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
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 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
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
