The Menu: You'll be the winner if you check out these award-winning foods

— and try this apple and pear juice cocktail that can be served ice-cold or as a hot toddy

Sally Barnes, of Woodcock Smokery, winner of the Irish Food Writer’s Guild Lifetime Achievement Award

Food Award winners

Even though the country is once more opening up, the Great Release arrived too late to permit an in-person gathering of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild for a lovely luncheon and ceremony to recognise the recipients of its annual IFWG Food Awards. This is one of the most prestigious of all food awards on this island as winners are selected anonymously by Guild members and only informed after they have won. Over the years, the honours roll has grown to represent one of the most comprehensive and august of all gatherings of all who make Irish food so special.