Kilkenny hospitality shines at the Irish Restaurant Awards

A number of Kilkenny restaurants are celebrating provincial success after scooping awards at the 'Irish Restaurant Awards Leinster Regional Final' at the Lyrath Estate Hotel on Wednesday evening.

Over 1,000 people attended the celebration of food and hospitality in the Kilkenny hotel on the night.

In total, this year's awards, now in its 15th year, received over 160,000 public nominations for restaurants, cafés and other food services establishments across the country with nominations made by the public via The Irish Times website.

Once all regional events have been completed and County Winners announced, Regional and All-Ireland Winners will be revealed at the All-Ireland Awards Gala Dinner at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin 4 in May.

Kilkenny Winners:

- Best Restaurant: Campagne

- Local Food Hero: Mark & Helen Murphy, Mooncoin Beetroot

- Innovator of the Year: Nóinín

- Best Sustainable Practises: Butcher Restaurant

- Best World Cuisine: Aroi - Asian Fusion Restaurant

- Best Café: Fennellys of Callan

- Best Customer Service: Zuni Restaurant and Zuni Boutique Hotel

- Best Wine Experience: Ristorante Rinuccini

- Best Newcomer: Tābú

- Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Statham's by Pembroke

- Best Gastropub: Marble City Bar

- Best Casual Dining: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro

- Pub of the Year: Lenehan's Public House

- Employee Excellence Award: Lorraine Doran, The Lime Tree Cafe & Restaurant

- Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate

- Best Restaurant Manager: Trpa Kraljevic, Rive Gauche

- Best Chef: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate