TASTE OF ULSTER/ FOOD NI MEMBERS WIN BIG AT RAI REGIONAL FINALS
There were awards aplenty at the Irish Restaurant Association’s Ulster Regional ceremony. It took place at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan on Tuesday 1st April, 2025.
Wine and Brine continued its winning streak by being named Best Restaurant in Armagh. It also won Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine in that county. Aaron McNeice of Waterman House was awarded Best Chef in Antrim. Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant in Tyrone went to The Carleton Restaurant at the Corick
House Hotel. The Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Resort took that accolade for Fermanagh while the County Down winner was Newforge House. The Catalina also won Best Wine Experience for Fermanagh.
The Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant in Derry-Londonderry award was given to Ardtara. The Armagh winner of that category was Killeavy Castle while the Bushmills Inn took the prize for Antrim.
The Tailor’s House was given the Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine Award for Tyrone. No 14 at the Georgian House won that category for Down. The Muddlers Club won the Antrim category. The Tailor’s House was also named Innovator of the Year in Tyrone. The Seagoe Hotel won that award for Armagh, and also won Best Use of Social Media.
Simon Boyd from Corick House Hotel won the Employee Excellence Award for Tyrone. Liam McKenna from the Armagh City Hotel took the Employee Excellence Award for the Orchard County. Armagh City Hotel also won Best Customer Service in the county. The Dairy won Best Customer Service for Antrim.
The Best Gastro Pub in Down was awarded to The Poachers Pocket. Best Gastro Pub in Fermanagh is The Dog and Duck Inn. Best Sustainable Practices in Armagh was won by Gullion at Killeavy Castle.
Joe McGirr from The Boatyard Distillery was named Fermanagh Local Food Hero of the Year. Johnny McDowell from Indie Fude won that award for Down as did Simon Dougan for Armagh.
Congratulations to all our members.
The All-Ireland winners will be announced at an event in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin
on May 19 th , 2025.
