On the Town: There wasn't Hell's Kitchen-style tantrum in sight as eight restaurant owners were cheered and congratulated by their peers at an award ceremony in Dublin this week.
"He's so handsome and talented. He creates wonderful food. They say he can turn an old sod of turf into something beautiful," said broadcaster Gerry Ryan, of Derry Clarke, chef and proprietor of L'Ecrivain in Dublin, when he was presented with the Bushmills Malt Irish Best Chef 2005.
"Outside the kitchen, he's Mr Nice Guy until he steps into his whites and into the kitchen," said Sallyanne Clarke, of her husband.
The best restaurant award was presented to Myrtle Allen, of The Yeats Room at Ballymaloe House in Co Cork.
"She's a perfectionist," said Hazel Allen, her daughter-in-law, as she looked across at the legendary chef who has developed Ballymaloe over the past 41 years.
A total of eight restaurateurs were presented with the Bushmills Malt Irish Restaurant Awards at the Mansion House, which is now in its seventh year.
Sean Cluskey and his son, John, of Doyle's Seafood Restaurant, won best fish restaurant, in association with BIM. Sam Chan and his nephew Kwanghi Chan, of Wing Tai House, Buncrana, Co Donegal, won the best ethnic restaurant award.
Trish Courtney, owner of the Mint Restaurant, Ranelagh, Dublin, was presented with the award for the most stylish restaurant, in association with Image magazine.
Roly's Bistro, Dublin, won the best value restaurant, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin, won the best service award and The Hungry Monk Restaruant, Greystones, Co Wicklow, won the best wine list award.