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YesChef Awards 2018 highlights stars of the future

Chef of the Year 2018, Michael Tweedie, Adare Manor, Co Limerick

Chef of the Year 2018, Michael Tweedie, Adare Manor, Co Limerick.

 

YesChef Awards 2018 highlights stars of the future

  • YesChef Awards 2018 highlights stars of the future
  • Chef of the Year 2018, Michael Tweedie, Adare Manor, Co Limerick
  • Young Chef of the Year, Max Buller, Molly’s Mill, Banbridge, Co Down
  • Restaurant of the Year, The Oak Room, Adare Manor, Co Limerick

Now in its sixth year, the YesChef awards was held in Radisson Blu, Sligo on the 9th of October. With 500 guests representing chefs and hospitality professionals from across the island, the evening was a celebration of the craft that is Irish Food.

Shane Smith, Managing director of YesChef Magazine said “The programme has gone from strength to strength and will continue to grow. The concept is simple, to showcase the talent within the culinary world across the island. It’s never been about the few Michelin starred restaurants, it’s always been about the majority of chefs who work the pots and pans, sourcing the finest ingredients and making the best of them, to please their diners.”

As ever the highlight of the evening was the menu - devised and delivered by students from colleges across Ireland. The winner of Young Chef of the Year from last year also returned to deliver a course. “The talent, creativity and sheer hard work that these young people – the stars of the future – put into the development and delivery of our menu never fails to astound me.” said Shane.

Thanks go to;

  • The students of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology with Chef Mentor Martin Ruffley 
  • The students of Letterkenny Institute of Technology and Chef Mentor Tim Dewhirst 
  • The students of Coláiste ĺde, Finglas with Chef Mentor Derek Flynn

Chef Jack Duffy, who headed up the kitchen and co-ordinated this massive undertaking and of course Joe Shannon and his team in the Radisson Blu, Sligo.

“We were also privileged to work with some of the finest producers on the island – Bluebell Falls, The Burren Smokehouse, Traditional Cheese Company, Causeway Prime, Crossogue Preserves and Lindt Chocolate.”

This year there were 80 awards recognising and honouring chefs, hoteliers, restaurateurs and front of house teams. Shane Smith, YesChef Director, said “A recurring theme in this year’s awards has been the collaboration between Front of House and the Kitchen and how this delicately balanced partnership is vital to the success of every venue.

Our researchers consistently fed back on how service was an equally important element of their dining experience and genuinely impacted on the quality of their visit.

For an industry facing huge challenges in recruiting both chefs and professional front of house teams, what we have seen here tonight is a welcome celebration of the successful coming together of two professions.

The YesChef Awards is sponsored by Flogas, Lynas, Bunzl McLaughlin, CLASSICdrinks, Ready Chef, Taste of Gourmet, The Panel of Chefs of Ireland and Johnsons Coffee. Their support is invaluable to the growth and development of the programme.
Further information can be found here