More than 500 guests representing the hospitality industry came together to celebrate the achievements of their friends and colleagues at the 2023 YesChef Awards at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk on Monday 8th May.

Shane Smith, Managing Director of NI Media who run the awards said, “The YesChef Awards are recognised as the ‘Go To’ night in the industry calendar and we were delighted to welcome many old friends as well as numerous new entrants to the programme. The restaurants here tonight represent the diversity of the industry on the island and showcase the commitment to delivering the highest standards in Irish Hospitality. We are the only programme on the island who inspect every entrant and we would like to thank our panel of dedicated researchers who travel the country visiting each venue.

Hotels that were recognised on the night included:

• Young Chef of the Year 2023 Theodoras Vloachos, Waterford Castle
• Front of House Manager of the Year 2023 Tom Murphy, The River Club at The River Lee Hotel
• Front of House Team of the Year 2023 The Metropole
• Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2023 Shannon Springs Hotel
• Irish Culinary Experience of the Year 2023 Marlfield House
• Luxury Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2023 Marlfield House
• Restaurant Interior of the Year 2023 George V, Ashford Castle

Mr Smith continued,” As always young chefs have played a huge role in the event and we would like to thank the students of Coláiste Íde and their chef mentor Derek Flynn, the students of TU Dublin and their Chef Mentor George Smith and Rebecca Franklin, Young Chef of the Year, Munster 2022 and her team from Collins Bar. Together these young people created a fabulous menu which wowed the guests at the event.

The YesChef Awards would not be possible without our sponsors – Flogas, Bunzl McLaughlin, Clearer Water and Green Isle Foods and we would like to thank them for their continued support.”