Over 500 guests representing the hospitality industry came together to celebrate the achievements of their friends and colleagues at the 2024 YesChef Awards at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk this week.

Shane Smith, Managing Director of NI Media who run the awards said, “We take pride in our programme and every year each and every restaurant is inspected by culinary experts. There are no free passes, our inspectors conduct a detailed inspection from the first contact right through to the food delivered. I always underline the fact that the team of inspectors are of the highest standard. We only accept professionals and this expertise is replicated in our senior panel headed up by our charman Eoin McDonnell, former president of the Panel of Chefs.”

Hotels that were recognised on the night included:

• Chef of the Year Jenny Flynn, Faithlegg
• Pastry Chef of the Year Andrew Ryan, Ashford Castle
• Front of House Team of the Year 2024 The Old Lodge Gastro Pub, Shannon Springs Hotel
• Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2024 Marbles Restaurant, Shandon Hotel & Spa
• Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2024 and Outdoor Dining Space of the Year 2024 Earth & Vine, Castleknock Hotel
• Irish Culinary Experience of the Year 2024 The Munster Room Restaurant, Waterford Castle
• Luxury Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2024 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 Theodoras Vloachos, Young Chef of the Year, 2023 and his team from Waterford Castle. Together these young people created a fabulous menu which wowed the guests at the event.”

Mr Smith also paid a special tribute to the late Joe Shannon, the Executive Head Chef of the Radisson Blu, Sligo who he recognised as a “culinary hero” a “fantastic friend” and “mentor to many”.

---

IHF Member Hotels & Guesthouses and tourism industry partners can submit news stories for inclusion by emailing us at hotelnews@ihf.ie