News Blog - Hotel and Catering Review

CATEX to return in 2019

Above: The CATEX launch. Photo: Colm Mahady/Fennells CATEX, Ireland's largest foodservice and hospitality event, is set to return to Dublin's RDS next February. The biennial trade show provides thousands of visitors with products, services and solutions aimed at meeting the demands faced by the hospitality and foodservice sectors, with Ireland's biggest players and membership organisations coming together under the one roof over three days. Created by [...]

Eddie Rocket’s scoops burger award

Above: Tobi Lukaschek, George Bertram and Michael Moneeram from Eddie Rocket’s accepting the award for Best Burger in a National Fast Food Chain as part of National Burger Day. It's official – Eddie Rocket's has one of the best burgers in Ireland. The restaurant chain took home the award for Best Burger in a National Fast Food Chain as part of National Burger Day last month. [...]

Freshii opens new N7 outlet

Photo: Vincenzo Pistritto Healthy eating restaurant chain Freshii is opening its fifth outlet today, located at Applegreen Motorway Service on the N7 at Rathcoole. The outlet joins those further down the M7 just outside Portlaoise, at Enfield Motorway Services on the M4 westbound, and two at the M1 at Lusk. "Freshii is delighted to make tasty, convenient and affordable nutritional food available to people on the [...]

Overtourism backlash captured in new documentary

Above: A still from the documentary. A new documentary claims that the issue of overtourism has reached a critical point. Crowded Out: The Story of Overtourism was produced by activist travel company Responsible Travel, and documents the experiences in popular holiday destinations (such as Venice and Barcelona) from the perspective of local people. The short but insightful documentary comes hot on the heels of a recent [...]

Lough Erne Resort named Wedding Venue of the Year

Above: Wynn Penton, Wedding Journal, Joanne Walsh, Rachel Holland & Michelle McGarrity, Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen. Photo: Phil Smyth The five-star Lough Erne Resort took home two gongs at this year’s Wedding Journal Reader Awards – Ireland’s Wedding Venue of the Year and Wedding Venue Co-Ordinators of the Year for their in-house wedding planning team (Laura Browne and Michelle McGarrity). These accolades come after a significant [...]

The Ivy Dawson Street opens reservations

Above: General Manager Jamie Belton and Head Chef Nick Lentini. Photo: Leon Farrell Reservations have been opened for The Ivy Dawson Street, following an announcement that Dublin's latest restaurant will open its doors on Tuesday July 24th. The first international brasserie from The Ivy Collection will be located at 13-17 Dawson Street in the landmark One Molesworth building, lead by General Manager Jamie Belton. The team [...]

Tourism Ireland focuses on Spanish growth

Pictured: An outdoor ad on the busy Gran Via in Madrid. Tourism Ireland has partnered with Iberia Express to grow Spanish tourism in the south of Ireland. Flights from Cork to Madrid are being promoted to tourists in a campaign highlighting Cork Airport as a key gateway to both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East. Millions of potential 'culturally curious' Spanish visitors are being [...]

Lord of the Manor

Above: Adare Manor. Photo: Jack Hardy Hotel & Catering Review checked in to a new-look Adare Manor to discover a prestigious property that comes with plenty of grá. When one of Ireland’s most luxurious resorts closes its doors for a 21-month period to undertake an extensive restoration programme, you know the results are bound to be special. That’s exactly what took place at Limerick’s Adare Manor [...]

Ballygarry says farewell to Cathal Nugent

Above: Cathal Nugent (second from left) with Ballygarry House colleagues. Tralee's Ballygarry House bid farewell to a long-serving member of staff this week as Cathal Nugent retired from his post as Deputy General Manager. Originally from Tyrone, Cathal moved to the Southwest in the 1970s to work in Innishannon in Cork, before taking up a position with The Brandon Hotel in Kerry for many years. Before [...]

The Dough Bros take student inspiration

Primary school students from Scoil Ide in Salthill, Galway, have prompted The Dough Bros to take a more sustainable approach to their pizza business. The students were looking at sustainable business practices and wrote to some of their favourite Galway eateries in an attempt to encourage them to use biodegradable napkins, cutlery, pizza boxes and brown bags. Included on that list was the well-known pizza joint, [...]

Aniar welcomes Christophe Dufau

Above: JP McMahon and Christophe Dufau. Galway's Michelin star Aniar Restaurant will welcome French chef Christophe Dufau into their kitchen on June 15th and 16th, as part of the Chef Swap at Aniar series. Dufau will run the kitchen alongside Aniar chef-patron JP McMahon over the two days, and a highly creative menu featuring items from the West of Ireland is expected. McMahon will take Defau [...]

Bushmills explores the world of photography with #BlackBushStories

Photo: Rob Durston Bushmills Irish Whiskey has announced the first in its series of #BlackBushStories events, aimed at showcasing and celebrating those who have gone against the grain to pursue a passion and rise to the top of their field. A mobile photography masterclass will be held at Dublin's Drury Buildings on Wednesday June 20th, hosted by street photographer Freddy Kelly. Kelly, who is also known [...]

The Ivy to open Dublin location

The Ivy Dawson Street - Artist's impression. World-famous London restaurant The Ivy is planning to cross the Irish Sea this summer, having recently announced it will open its first international brasserie in Dublin city centre. The latest addition to the capital's culinary landscape will be located at 13-17 Dawson Street and will be overseen by General Manager Jamie Belton and Head Chef Nick Lentini. The restaurant [...]

Redcastle Hotel scoops second Rosette

Donegal's Redcastle Hotel & Spa has been celebrating its second AA Rosette award for The Edge Restaurant, which came as part of the AA Hospitality award scheme's annual assessment. The scheme recognises cooking at different levels across Ireland and the UK, and is based on an on-site AA Hospitality inspection. Chefs are also highlighted for their consistent skills and expertise, alongside their care and attention to [...]

Knorr opens Carvery Competition

Head Chef Kevin Watson and General Manager David Morrison of the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen, the best hotel carvery in 2017, with Jim Reeves and Mark McCarthy, Unilever Food Solutions. Entries have opened for the annual Great Carvery Competition, supported by Knorr and now in its ninth year. To enter, you must complete an online entry form describing why your carvery is the best. Shortlisted nominees [...]

New hotel collection promises ‘unforgettable Irish experiences’

Pictured: A four poster deluxe room at Dingle Benners Hotel. Photo: Pawel Nowak Ireland's newest hotel group was launched in the opulent surroundings of the Hibernian Club, St Stephens Green on May 2nd. Original Irish Hotels is a new tourism and hospitality brand representing 60 independent, owner-run hotels across the country, and promises to champion individuality, diversity, and authenticity among its members. The brand – which is [...]

M&P O’Sullivan gears up for 2018 trade show

M&P O'Sullivan, one of Munster's longest-running foodservice wholesalers, has announced that preparations are underway for its trade show on Wednesday April 18th at Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The trade show will highlight the firm's range of products, particularly the most in-demand items currently on offer from their catalogue. Visitors on the day can meet suppliers, take a look at new and upcoming product launches, and avail [...]

PREM Group wins national HR award

PREM Group, one of Europe's leading hotel operators, has been recognised for its new online learning programme developed to help staff members recognise the signs of potential child sex trafficking. The programme, which won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the recent Irish HR Champions awards, was developed with MECPATHS, an Irish organisation that raises awareness within the hospitality sector of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. [...]

Inchydoney Lodge & Spa to hold recruitment open day

Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, just outside the town of Clonakilty, has announced it will hold a walk-in recruitment day this Friday March 30th. Running from 12 noon to 3pm, interested individuals are invited to bring their Cvs, meet the hotel's staff and take part in interviews on the day. The hotel currently employs more than 150 people and business growth over the past few years [...]

AVEA holds inaugural conference

Eight months after its establishment, the Association of Visitor Experiences & Attractions (AVEA) is holding its inaugural conference in Croke Park today. The aim of the conference is to bring together businesses within the sector to share knowledge and insights in a bid to boost future growth. The theme of the conference is 'Planning for Future Success' and features a number of speakers including Charles Coyle, [...]

2016 Winners

Ireland's City Hotel Sponsored By Kantar Media The Westbury, Dublin Ireland's Industrial Caterer Sponsored By Excel Recruitment Pavilion at UL, Limerick Ireland's Casual Dining Experience Sponsored By Keelings Farm Fresh Anocht, Kilkenny Ireland's Three Star Hotel Killeen House Hotel, Kerry Ireland's Wine Experience Sponsored By Febvre & Company Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork Ireland's Newcomer Restaurant Pickle Restaurant, Dublin Event Caterer Of The Year Sponsored By Keelings Farm [...]

2017 Sponsors

Proud Sponsors of Ireland's Best Hotel Website Category Digisoft specialise in immersive guest experiences for the hospitality and tourism industry. By using state-of-the-art virtual reality tours as well as mobile and beacon technology we have made it our business to transform how your guests perceive and interact with your business. Proud Sponsors of Ireland's Hotel Breakfast Category Bespoke Food Service solutions from Ireland’s Favourite Porridge brand Ireland’s favourite [...]

2016 Gallery & Video

To view photos of the 2016 Keelings Farm Fresh Gold Medal Awards, click through the gallery below. To view thumbnails, Click Here

Industry welcomes permit changes

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) are among those welcoming changes to Employment Permit Regulations that will help to ease the current staffing crisis. The changes, which Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys has signed off on, will make it easier for Irish hospitality businesses to source chefs from outside the European Union. Certain chef grades have been [...]

Prestigious chef to open IFEX 2018

IFEX 2018 – this year's largest food, hospitality and retail exhibition – will be opened by Michelin star award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. The trade-only event, which will run in Belfast's Titanic Exhibition Centre from March 20th–22nd, has been described as a melting pot for those working within the food, drink, retail and hospitality sectors. One of the main attractions is Salon Culinaire, Northern Ireland's prestigious chef [...]