Irish Restaurant Awards nominations for 2020 are open

The Restaurants Association of Ireland nominations for the 12^th annual Irish Restaurant Awards 2020 are now open.

The public can choose their favourites across 21 categories including Best Restaurant, Best Casual Dining, Best Chef, Best Seafood Experience, Best World Cuisine and more.

The awards recognise the best dining and food experiences across Ireland and shine a light on the restaurants across the country.

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association said; “The aim of the Irish Restaurant Awards is to recognize excellence within the Irish hospitality industry.

“The restaurant industry is the biggest employer within the Irish tourism sector, employing over 74,000 people and these awards are a celebration and acknowledgement of the hard work put in by restaurateurs year round.” he added.

This year, there are 21 categories in which the general public can nominate. These categories are made up of 16 Main award categories and five National award categories.

Main categories are as follows:

• Best Restaurant – Sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants
• Best Chef – Sponsored by BWG Foodservice
• Best Restaurant Manager – Sponsored by AIB MS
• Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant – Sponsored by Frylite
• Best Casual Dining – Sponsored by Just Eat
• Best Gastro Pub – Sponsored by Elavon
• Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Monin
• Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Dolmen Insurance Brokers
• Best Wine Experience – Sponsored by Gilbeys with Bibendum
• Best Emerging Irish Cuisine –
• Best World Cuisine – Sponsored by Stafford Lynch with San Pellegrino
• Best Café – Sponsored by Illy
• Best Kids Size Me –
• Best ‘Free From’ – Sponsored by Peroni Libera
• Local Food Hero – Sponsored by The Irish Times
• Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Jameson

National Categories

• Best Cocktail Experience – Sponsored by Coca Cola HBC
• Best Private Dining & Club Restaurant – Sponsored by Wild Irish Game
• Best Cookery School – Sponsored by Avonmore
• Best Seafood Experience – Sponsored by Musgrave
• Best Digital Marketing –

Nominations can now be made via www.irishtimes.com/irishrestaurantawards from 12 noon, Wednesday 8^th of January until 12 noon, Wednesday 22^nd of January 2020.

Limerick winners in 2019 include Best Restaurant Manager in Munster John Edward Joyce of The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge and Best Cocktail experience The Tack Room in the Adare Manor.