It will come as no surprise to anyone who has eaten in Shanks and been served by Shirley Millar to learn that she shared joint first prize in the recent Harpers and Queen Premier Crew Contest.
The Harpers awards, unusually, focus on the restaurant operation and its service, rather than simply the work of the chef. Because of Millar's work, Shanks was the only Irish restaurant to get to the finals.
There it shared joint first prize with the Charles Napier restaurant, seeing off such hot competition as Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons and every other UK hotshot.
Ever since Shanks opened its doors, Shirley Millar's work has been every bit as distinguished as the extraordinary cooking of her husband, Robbie Millar. Together, they have created one of Ireland's great restaurants, a place where food and service are choreographed together to perfection. A distinguished award, richly deserved.
Shanks, Blackwood Centre, Bangor, Co Down. Tel: 0801 247-853313