Joy for host of Carlow and Kilkenny food outlets

A host of local food outlets and champions are celebrating wins at the Irish Restaurant Awards’ Leinster event.

County winners in a range of categories were announced at last night’s occasion held at the Killashee Hotel in county Kildare.

Breakdown of wins from our two counties:

• Local Food Hero
  Carlow John Whelan, The Devil’s Menu
  Kilkenny Seán Ring, Ring’s Farm
• Innovator of the Year
  Carlow Green Lemon Cafe & Bakery
  Kilkenny Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
• Best Sustainable Practices
  Carlow Green Lemon Cafe & Bakery
  Kilkenny Statham’s by Pembroke
• Best Cafe
  Carlow Rachel’s Garden Cafe at Arboretum, Leighlinbridge
  Kilkenny Knockdrinna Cafe, Stoneyford
• Best Customer Service
  Carlow Lennons at Visual
  Kilkenny Tabú, Thomastown
• Best Wine Experience
  Carlow The Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge
  Kilkenny Ristorante Rinuccini
• Pub of the Year
  Carlow Tully’s Bar
  Kilkenny The Dylan Whiskey Bar
• Best Newcomer
  Carlow Brew Stop Cafe
  Kilkenny Wildflower Tearooms
• Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine
  Carlow The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel, Borris
  Kilkenny Dizzy Goat Restaurant
• Best Gastro Pub
  Carlow Conway’s Bar & Restaurant
  Kilkenny Left Bank
• Best World Cuisine
  Carlow Pimento
  Kilkenny Tabú, Thomastown
• Best Casual Dining
  Carlow Waterlillies Cafe, Tullow Street, Carlow
  Kilkenny Arán Bakery & Bistro
• Best Use of Social Media
  Carlow Mullichain Cafe, St Mullins
  Kilkenny Arán Bakery & Bistro
• Employee Excellence Award
  Carlow Courtney Burke, The Goodly Barrow, Goresbridge
  Kilkenny Agnieszka Mokrzycka, Cafe la Coco
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant
  Carlow The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel, Borris
  Kilkenny The Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown
• Best Restaurant Manager
  Carlow Maya Dzianach, Pimento
  Kilkenny Paul Byrne, Zuni Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
• Best Chef
  Carlow Alan Foley, The Cellar Restaurant at The Step House Hotel, Borris
  Kilkenny John Kelly, The Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown
• Best Restaurant
  Carlow Sha Roe Bistro, Clonegal
  Kilkenny Campagne