Picture caption: L to R: Representing a cross-section of Ireland’s trusted food ecosystem, producers, chefs, hoteliers and supporters, pictured left to right are: Birgitta Curtin, Owner and Master Smoker, Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre; Good Food Ireland® Founder, Margaret Jeffares and sponsor, John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Director, FBD Insurance and Ed Cooney, Executive Chef, The Merrion Hotel; at the official launch of the Good Food Ireland Awards® 2025 which took place at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.

ANNOUNCING THE 2025 GOOD FOOD IRELAND® AWARDS

“Rooted in Taste. Backed by Trust”

The Good Food Ireland® Awards 2025 shine a spotlight on the passionate people and businesses behind Ireland’s food culture, celebrating a shared commitment to local ingredients, authentic flavours and trusted quality.

The Good Food Ireland® Awards 2025 in association with FBD Insurance, were officially launched this week at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin, winner of the 2024 Five-Star Hotel of the Year, where it was announced that the highly anticipated Food Lovers’ Choice Award category is now open for applications and public nominations. The gala awards ceremony will be held at the prestigious Host Partner venue, The K Club in Co Kildare on Monday, November 10th, 2025.

Created to recognise excellence in local sourcing, authenticity and sustainability across Ireland’s food and drink landscape, the launch of the Good Food Ireland® Awards brought together Ed Cooney, Executive Chef at The Merrion Hotel and Birgitta Curtin, Owner and Master Smoker of Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre. They were joined by Good Food Ireland® Founder Margaret Jeffares and official sponsor John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Director at FBD Insurance, to mark the occasion.

The Good Food Ireland® Awards are the only all-island, cross-sector awards that exclusively celebrate those who uphold Ireland’s culinary excellence, champion local provenance and honour sustainable practices.

Commenting on the awards, Founder of Good Food Ireland®, Margaret Jeffares, said: “Our awards shine a light on the individuals and businesses that make Ireland’s food culture world-class, while driving real economic impact across rural communities, North and South. It’s so important to recognise the entire Irish food ecosystem, from artisan producers and regenerative farmers to chefs and tourism destinations, as it’s their passion for Irish produce and exceptional experiences that make Ireland a world-class destination for food tourism.”

Reflecting on the importance of the awards and the recognition for The Merrion Hotel in 2024, Ed Cooney, Executive Chef, The Merrion Hotel, adds: “At The Merrion, we believe that true luxury is rooted in provenance. Winning the Five-Star Hotel of the Year award was a proud moment for our entire team and a testament to our commitment to Irish produce, seasonal menus and warm hospitality.”

As one of Ireland’s foremost food producers, using Irish organic salmon, trout, mackerel and eel since 1989, Birgitta Curtin, Owner & Master Smoker, Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre, comments: “Winning Best Food Tourism Experience in 2024 meant the world to us. We’ve always believed that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect people to place. That connection is at the heart of everything we do at Burren Smokehouse and it’s what makes the Good Food Ireland® Awards so special.”

FBD Insurance has been supporting Farming, Food and Hospitality businesses across Ireland for over 50 years. In that time FBD has been an active and trusted partner to Ireland’s Food and Agri industry, aligning with relevant bodies and helping champion and invest in initiatives that develop and grow the sector and those within it. FBD are continuing that commitment with the partnership with Good Food Ireland as Title Sponsor of 2025 Awards for the third year running.

John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Insurance adds: “The Good Food Ireland® Awards recognise those who play a vital role in the entire food journey, from field to fork and we share Good Food Ireland®’s passion in celebrating Ireland’s food, drink and farming champions. This is our third consecutive year of supporting the awards and as the largest Irish-owned insurer that has been supporting Irish communities, farmers and businesses for over five decades, we have a shared ambition in shining a light on the exceptional food and drink businesses that make Ireland the world-class food destination that it is today.”

Other key sponsors include AIB, Wine Consultants Ireland and Tourism Ireland, among others, who join in supporting the celebration of excellence across Ireland’s vibrant food and tourism sectors.

The Food Lovers’ Choice Award gives the public a voice to spotlight their favourite food or drink experience across the island. Other award categories include:

• Producer of the Year
• Sustainability Award
• Pub of the Year
• Hotel of the Year
• Outstanding Contribution to Food Production
• Excellence in Food Tourism Award

Applications for submission to Food Lovers Choice awards 2025

For more information on the Good Food Ireland® Awards, online entry, updates on individual awards, event tickets and general information about Good Food Ireland®, visit: goodfoodireland.ie

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Tara Hamill, RNN Communications, [email protected]
Margaret Jeffares, [email protected] / Tel: +353 53 9158693

About Good Food Ireland® – Notes to Editors

Good Food Ireland® is the trusted all-island food and tourism brand that helps consumers discover the very best of Irish food, drink and hospitality. Good Food Ireland® connects people with truly authentic Irish experiences – from enjoying locally sourced meals in top restaurants to discovering artisan food products, farm visits, and cookery classes. Every business in its Collection is independently approved and selected for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and using Irish ingredients. Whether you’re booking a food tour, planning a gourmet getaway, or shopping for premium artisan foods, Good Food Ireland® brings the real taste of Ireland directly to you.

Good Food Ireland® has a curated online Food Hall which allows customers to shop directly from Irish producers – offering artisan products, gourmet gift boxes, and unique food-inspired travel experiences, all in one place.

Good Food Ireland® celebrates Ireland’s vibrant food culture, with a strong focus on seasonal produce, local ingredients, and responsible sourcing – making it easier for consumers to enjoy Ireland’s best food and drink, wherever they are.

Good Food Ireland® is a trustmark for authentic Irish food and drink experiences of the island of Ireland. Since its establishment in 2006,

Good Food Ireland® has played a multi-faceted role in promoting sustainable rural development by supporting local producers, encouraging sustainable practices, enhancing tourism, preserving culinary heritage, and building community engagement. These efforts have helped to contribute to the economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and cultural richness of rural Ireland.

The Good Food Ireland® core emphasis of using local, fresh, seasonal Irish ingredients, encourages tourism-hospitality and retail businesses to prioritise local produce and visitors as well as ourselves here at home to seek it out, hence supporting Irish farmers, food producers and fishermen and sustainably strengthening local economies and communities.

Through its promotion of local producers, Good Food Ireland® also helps maintain traditional agricultural practices, preserving the heritage and biodiversity of Irish farming.

About the Awards:

All businesses approved by Good Food Ireland®, subject to meeting strict criteria through onsite inspection, are eligible for the awards. The Food Lovers Choice Award is open to application or nomination for all businesses across the island who align with the Good Food Ireland® values.

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 and announced at a Gala Ceremony on November 10th in The K Club.

The public will also have an opportunity to vote online from a shortlist of finalists, for their favourite foodie business, be it a restaurant, pub or café, a hotel or country house, a local food shop or a favourite food or drink producer, in each of the tourism regions across the country and Northern Ireland.

Applications for submission to Food Lovers Choice awards 2025