Caption from Left: Ronan & Jill Kinsella, Pauline & Paul Lenehan of Firecastle, Co Kildare which won shop of the year in the Good Food Awards 2023.

 

Good Food Ireland® is delighted to announce the shortlisted finalists for its highly-regarded and unique cross-sector Awards. The winners are due to be revealed at a high-profile, five-star dinner showcasing a wealth of Ireland’s fantastic produce taking place on Monday 11th November at The K Club Hotel, County Kildare.

 

The Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 in association with FBD Insurance celebrate businesses at every layer of our island’s food and drink industry. From primary producers, manufacturers, and chefs, to shops, hotels, tourism experiences, and restaurants, those businesses who make the shortlist are regarded by the judges as embodying all that makes Ireland’s food offering so standout.

 

The core emphasis of the Awards is the consumer experience of local, fresh, seasonal, Irish ingredients. Good Food Ireland® highlights tourism-hospitality and retail businesses that prioritise local produce and encourages others. This in turn supports Irish farmers, food producers and fishermen, sustainably strengthening local economies and communities.

 

An independent collection of Irish and international leaders with in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry makes up this year’s judging panel who shortlisted the nominees from those businesses approved by Good Food Ireland®, subject to meeting strict criteria through onsite inspection. They include: Founder and Managing Director of Good Food Ireland® Margaret Jeffares, former Good Food Ireland® Operations Director Susan Kerr, Journalist John Wilson, Hospitality consultant Tom O’Connell, Lecturer in the School of Hospitality Management & Tourism at TU Dublin Dr Detta Melia, Executive Chairman and Owner of Odyssey International Kevin Shannon, and previous Chef and Hotelier Maurice Keller. The expert panel will select the overall winner following mystery inspections and assessments in the weeks preceding the prize giving dinner in November.

 

For the first time this year there was also the opportunity for all other businesses around the island of Ireland who believe they share the Good Food Ireland® philosophy, to enter a dedicated “Food Lovers Choice Award” for which the public will soon have the opportunity to cast their votes! Online voting will commence on Friday 4th October and remain open until Sunday 20th October.

 

Other awards of recognition will include: the Good Food Ireland® 5 Star Hotel of the Year; Culinary Haven of the Year; Restaurant of the Year; Pub of the Year and the Supreme Award sponsored by the Awards’ Official Partners FBD Insurance. Tourism Ireland is sponsoring the Good Food Ireland® Food Tourism Experience Award which highlights those businesses who feature local Irish food or drink as part of their visitor experience, whilst Bord Bia sponsors the highly regarded Overall Producer of the Year Award and AIB the Sustainability Award. Other award sponsors include: The National Dairy Council, Roe and Co; Boursot Wines, and Waterford, along with The K Club, Co. Kildare as Host Partner.

 

Margaret Jeffares, Founder and Managing Director of Good Food Ireland® says: “We’re delighted to be back with another Good Food Ireland® Awards and, as part of the judging panel I have to admit that each year we do this, it gets harder due to the high calibre of entries and increasing commitment to prioritising local Irish produce. It is important that those businesses communicate this shared philosophy to inform customers and attract new visitors seeking an authentic, cultural Irish food or drink experience. Seeing all these businesses collaborate and work together across sectors to help build our island’s reputation for spectacular food and drink overseas in order to create inclusive economic growth is truly fantastic.

“All of those businesses who have made it onto 2024’s shortlist are a genuine inspiration. Proud and passionate ambassadors of Ireland who strive to capture the very essence of the authenticity and provenance that makes our food and drink so uniquely ours. All the judges would like to extend our congratulations to them and wish everyone the best of luck for the 11th November.”

 

See the full shortlist of finalists for the Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 in association with FBD Insurance below. For full details on the individual awards, tickets to the event, and general information about Good Food Ireland® visit goodfoodireland.ie.

See Main Awards 2024 Page and Shortlisted Finalists

 

Good Food Ireland®

goodfoodireland.ie

@goodfoodireland

 

-ENDS-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caption from Left:

1. Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development & Social Protection & Margaret Jeffares, CEO, Good Food Ireland®.
2. Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development & Social Protection, Margaret Jeffares, CEO, Good Food Ireland®, Paul Heery, General Manager, The K Club & Ivan Kiersey, Freezin’ Friesian.
3. Ivan Kiersey, Freezin’ Friesian, Heather Humphreys, Margaret Jeffares, Paul Heery.

 

For further information contact:

Good Food Ireland®

[email protected]

 

Notes to Editors

About the Awards:

 

The Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 in association with FBD Insurance.

All businesses approved by Good Food Ireland®, subject to meeting strict criteria through onsite inspection, are eligible for the awards. An independent panel of industry experts will create a shortlist of finalists in each of the award categories. Following further onsite mystery inspection and assessment the winners will be selected. The public will also have an opportunity to vote in the Food Lovers Choice Award for their Favourite Place to Eat, Favourite Food or Drink Producer or Favourite Place to Shop in each of the tourism regions across the island of Ireland.

 

Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 in association with FBD Insurance

Award Categories & Shortlisted Finalists

5 Star Hotel of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® 5 Star Hotel of The Year highlights a hotel that has achieved a harmonious balance between culinary excellence, sourcing the finest local ingredients that push the boundaries of traditional gastronomy, luxurious surroundings, beautifully appointed rooms, state-of-the-art amenities and exceptional service, creating an unforgettable experience for its guests.

Finalists:

The Europe Resort & Spa, Kerry

Hayfield Manor, Cork

The K Club, Kildare

Grand Central Belfast

Anantara The Marker Dublin

The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens, Kerry

Culloden Estate & Spa, Down

The Merrion, Dublin

 

Culinary Haven of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Culinary Haven of the Year offers an exceptional experience, in itself a food and drink destination that epitomises culinary excellence, highlighting the very best of local Irish produce.

Finalists:

Cashel House, Galway

The Bushmills Inn, Antrim

Ard na Sidhe Country House, Kerry

Delphi Lodge & Estate, Galway

Rathmullan House, Donegal

Castle Leslie Estate, Monaghan

Ballymaloe House Hotel, Cork

Ghan House, Louth

Bunratty Manor Hotel, Clare

Barberstown Castle, Kildare

 

4 Star Hotel of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® 4 Star Hotel of the Year delivers a high-quality dining experience, showcasing seasonal, Irish produce, together with an approach that celebrates Ireland’s rich traditions and hospitality.

Finalists:

Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, Limerick

Killeavy Castle Hotel, Down

Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, Kerry

Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, Roscommon

The Glenroyal Hotel, Kildare

The Granville Hotel, Waterford

Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa, Wexford

Dunraven Arms Hotel, Limerick

BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, Wicklow

 

Restaurant of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Restaurant of the Year is a restaurant that consistently delivers exceptional culinary experiences using high-quality Irish ingredients. The Chef’s creativity consistently demonstrates an aptitude for bringing out the integrity of the ingredients. Warmth of hospitality, exceptional service, together with great food that truly makes for a memorable dining experience.

Finalists:

Hang Dai Chinese Restaurant, Dublin

Hugo’s Restaurant, Dublin

Khushee Indian Restaurant, Dublin

Wild Thyme Restaurant, Monaghan

Fishy Fishy, Cork

The Lemon Tree Restaurant, Donegal

Woodruff Restaurant, Dublin

An Port Mor, Mayo

The Church Restaurant, Cork

 

Hotel Restaurant of the Year

The Good Food Ireland® Hotel Restaurant of the Year recognises excellence in hotel dining and honours culinary talent and innovation, showcasing Irish cuisine, sustainability, or regional specialties, considering factors such as food quality, service and ambiance.

Finalists:

The Searooms, Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa, Wexford

Douglas Hyde Restaurant, Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, Roscommon

Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins, Anantara The Marker Dublin

The Seahorse Restaurant, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast

Gullion at Killeavy, Killeavy Castle Hotel, Down

The Grill Restaurant, The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens, Kerry

Snaffles Restaurant, Castle Leslie Estate, Monaghan

 

Café of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Café of the Year clearly demonstrates home-baked, in-house cooking or production with a passionate commitment to Irish produce, good old fashioned Irish hospitality and a go to place for visitors and locals alike.

Finalists:

Farmhouse Cafe & Bakery, Dublin

The Bakery Shack, Donegal

The Silver Restaurant at Newbridge Silverware, Kildare

The Hungry Bear Gorey, Wexford

Sweet N Green, Co Clare

On the Pigs Back Cafe & Deli Douglas, Cork

Cliff View Cafe at Cliffs of Moher, Clare

Kelly’s Kitchen Cafe, Mayo

Kalbo’s, Cork

Heather at The Gap, Kerry

 

Pub of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Pub of the Year is a truly authentic pub, that represents the best of Irish food, culture and tradition, that takes the Irish pub experience to a whole different level of excellence. Showcasing local Irish produce, with a strong consideration for traditional Irish dishes, supplemented by home-baked breads, cakes and desserts. An extensive drinks selection of local Irish brews, spirits, drinks and beverages including Irish fruit cordials and juice, complemented by Irish Snacks and Crisps. A pub where people are immersed in another world of warmth, conversation, laughter and fun. What we Irish call ‘the craic’.

Finalists:

The King’s Head, Galway

The Lifeboat Inn, Cork

The Glyde Inn, Louth

Mikey Ryan’s Bar & Kitchen, Tipperary

Harte’s of Kildare, Kildare

The Strand Cahore, Wexford

Lock 13 Brewpub, Kildare

The Oarsman, Leitrim

Harrigan’s Bar & Grill, Kildare

 

Shop of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Shop of the Year offers a selection of quality Irish food and/or drink, that shares the stories of the people and places behind it. A shop that celebrates Irish biodiversity and creates a better environment for cooking, eating and beyond.

Finalists:

Market House Ennistymon, Clare

Caviston’s Restaurant & Food Emporium, Dublin

Corrigan’s Butchers Drumcondra, Dublin

Urru Culinary Store, Cork

Brogan’s Butchers, Meath

Firecastle, Kildare

Country Choice, Tipperary

 

Food Tourism Experience Award

The Good Food Ireland® Food Tourism Experience Award recognises food and drink producers, hospitality providers, cooking schools, food attractions, farm gate experiences, trails or other food tourism experiences featuring local, Irish produce as the core component of their experience.

Finalists:

Vintage Tea Trips, Dublin

Aran Islands Goats Cheese & Tours, Galway

Burren Smokehouse & Visitor Centre, Co Clare

Realt na Mara Shellfish, Kerry

The Cliff View Cafe at the Cliffs of Moher, Clare

Croagh Patrick Oysters, Mayo

Ballymaloe Cookery School, Organic Farm & Gardens, Cork

Longmeadow Cider, Armagh

 

Sustainability Award

The Good Food Ireland® Sustainability Award recognises businesses that have developed and implemented clean production initiatives and sustainable practices, demonstrating how they are helping to protect Ireland’s environment.

Finalists:

Brook Hall Estate, Derry

Fish City Restaurant, Belfast

Scopers Dundrum, Down

BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, Wicklow

O’Shea Farms, Kilkenny

Atlantis Seafoods, Wexford

Keoghs Farm, Dublin

GROW HQ, Waterford

Realt na Mara, Kerry

 

Food Lovers Choice Awards

The Good Food Ireland® Food Lovers Choice Awards give the public an opportunity to vote for their favourite food and/or drink experience in each of the tourism destinations across the island of Ireland.

 

Wild Atlantic Way

Dublin

Ireland’s Ancient East

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands

Northern Ireland

 

Food Innovator of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Food Innovator of the Year is a person with a unique ability to think outside the box who develops new and innovative food products, concepts or techniques. They are willing to try new ingredients, techniques and flavour combinations, adapting to changing trends and preferences while maintaining their own unique style. They are often at the forefront of culinary trends, creating unique and exciting dining experiences.

Finalists:

JP McMahon, Aniar, Galway

Alastair Bell, Irish Black Butter

Paul Cunningham, Scoper’s Dundrum, Down

Esperanza Hernandez, The Old Roots Winery, Wexford

The O’ Neill Family, Mountain View, Kilkenny

 

Producer of The Year Awards

The Good Food Ireland® Producer of the Year Awards recognise producers for their premium produce and commitment to sourcing local, Irish ingredients, leading the field in their production ethos, cultivation and catch practices and the top-quality produce it results in. We acknowledge producers with a focus on environmental sustainability, preservation and collaboration with the local community.

 

Meat Producer of The Year

Finalists:

Calvey’s Achill Mountain Lamb, Mayo

Kelly’s of Newport, Mayo

Market House Ennistymon, Clare

Tom Durcan Meats, Cork

 

Fruit And Veg Producer of The Year

Finalists:

Keogh’s Farm, Dublin

Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms, Offaly

Kearns Fruit Farm, Wexford

Malone Fruit Farm, Carlow

Mr Jeffares Blackcurrants, Wexford

O’Shea Farms, Kilkenny

The Apple Farm, Tipperary

 

Dairy Producer of The Year

Finalists:

Glastry Farm, Down

Aran Islands Goats Cheese, Galway

Linnalla Ice Cream, Clare

Milleens Cheese, Cork

Boyne Valley Farmhouse Cheese, Meath

Freezin Friesian, Waterford

Killowen Farm, Wexford

O’Shea Farms, Kilkenny

 

Fish & Seafood Producer of The Year

Finalists:

Croagh Patrick Seafoods, Mayo

Burren Smokehouse, Clare

Ummera Smoked Products, Cork

Atlantis Seafoods of Kilmore, Wexford

K O’ Connell English Market, Cork

Realt na Mara, Kerry

Connemara Smokehouse, Galway

Caviston’s Smoked Salmon, Dublin

 

Bakery & Chocolate Producer

Finalists:

Praline Pastry & Chocolate Shop, Cork

Wilde Irish Chocolate, Clare

Barrons Bakery & Coffee House, Waterford

Koko Kinsale, Cork

The Chocolate Garden of Ireland, Carlow

Jinny’s Bakery & Tea Rooms, Leitrim

Ditty’s Bakery, Derry

Chez Emily, Dublin

 

Drinks Producer of The Year

Finalists:

Long Meadow Cider, Armagh

Whitewater Brewery, Down

Wild Atlantic Distillery, Tyrone

Western Herd Brewing, Clare

Rebel City Distillery, Cork

Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, Cork

Hinch Distillery, Down

The Apple Farm, Tipperary

The Old Roots Winery, Wexford

 

Sweet & Savoury Producer of The Year

Finalists:

Crawfords Rock Seaweed Salt, Down

Leahy Beekeeping, Galway

Wild Irish Foragers & Preservers, Offaly

Janet’s Country Fayre, Wicklow

The Carrygerry House Range, Clare

Crossogue Preserves, Tipperary

Harnett’s Oils, Armagh

Achill Island Sea Salt, Mayo

Wexford Home Preserves, Wexford

 

Overall Producer of The Year

The Good Food Ireland® Overall Producer of the Year recognises a food or drink producer who has made a positive impact on the Irish food and/or drink industry, promoting the use of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and demonstrating a strong emphasis on using social media to tell their story and the story of Irish farming and food/drink production to a domestic and global audience.

 

Outstanding Contribution to Food Production

This award honours Ireland’s primary producers for their overall contribution to Irish food, highlighting the importance of farming in Ireland, not just economically, but its generational legacy and cultural contribution to Irish tourism and the wider community.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Good Food Ireland® Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has made a significant and lasting lifelong contribution to the Irish food and/or drink industry, dedicating their careers to supporting local producers, inspiring others and leaving a lasting legacy.

 

Supreme Award of The Year

To be announced