The Irish Food Writers’ Guild announced the annual selection of the best of Irish producers and food heroes.

 

Ireland’s most celebrated restaurant had its busiest year in 2014 since opening 34 years ago leading to a profit jump of €88,000.

All of Ireland’s nine Michelin star restaurants have retained their status.

From food tourism — holidays that are all about the restaurants — to annual pilgrimages to high-end eateries, the way we eat out has been transformed.

The cash pile at one of the country’s best known restaurants, the Michelin- starred Chapter One, last year jumped more than 40% to almost €1m. 

Carol O’Callaghan has some great buying ideas for those who may be stuck for inspiration at this time of year.

Nine Irish restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars, among them two new recipients of the coveted accolade.

Fresh talent

The extent to which Michael “Fingers” Fingleton claimed expenses from his former employer to fund a lavish outlay on designer goods, exclusive hotels, and extravagant entertainment of developers was laid bare in court yesterday.

Catering service providers, the Kylemore Services Group (KSG), said that turnover at the company had increased by 29% for the year ended Mar 2012.

One of the country’s best-known restaurants, led by celebrity chef Derry Clarke and his wife Sallyanne, continues to trade profitably through the recession.

One of the country’s most exclusive restaurants, the Michelin-starred Thornton’s, owned by celebrity chef Kevin Thornton, dipped into the red last year.

Giles Clark at Cake Cafe

1. Ashford Castle, Co Mayo

The thing about Michelin stars is that it is difficult to hang onto them.

THE only bit of hot air you’ll find in Patrick Guilbaud’s kitchen comes from the extractor fans.

BROCKA on the Water certainly shreds the rule book.

ALTHOUGH a feature of Dublin life since 1852, the Clarence Hotel was taken over by Bono and The Edge of U2 in 1992.

WHAT Edina and Patsy of Absolutely Fabulous would make of today’s fashion world — from bloggers to Lady Gaga — remains anyone’s guess.

ONE of the country’s most exclusive restaurants, the Michelin-starred Thornton’s, owned and operated by celebrity chef Kevin Thornton, returned to profit last year.

HE may have a reputation for a mouth fouler than a month-old Stilton sandwich, but Gordon Ramsay was more fairy cake than hell’s fury on a flying visit to Ireland.

THE cream rose to the top for the biggest assembly of top chefs and restaurateurs.

HELICOPTER traffic is busier than usual around Waterville these days, with the rich and famous arriving for a unique golfing event.

Jim Morahan

IRELAND’S most exclusive restaurants said yesterday they would not follow a recent move down market by a German restaurant owner who caused a stir in the world of cooking.

THE country’s top young caterers offered a taste of the future in the finals of a national competition yesterday.

DUBLIN eatery L’Ecrivain has won numerous awards from food experts but received the ultimate accolade yesterday when it was voted Ireland’s best restaurant by diners.