Business/Property, DINING OUT, Entertainment

There Were Kerry Winners At The ‘Food Oscars’ In Dublin Last Night

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Apprentice Chef founders, Mark Doe and Mark Murphy, celebrate receiving the All Ireland Local Food Hero award at the Irish Restaurant Awards with members of the Apprentice Chef team. John Murray (judge), Mark Doe (founder), Susie Cox (nutritional therapist), Louise Brosnan (mentor), Mark Murphy (founder)

THERE were Kerry winners at at the Irish Restaurant Awards which were held in Dublin last night.

The Apprentice Chef Programme, founded by IT Tralee lecturer Mark Murphy and Firies-based chef Mark Doe, was awarded the All Ireland Local Food Hero title, the Park Hotel Kenmare won Best Hotel and Guesthouse in Ireland while Munster awards went to Murphy’s Bar in Brandon and Maison Gourmet in Kenmare.

Known in the industry as the #FoodOscars, Mark Doe from Just Cooking Cookery School in Firies and IT Tralee Culinary Arts lecturer, Mark Murphy, who founded the programme together, attended a gala ball in Dublin on Monday night with over 1000 guests and were overjoyed to receive the accolade.

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The duo started the initiative in 2012 in order to encourage young people to consider a career in the culinary industry and promote healthy eating.

Just last Thursday, the 2017/2018 final was held in IT Tralee and students travelled from as far as Dublin to compete, but it was Killarney student Natalia Leane who was named the Supreme Apprentice Chef.

Other Kerry winners on the night were the Park Hotel Kenmare winning Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant in Ireland; Maison Gourmet in Kenmare winning Best Café (Munster) and Murphy’s Bar Brandon winning Best Pub (Munster).