Donegal experiences big success at prestigious Yes Chef Awards

Donegal had great success at the Yes Chef Awards, receiving an array of awards and three All-Ireland titles at the ceremony. 

This is the tenth year of the Yes Chef awards and the event was held at The Fairway Hotel in Dundalk, Co Louth. 

At the event, which over 500 people attended, Chandpur, situated in Donegal Town, took home an all-Ireland award-winning ‘Indian Restaurant of the Year’ category.  Chandpur also won ‘Vegetarian Menu of the Year’ for Ulster.

“This is our seventh All Ireland Award and we are so very proud,” Chandpur shared. “Thank you to everyone who voted for us and truly delighted to impress our secret judges.”

Castlegrove Country House, a Georgian Style Hotel in Letterkenny, won overall in the ‘Country House Restaurant of the Year’ category.

“We would like to sincerely thank YesChef Ireland for this fantastic recognition for our team and their continuous dedication,” Castlegrove Country House said.  “We are so proud of each one of them for achieving this great honour.”

The Shandon Hotel and Spa located in Dunfanaghy, was also recognised as an overall winner in the ‘Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year’ category for Marbles Restaurant. 

Collette Parry and David Greer from Marbles Restaurant were also highly commended as ‘Pastry Chef of the Year’. 

Biddy O’Barnes, located on the Barnesmore Gap, was recognised as ‘Ulster Gastropub of the Year’ and Katie McCloskey was awarded ‘Ulster Young Chef of the Year’. 

“What a night at the YesChef Awards, Biddy O’Barnes shared. “To our incredible team of chefs led by Chris and Colin, to every member of our hardworking staff, and our customers, your support and loyalty means the world.

“Our hearts are overflowing with pride for our incredible Katie. Winning the Young Chef Ulster Award is a huge accomplishment, and it’s a testament to your relentless passion for food.”

Letterkenny’s Clanree Hotel won the Ulster category for ‘Front of House Team of the Year’ for McGettigan's restaurant. “We are so delighted to receive this award to say we are thrilled and so thankful is an understatement,” The Clanree Hotel shared. "Thank you always to our loyal customers and all of our dedicated team.”

Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf and Spa Hotel scooped two Ulster awards, winning the ‘Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Hotel Restaurant of the Year’ at The Edge. 

The Strand Road Bar and Kitchen in Falcarragh also took two ‘Highly Commended’ awards, for ‘Gastropub of the Year’ and ‘Vegetarian Menu of the Year’.

The Old Stone in Donegal Town also received accolades on the night, winning ‘Café of the Year’ for Ulster. 

The Yes Chef Awards recognises excellence in the catering and hospitality industry, each restaurant is inspected by culinary experts and each dish is sampled by chefs.