The winners of the 2023 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards have been announced, with Laois taking two huge prizes.
Among the winners at the awards were Ballyfin Demesne and Bramley Abbeyleix.
The awards are presented by Georgina Campbell Guides – Ireland’s leading independent hospitality guide and cookbook publishers.
Now in its 25th year, the awards aim to honour Ireland’s standard-bearers in food and hospitality.
It is quite the feather in the cap for County Laois to have two winners on this prestigious list.
The picturesque Ballyfin Demesne was named the best 5-star Hotel in Ireland, with Georgina Campbell fawning over the Laois landmark.
“Everything about the 614-acre estate is stunning”, Ms Campbell said.
“Including the eight acres of walled garden that supply executive chef Richard Picard-Edwards’s kitchen, along with wild foods from the estate and produce from trusted suppliers including Mountrath butcher Michael Keegan.”
The hotel is renowned for using hyper-local ingredients, including fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs from their magnificent garden, as well as producing their own eggs and honey.
Chef Picard-Edwards is a Michelin-starred chef who joined Ballyfin Demesne earlier this year from the Mandarin Oriental Bittescombe Lodge and Deer Park, in Somerset, England.
He replaced long-serving Head Chef, Sam Moody, himself a Michelin star recipient.
Having left Ballyfin, Chef Moody realised his dream of opening his own restaurant, and did here in Laois with the gorgeous Bramley Abbeyleix.
Only opened this summer, Bramley was recognised at the awards as Ireland’s Newcomer of the year.
Speaking with LaoisToday, Chef Moody expressed his pride and gratitude in scooping the award.
“I’m delighted to see our team’s hard work has been recognised by such a wonderful guild as Georgina Campbell.
“The support for our little restaurant, both locally and nationally, has been truly humbling.”
Across the border, in Naas, Co Kildare, acclaimed foodie destination, Neighbourhood was named Best Restaurant in Ireland.
Since opening in 2022, Neighbourhood has drawn rave reviews.
“Chef Naughton has a lovely lightness of touch in all his cooking”, Ms Campbell said.
“Every dish is beautifully constructed and cooked, and there is simultaneously a complexity and simplicity that raises them to a new level without affectation – clearly pleasing guests, who not only relish the finesse and flavour of the cooking and the warmly welcoming experience.”
Other notable winners include:
- Chef of the Year – Angel Pirev, The Mustard Seed, Co Limerick
- Pub of the Year – The Parson’s Nose, Hillsborough Co Down
- Wine Experience – Burren Fine Wine & Food, Co Clare
- Sustainability Award – The Salthouse, Ballycastle, Co Antrim
- Family-friendly Hotel – Ocean Sands Hotel, Co Sligo
- Pet-friendly Destination – Cashel House Hotel, Co Galway
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