Nominations for the #FoodOscars are now open to the public via https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/restaurant-awards-ireland

Nominations can now be made via https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/restaurant-awards-ireland from 12 noon, Thursday 12th January until 12 noon, Thursday 26th 2023.

We are delighted to announce that the Irish Restaurant Awards is back and launched today at 12pm in Locks Restaurant, Dublin 8. This is the 14th year of the Awards and we look forward to celebrating the best of Irish Hospitality in 2023.

As with previous years the Irish Restaurant Awards process begins with an online public vote hosted via the Irish Times. This is followed by the judging process of National Experts, followed by Regional Events in the four provinces at which County Winners will be announced, a Dublin Shortlist and culminating in the All-Ireland Irish Restaurant Final.

Paul Lenehan, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland commented at the Launch today; “The aim of the Irish Restaurant Awards is to recognize excellence within the Irish hospitality industry. These awards are a celebration and acknowledgement of the hard work put in by restaurateurs and hospitality businesses and their talented staff year-round. Our Awards seek to highlight the overall high standards, passion & innovation present within Ireland’s food scene to ultimately celebrate the best of hospitality throughout the Island of Ireland”.

This year, there are 21 categories in which the general public can nominate. These categories are made up of 17 Main Award categories and 4 National Award categories and there are 2 brand-new award categories this year– Innovator of the Year and Learning & Development . Full list of Awards Categories.

Judging Process – County Winner Selection

This year there are two stages to the Irish Restaurant Awards Judging

Stage 1: Choosing county/provincial winners

Once the online nominations (worth 20%) are closed, they are independently audited by BDO and then passed on to our regional judging panels. The nominees are reviewed by the judges (worth 80%).

The county and provincial winners are then announced at the Regional Awards in March. Dublin nominees are shortlisted at this stage and will be announced separately.

Stage 2: National Academy Judging

The final stage sees selected judges from the regional panels join together to form the National Academy. They will review each finalist, and they will also review the National Category nominees and decide the overall winners*.

The overall winners in all categories will then be announced at the highly anticipated Irish Restaurant Awards Final in May 2023.

*Prior to this stage, the following categories will receive a mystery guest inspection, the result of which will be considered during the National Academy Judging: Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Hotel Restaurant & Best Gastro Pub.

Regional Awards Events & All Ireland Awards Gala

County winners will be announced at our Regional Awards Events throughout the month of March. Full Regional Awards event details will be announced following the close of nominations and will also be listed on our website with ticketing information.

Regional and All Ireland Winners are then revealed at the All Ireland Awards Gala Dinner on Monday, 15th May in the Clayton on Burlington Road, Dublin 4. Full Ticket and Event information will be released in April following Regional Events.

Notes for Editor

More information on the 2023 Irish Restaurant Awards here

Sponsors of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2023 here

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

Website: www.irishrestaurantawards.com

Twitter: @restawards #FoodOscars

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IrishRestaurantAwards

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishrestawards/

Restaurants Association of Ireland, 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8.

Telephone: +353 1 6779901 Email: events@rai.ie