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.
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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
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
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.
