight the commitment of the members to raise standards, promote local produce to consumers and drive Ireland forward as a worthy food tourism destination.

Over 300 key representatives from the food and tourism sectors including chefs, restrauteurs, hoteliers, farmers, fishermen and food producers from the four corners of Ireland will attend the awards and provide a showcase of the best of local and artisan food produce. Good Food Ireland Chairman, Redmond O’ Donoghue and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen T.D. will preside over the event. Cuisine and food produce satisfies new traveller demands for hands-on, interactive experiences. Good Food Ireland promotes the people behind the food from the chef to the cheese maker and highlights the cultural link between a country, its people and its food.

Good Food Ireland Best Local Breakfast Award sponsored by Fáilte Ireland

This award clearly maximises the use of local produce, home baking and sourcing and embraces signature and regional dishes. It also takes into account how the breakfast is presented and served.
Nominations:
Aldrige Lodge, Co Wexford
Ballyvolane House, Co Cork
Coolanowle Country House and Organic Farm, Co Carlow
Rigney’s Farmhouse B&B, Co Limerick
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Winner: Coolanowle Country House and Organic Farm, Co Carlow


Good Food Ireland Best Next Generation Award sponsored by Lily O’Briens

There are a number of next generation operators within the industry, striving to follow or exceed in the footsteps of parents or young chefs/people growing and developing in the industry. This award honours and promotes their efforts in maintaining and raising standards and in highlighting innovation.

Nominations:

Graham Roberts - Connemara Smokehouse, Co Galway

Simon O'Hara - Coopershill House, Co Sligo

Fingal Ferguson -Gubbeen Farmhouse Products, Co Cork

Tim McCarthy - Jack McCarthy Meats, Co Cork

Kenneth Kelly - Kelly's of Newport, Co Mayo

Joe O'Flynn - Rathsallagh House, Co Wicklow
Winner: Tim McCarthy - Jack McCarthy Meats, Co Cork


Good Food Ireland Wine Person of the Year Award sponsored by Classic Drinks

Not necessarily a sommelier, this award goes to somebody who is passionate about their subject, able to interact with customers and explain and work with their wine list in detail. This award also provides the winner with a fabulous prize of a four-day trip to visit the ALVARO PALACIS vineyards and winery in RIOJA, all expenses paid compliments of Classic Drinks, Good Food Ireland's wine partner.

Nominations:

Colm McCan - Ballymaloe House, Co Cork

Sean Gargano - Eden Restaurant, Dublin

Paul Carroll - Ghan House, Co Louth

Pierre Toussaint - Hayfield Manor, Cork

Florian Lemercier - The Clarence Hotel, Dublin

Damian Corr - The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Winner: Damian Corr - The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

Good Food Ireland Environmental Energy Efficiency Award sponsored by A&L Goodbody

This award honours the member that has done something significant to improve their energy efficiency and identify the kind of savings being made either in terms of cost or energy use.

Nominations:

Gleeson's Artisan Food & Wine Shop, Roscommon

Kelly's Resort Hotel, Co Wexford

Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry

Silver Hill Foods, Co Monaghan

Ummera Smoked Products, Co Cork
Winner: Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry


Good Food Ireland Most Innovative Use of IT Award sponsored by Biznet

An award to celebrate the member who, in the opinion of the judges, makes the best use of IT to promote their business. The judges will look for innovate use of IT rather than simply using the electronic medium for delivery. Promoting the philosophy of prioritising farmers, fishermen and local and artisan food producers will be taken into account.

Nominations:

Ballymaloe Cookery School, Co Cork

James Whelan Butchers, Co Tipperary

Temple Country Retreat and Spa, Co Westmeath

The Apple Farm, Co Tipperary
Winner: James Whelan Butchers, Co Tipperary


Good Food Ireland Best use of Sustainable Local Fish Award sponsored by Waterford Crystal

This award highlights those who use/catch and promote sustainable fishing and locally caught fish from Irish coastal waters. It is to single out a member who is instrumental in ensuring sustainability and best practice standards, which will ultimately have an influence on the Irish food/fishing industry and its culture.

Nominations:

Caviston's Restaurant & Food Emporium, Co Dublin

Fishy Fishy Café, Co Cork

Martyn's Lobsters, Co Waterford

Rathmullan House, Co Donegal

The Winding Stair, Dublin
Winner: Fishy Fishy Café, Co Cork


Good Food Ireland Top Regional Member Awards sponsored by Tourism Ireland

These four awards will be judged across all member sectors. The winner will be the member who most epitomises in each region the Good Food Ireland philosophy of committing above all else to using local and artisan food.

Top Regional Member North
Nominations:

Belle Isle School of Cookery, Co Fermanagh

Ditty's Home Bakery & Coffee Shop, Co Derry

Gardiners Restaurant, Co Derry

Lough Erne Golf Resort, Co Fermanagh

Newforge House, Co Armagh
Winner: Belle Isle School of Cookery, Co Fermanagh


Top Regional Member South
Nominations:

Café Paradiso, Cork Farmgate, Cork

Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork

QC's Seafood Bar & Restaurant, Co Kerry

The Blue Geranium Café at Hosfords Garden Centre, Co Cork

The Cliff House Hotel, Co Waterford

The Poacher's Inn, Co Cork

The Tannery, Co Waterford

Urru Culinary Store, Co Cork
Winner: The Cliff House Hotel, Co Waterford

Top Regional Member East
Nominations:

Aldridge Lodge, Co Wexford

Café Odhran, Co Laois

Fallons Bar & Café, Co Kildare

Rathsallagh House, Co Wicklow

The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

The Winding Stair, Dublin
Winner: The Winding Stair, Dublin

Top Regional Member West
Nominations:

Admiralty Lodge, Co Clare

Café Rua, Co Mayo

Doonbeg Golf Club, Co Clare

Gregan's Castle, Co Clare

Mount Falcon Country House Hotel, Co Mayo
Winner: Gregan's Castle, Co Clare


Good Food Ireland Host of the Year Award sponsored by Failte Ireland

In a highly focused and demanding service industry, this award honours the person who offers demonstrable evidence of care, passion, attention to detail and a focus on providing service that excels in every way.

Nominations:

Maurice Keller - Arlington Lodge Country House Hotel, Waterford

Gillian Ennis - Carrygerry House, Co Clare

Bernadine Mulhall - Coolanowle Country House & Organic Farm, Co Carlow

Kay Harte – Farmgate, Cork

Kay O'Flynn - Rathsallagh House, Co Wicklow
Winner: Kay O'Flynn - Rathsallagh House, Co Wicklow


Good Food Ireland Members’ Best Producer Award sponsored by Bord Bia

Using the Good Food Ireland network is central to the organisation’s philosophy. This award will go to the producer the judges feel has been most actively sought out and promoted by fellow members.

Nominations:

Connemara Smokehouse, Co Galway

G's Gourmet Jams, Co Laois

Gubbeen Farmhouse Products, Co Cork

Inagh Farmhouse Cheese, Co Clare

Kelly's of Newport, Co Mayo

Silver Hill Foods, Co Monaghan

The Burren Smokehouse, Co Clare
Winner: G's Gourmet Jams, Co Laois


Good Food Ireland International Dietary Award sponsored by Silverhill Foods

The international visitor to Ireland and indeed the home consumer has varied dietary requirements from pork-free to alcohol free to hallal to coeliac. This award honours the member that is most innovative in the kitchen and in their menu in recognising individual’s own lifestyle/daily routines and nutritional requirements.

Nominations:

Cornucopia, Dublin

Itsa4, Dublin

Temple Country Retreat and Spa, Co Westmeath

The Bread Crumb, Co Kerry

The Kitchen & Foodhall, Co Laois
Winner: Itsa4, Dublin


Person of the Year Award sponsored by Hertz

A person who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help and secure the future of Good Food Ireland This award highlights the enormous work and commitment that is carried on behind the scenes – that may not be obvious to the members and indeed the public.
Winner: Sean Boland Managing Director Hertz


Good Food Ireland Top Overall Member Award sponsored by Independent Newspapers

This award is given to the member who most represents the philosophy of Good Food Ireland and is a benchmark for all others.
Winner: Ballymaloe House and Cookery School