DINERS NEED to “think twice” before pressing for greater bargains from restaurants or more establishments will go out of business, food guide publisher Georgina Campbell has warned.
In the toughest year for the Irish hospitality sector, Ms Campbell said consumers should not be unreasonable in the price pressure they apply when choosing restaurants and hotels.
“Many fine establishments have cut costs to the bone and their businesses are now literally hanging by a thread,” she said. “Prices have often been reduced to an unsustainable level and yet there is constant pressure from the public to make even further cuts.”
She said a lack of Government action meant that fixed costs remained too high for many businesses and could not be negotiated. “Therefore, if for no other reason than enlightened self-interest, we will no longer be able to enjoy our favourite places if they go out of business – consumers need to think twice before pressing for even better bargains.”
She was speaking at the announcement of the 2010 Georgina Campbell Awards, which for the first time is not being accompanied by the launch of the food writer’s guide. This was published annually since 1998, but has now switched to biennial publication.
Ms Campbell said this year’s award winners showed “a determination to keep standards up, while prices fall”.
“There is cause for concern in that standards in Irish hospitality generally are visibly slipping, but our award winners are made of stern stuff.”
Virtually all the main awards this year went to establishments outside Dublin. Campagne in Kilkenny, described as a “bling-free zone”, won restaurant of the year for its “exceptional dining experience: No fancy big plates, no extravagant flowers, nothing at all showy – just exceptional attention to detail, well-judged flavour combinations and perfect, French-inspired modern cooking.”
The hotel of the year award went to the Brooklodge Wells Spa, Macreddin, Co Wicklow, while Eamonn O’Reilly of One Pico restaurant in Dublin was judged best chef.
The Ballymore Inn in Ballymore Eustace, Co Wicklow, was named pub of the year and Gregans Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, was named country house of the year.
Three new awards were added this year: the outstanding contribution award went to Nick’s Warehouse in Belfast; the green Ireland hospitality award went to the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon; and the casual dining award went to the Sheelin Tea Shop in Bellinaleck, Co Fermanagh.
Sponsors of the awards included Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Fáilte Ireland, Blue Dragon/Patak’s and Waterways Ireland.
AWARD WINNERS BEST IN SHOW: GEORGINA CAMPBELL'S IRELAND AWARDS
Outstanding contribution awardNick's Warehouse, Belfast
Hotel of the yearBrooklodge & Wells Spa, Macreddin, Co Wicklow
RestaurantCampagne, Kilkenny
ChefEamonn O'Reilly, One Pico, Dublin
PubThe Ballymore Inn, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare
"Just Ask" restaurant of the year(sponsored by Bord Bia) Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, Co Donegal
Seafood Circle restaurant(sponsored by Bord Iascaigh Mhara) Aherne's Seafood Restaurant, Youghal, Co Cork
Seafood Circle bar(sponsored by Bord Iascaigh Mhara) Kealys Seafood Bar, Greencastle, Co Donegal
The "Irish Experience" B&B(sponsored by Fáilte Ireland) Glasha Farmhouse, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford
National Breakfast Awards:
National winner:Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co Kerry
B&B breakfast:Beech Hill House, Holywood, Co Down
Country house breakfast:Gregans Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare
Hotel breakfast:Park Hotel, Kenmare
Natural food awardGood Things Café, Durrus, Co Cork
Casual diningThe Sheelin Tea Shop, Bellanaleck, Co Fermanagh
Taste of the waterways(sponsored by Waterways Ireland) Café Merlot at Blakes of the Hollow, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
Host of the yearKay McEvilly, Cashel House Hotel, Connemara, Co Galway
Business hotelFitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin
Wine awardBallymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co Cork
Ethnic restaurant(sponsored by Blue Dragon & Patak's) Kajjal, Malahide, Co Dublin
Atmospheric restaurantSha Roe Bistro, Clonegal, Co Carlow
Green Ireland hospitalityBush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
Family-friendly hotelQuality Hotel, Clonakilty, Co Cork
HideawayThe Old Convent, Clogheen, Co Tipperary
FarmhouseKilliane Castle, Drinagh, Co Wexford
NewcomerAn Port Mór, Westport, Co Mayo
