Restaurant of the Year winner Thornton defends food price rise

AN award-winning restaurateur yesterday defended rising prices in the food sector which threaten to scare off tourists.

Top chef Kevin Thornton said rising menu prices matched hefty increases in running an Irish food business.

“Insurance is sky high along with rapidly increasing manpower and raw material costs,” he said. “Food in restaurants is quite expensive, I accept that, but prices reflect the costs of maintaining top quality and service.”