Danni Barry from Deanes Eipic, Belfast, is named FOOD&WINE Magazine Chef of the Year 2016 Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud takes the title of FOOD&WINE Magazine Restaurant of the Year 2016.
The winners of the prestigious FOOD&WINE Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards in association with Nespresso Business Solutions were announced at a gala luncheon in The InterContinental, Dublin today (28 August). Over 50 awards were given to top chefs and restaurateurs from across the country, hosted by CEO of Harmonia, Ciaran Casey and comedian Barry Murphy. Guests were treated to a five-course meal alongside perfectly matched wines courtesy of wine distributors Febvre & Co.
Ireland’s only female Michelin-starred chef, Danni Barry of Deanes Eipic in Belfast, took the top award – Overall Chef of the Year – beating off stiff competition in the category and adding to the many accolades that Danni has achieved in the short time that Eipic has been established.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud – one of Ireland’s most well established fine-dining restaurants – was named FOOD&WINE Magazine Restaurant of the Year, firmly cementing the award-winning Michelin star restaurant’s position at the forefront of the culinary scene.
Over fifty awards were given to top chefs and restaurateurs from across the country, hosted by CEO of Harmonia, Ciaran Casey and comedian Barry Murphy. Guests were treated to a five-course meal, featuring Silver Hill Farm duck as the main course alongside perfectly matched wines courtesy of Febvre wines.
Chef JP McMahon of Aniar, Galway, was inducted into the FOOD&WINE Magazine Hall of Fame. A self-taught chef, JP is one of Ireland’s strongest voices in the restaurant industry, continually innovating and promoting not only the Galwegian dining scene but Irish food in general on a worldwide stage.
Other big winners on the day included Forest Avenue, Dublin; 1826 Adare, Limerick; Pickle, Dublin; Greenes Restaurant, Cork; Ox, Belfast; Kai, Galway; Viewmount House, Longdford; Marlfield House, Wexford; and Lady Helen, Mount Juliet, Kilkenny.
The Entrepreneur Award went to Michael Deane for his contribution to Northern Ireland’s restaurant landscape. As chef and proprietor of a host of eateries under the Deanes brand, including Deanes Eipic, he continues to offer new and exciting dining experiences in Belfast.
“The thriving restaurant scene in Ireland continues to impress our judging panel – the standard of excellence across the country, among both well established and young restaurants, made the judging process a tough one, and all of those shortlisted should be congratulated,” commented Miriam Atkins, editor of FOOD&WINE Magazine.
Gordon Thompson, commercial director, Nespresso Business Solutions said,”This is Nespresso’s second year of sponsorship of the FOOD&WINE Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards. The awards are a prestigious platform that gives recognition to those dedicated to pursing excellence and innovation, values Nespresso shares. We are delighted to continue our support of the FOOD&WINE Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards and congratulate this year’s winners and wish them every success.”
Now in its 16th year, The FOOD&WINE Magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards in association with Nespresso Business Solutions, are considered the most prestigious and authoritative culinary awards in the Irish calendar. Recognising the best Irish restaurants and culinary talent, diners from all over Ireland were invited to nominate their favourite restaurants and chefs, with the top entries going forward for deliberation by a national culinary panel of judges, made up of industry experts and national food critics.