Award winning restaurants in Donegal will be attending the All-Ireland Restaurant Awards, in association with The Irish Times on May 25, in the DoubleTree by Hilton Dublin (Formerly the Burlington). The Ulster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the Titanic Belfast on April 7.
Each county winner will go forward to the All-Ireland finals where they will each receive a mystery guest inspection. They will be assessed on their menu, customer service, and the overall dining experience from the moment the booking is made until the customer receives the bill.
Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association said: "Interest in the Irish Restaurant Awards has grown year on year, and as our awards are the only in Ireland to have a mystery judge element, we can really stand over the entire process. The awards are a celebration in the best of Irish cuisine and recognise the hard work that restaurateurs put in all year round.
"Restaurateurs are entrepreneurs, and to give them something back for their contribution to the hospitality industry is important. The restaurant industry is the biggest employer within the Irish tourism sector, employing over 74,000 people. They should be proud of that and celebrate their hard work."
The winners from Donegal from the Ulster Regional Final are;
Best Restaurant – Sponsored by Dalcassian and Wakefield Wines - Harry's Restaurant, Bridgend
Best Chef – Sponsored by La Rousse Foods - Derek Creagh of Harry's Restaurant, Bridgend
Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Bunzl McLaughlin - The Village Tavern, Mountcharles
Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Total Produce - Browns on the Green, Letterkenny
Best Hotel Restaurant - Lakeside Restaurant at Harvey's Point, Donegal Town
Best Customer Service - Sponsored by TheTaste.ie - Castle Murray House Hotel and Restaurant, Dunkineely
Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Classic Drinks and Massottina - Lakeside Restaurant at Harvey's Point, Donegal Town
Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Elavon - The Hatter Tea Room, Stranorlar