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Paul Cotter, Kevin O’Connor and Noel Keane of Croí in the Square. Photo by Dermot Crean
THERE were two local winners at the regional finals in this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards which took place in the Radisson Blu, Little Island, Cork, last night.
Croí Restaurant in The Square won Best Kerry Newcomer while Jim McGrath of The Oyster Tavern in the Spa won Best Restaurant Manager in Kerry at the Munster event where 91 awards were given to businesses in the six counties.
Jim McGrath.
There were 15 awards presented to Kerry chefs, restaurants and pubs in the various categories with over 500 people attending on Wednesday evening.
A special Munster’s Local Food Hero award which was given to Mark Doe of Just Cooking in Firies and IT Tralee lecturer Mark Murphy for their Apprentice Chef programme.
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Other Kerry winners included Best Restaurant for Mulcahy’s in Kenmare, McMunn’s in Ballybunion for Best Gastro Pub and Nora Murphy’s Pub Brandon Pier for Pub Of The Year.
The full list of Kerry Winners are as follows:
• Best Casual Dining sponsored by San Pellegrino – O’Neills The Point
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine sponsored by Odaios Foods – Global Village
• Best Kids Size Me sponsored by Dubliner Cheese – The Boathouse
• Best ‘Free From’ sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free – Bookstop Café
• Best World Cuisine sponsored by Aryzta – Giovannelli
• Best Restaurant Manager sponsored by AIB Merchant Services – Jim McGrath of The Oyster Tavern
• Best Wine Experience sponsored by Classic Drinks – Sol y Sombra Tapas Bar & Restaurant
• Pub of the Year sponsored by Bushmills – Nora Murphy’s Pub Brandon Pier
• Best Café sponsored by Illy – Maison Gourmet
• Best Customer Service – Giovannelli
• Best Gastro Pub sponsored by Coca Cola & Schweppes – McMunns Bar
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant sponsored by BWG Foodservice – Park Hotel Kenmare
• Best Newcomer sponsored by Elavon – Croí Restaurant
• Best Chef sponsored by Nisbets – Chad Byrne of Danu at The Brehon
• Best Restaurant sponsored by Tindal Wines – Mulcahys
Very well deserved. Never disappointing.