A host of local businesses were celebrated at last night’s Irish Restaurant Awards’ Leinster final.
Each of our Michelin starring eateries picked up prizes, including two for the Lady Helen at Mount Juliet, with the Step House Hotel in Borris, Mimosa in Carlow town and Aran in Kilkenny city also picking up in multiple categories.
While local heroes were declared as Tracie Daly in Kilkenny and Tracy Corcoran for Carlow.
Winners move onto the All Ireland final on the 19th of May in the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Full local list
Carlow
Best Restaurant: Clashganny House
Best Chef: Henry Stone, Sha-Roe Bistro, Clonegal
Best Restaurant Manager: Michal Kostra, Mimosa, Carlow town
Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel, Borris
Best Use of Social Media: Birdcage Cafe, Bagenalstown
Employee Excellence: Kelly Mernagh, New Moon Tullow
Best Casual Dining: Arboretum, Leighlinbridge
Best Gastro Pub: Teach Dolmain, Carlow town
Best Café: Goodly Barrow, Goresbridge
Best World Cuisine: Baht, Carlow town
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel, Borris
Best Newcomer: Brasserie 15, Carlow town
Pub of the Year: Corcoran’s
Best Wine Experience: Mimosa, Carlow town
Best Customer Service: Mullichain Cafe, St Mullins
Best Sustainable Practices: Coppenagh House Farm
Innovator of the Year: Waterlilies Tullow
Local Food Hero: Tracy Corcoran, Green Lemon, Rathvilly
Kilkenny
Best Restaurant: Campagne, Kilkenny city
Best Chef: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
Best Restaurant Manager: Shane Rice, Zuni, Kilkenny city
Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
Best Use of Social Media: Cafe La Coco, Kilkenny city
Employee Excellence: Anita Massey, The Grill Restaurant at Lyrath Estate
Best Casual Dining: Noinin, Kilkenny city
Best Gastro Pub: Langton’s Bar & Restaurant, Kilkenny city
Best Café: Knockdrinna, Stoneyford
Best World Cuisine: Tabú, Thomastown
Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Arán Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny city
Best Newcomer: Dizzy Goat, Skough
Pub of the Year: Malzard’s, Stoneyford
Best Wine Experience: Ristorante Rinuccini, Kilkenny city
Best Customer Service: Butcher, Kilkenny city
Best Sustainable Practices: The Greenhouse at Mountain View, Ballyhale
Innovator of the Year: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny city
Local Food Hero: Tracie Daly