A top selection of Donegal restaurants and food businesses are celebrating being named as finalists in the Food Awards Ireland.
Following a tremendous number of nominations received from the public, the second annual event recognises the hard work and efforts of the Irish food industry.
Accolades will be presented to the best restaurants, takeaways, pubs, hotel restaurants, cafes, and bistros, as well as shine the spotlight on the wonderful local producers who supply their delicious ingredients.
Which Donegal eateries are among the crème de la crème of Ireland’s best? Here are the local finalists:
Restaurant of the Year (Borders)
The Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh Restaurant (Donegal Town)
Blas (Donegal Town)
Chandpur Indian Restaurant (Donegal Town)
The Harbour Restaurant (Donegal Town)
Austies Bar & Restaurant (Rosses Point)
Cafe/Bistro of the Year (Borders)
Glenveagh Castle Tearooms (Letterkenny)
Mac’s Deli (Letterkenny)
Nancy’s Barn (Ballyliffin)
Belles Kitchen (Rathmullan)
Honeypot Coffee House (Letterkenny)
Gastro Pub of the Year (Borders)
The Drift Inn (Buncrana)
Caterer of the Year (Borders)
Crest Catering Company (Letterkenny)
Mac’s Deli (Letterkenny)
Best Indian Establishment
Chandpur Indian Restaurant (Donegal Town)
Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Harvey’s Point Hotel (Donegal Town)
Chef of the Year
Chandpur Indian Restaurant (Donegal)
Rana and Susan Miah of Chandpur – Food Awards Ireland 2016
Chandpur in Donegal Town, earning three spots on the 2017 shortlist, are hoping to take home another prize to add to their many accolades in the industry. Chandpur took home the regional Restaurant of the Year award in 2016 and are hoping to do it again.
Susan Miah of Chandpur told Donegal Daily: “We are mega mega proud because we are the only Indian and Rana in the only chef on the list from Donegal. In the Restaurant of the Year Borders 4 out of the 6 finalists are restaurants from Donegal Town which is amazing for our wee town.”
The Food Awards Ireland promise to be one of the biggest and most memorable events in the food industry calendar this year with a range of accolades to be presented to the most deserving professionals and establishments in the field.
The black tie event will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin on Monday the 13th of November, when the crème de la crème of the Irish food industry will come together for a glamorous night to celebrate the success of professionals and businesses in the sector.
Irfan Younis, CEO of event organisers Creative Oceanic, said: “The tremendous amount of nominations received from the Irish public is a testament to the hard work of all those working within the food sector.
“With fierce competition this year, we are looking forward to welcoming those who provide and supply us with gastronomic delights. Last year’s winners were great ambassadors and I am confident this year’s finalists and winners will follow in their footsteps. We would like to wish all the finalists the best of luck.”
