YesChef magazine announces 2020 award winners

The YesChef award winners for 2020 have been announced.

Last night the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo played host to over 500 hopefuls as one of the last industry award nights of the year took place.

It’s the seventh year of the awards and the big ones for 2020 are going to Cork, Donegal and Carlingford.

Greenes in Cork was named Restaurant of the Year, Harvey’s Point in Donegal saw Chris McMenamin named Chef of the Year while the Young Chef title went to Ciaran Smyth of Ghan House in Carlingford.

Closer to home for me and with an eye on matters Kilkenny, there were wins on the night for Paris Texas (Best World Food, Leinster), Ristorante Rinuccini (Best Italian Restaurant, Leinster), Butcher (Best Newcomer, Leinster) and hat-trick of awards for Zuni including Best Casual Dining (overall), Best Chef (Leinster) and Best Front of House (Leinster).

Here’s the full list of winners.

YesChef Award Winners 2020

Chef of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Kevin Stirzaker, Dining Room, Castlebar
• Leinster: Michael Thomas, Zuni, Kilkenny
• Munster: Gorka Arietta, Sol y Sombra, Killorglin
• Ulster: Chris McMenamin, Harvey’s Point, Donegal
• Overall: Chris McMenamin

Young Chef of the Year 2020

• Leinster: Ciaran Smyth, Ghan House
• Munster: Chloe Duggan, Collins Bar
• Ulster: Ben Grimes, Mourne Country Hotel
• Overall: Ciaran Smyth, Ghan House

World Food Restaurant of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Miso Sligo
• Leinster: Paris Texas, Kilkenny
• Munster: Sua Basque Fusion, Kerry
• Ulster: Tuk Tuk Asian Bistro, Newtownards
• Overall: Sua Basque Fusion

Italian Restaurant of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Venice, Galway
• Leinster: Ristorante Rinuccini, Kilkenny
• Ulster: Castello Italia, Carrickfergus
• Overall: Castello Italia, Carrickfergus

Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Eithna’s by the Sea, Sligo
• Leinster: La Côte, Wexford
• Munster: Smuggler’s Inn, Waterville
• Ulster: Quay West, Donegal
• Overall: La Côte, Wexford

Super delighted to receive this tonight at the #YesChefAwards2020 pic.twitter.com/BD316jSWHU

— Jo Daly (@josieannadaly) October 15, 2019

Newcomer of the Year 2020

• Leinster: Butcher, Kilkenny
• Munster: Oar Restaurant, Doolin, Co. Clare
• Ulster: Villa, Portstweart
• Overall: Oar Restaurant

Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Dining Room, Castlebar
• Leinster: Zuni, Kilkenny
• Munster: Solas Tapas & Wine Bar, Dingle
• Ulster: The Smuggler’s Table, Downpatrick
• Overall: Zuni

Café of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Kelly’s Kitchen, Newport, Co. Mayo
• Leinster: The Cracked Teapot, New Ross
• Munster: Copia Green, Castletroy, Co. Limerick
• Ulster: Hillstown Farm Shop & Cafe, Randalstown
• Winner: Copia Green

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2020

• Connacht: George V, Ashford Castle
• Leinster: Brabazon Restaurant, Tankardstown House
• Munster: Greenes Restaurant, Cork
• Ulster: Brunel’s Restaurant
• Overall: Greenes Restaurant

Front of House Team of the Year 2020

• Connacht: George V, Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
• Leinster: Zuni, Kilkenny
• Munster: The River Lee Hotel, Cork
• Ulster: Me & Mrs Jones, Portstewart
• Overall: George V, Ashford Castle

Afternoon Tea of the Year 2020

• Connacht: The Ice House, Ballina
• Leinster: Button & Spoon, Wexford
• Munster: The River Lee Hotel, Cork
• Ulster: Leighinmohr House Hotel, Ballymena
• Overall: Button & Spoon, Wexford

Golf Club Restaurant of the Year 2020

• Leinster: Kilkea Castle, Castledermot
• Munster: 1889 Bar & Restaurant, Waterville Golf Links
• Ulster: Dungannon Golf Club
• Overall: 1889 Bar & Restaurant, Waterville Golf Links

Delighted to hear that the @IceHouseMayo, @museed, @GhanHouse and @Tankardstown, were all winners at the @YesChef_IRL Awards. #YesChefAwards2020 pic.twitter.com/ShuxQIZ0ZS

— Ireland's Blue Book (@IrelandBlueBook) October 16, 2019

Country House Hotel of the Year 2020

• Leinster: Ghan House, Carlingford
• Munster: The Mustard Seed, Ballingarry
• Ulster: Red Door Country House, Inishowen
• Overall: The Mustard Seed

Street Food of the Year 2020

• Connacht: Boxty’s, Galway
• Leinster: Once Upon A Thai, Trim
• Ulster: Johnny’s Ranch, Ramelton, Donegal
• Overall: Johnny’s Ranch, Ramelton, Donegal

Gastro Pub of the Year 2020

• Connacht: The Tavern, Westport
• Leinster: Johnny Fox’s, Glencullen
• Munster: Kieran’s Kitchen, Lisdoonvarna
• Ulster: Sweet Afton, Belfast
• Overall: Sweet Afton

Hotel Restaurant of the Year

• Connacht: The Kitchen Restaurant, The Glasshouse
• Munster: Bellini’s, Maryborough Hotel & Spa
• Ulster: Turntable Restaurant, Tara Hotel
• Overall: The Kitchen Restaurant, The Glasshouse

YesChef Sustainability Award2020

• Connacht: House of Plates, Castlebar
• Munster: Croí, Tralee
• Ulster: Brunel’s, Newcastle
• Overall: Croí

Overall Awards

• Castle Dining Restaurant of the Year 2020: Snaffles Restaurant, Castle Leslie Estate
• Indian Restaurant of the Year 2020: Chandpur, Donegal
• Restaurant of the Year 2020: Greenes Restaurant, Cork
• The Judges Award 2020: Birgitta Hedin Curtin, Burren Smokehouse
• Irish Culinary Experience 2020: Dining Room, Castlebar
• Rising Star Award 2020: No. Three Old Bar & Restaurant, Collon
• Irish Traditional Gastro Pub Award 2020: Paddy Coynes, Renvyle

Check YesChef.ie for photos and more details.