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Gregans – third best in the country


A NORTH Clare establishment has beaten some of Ireland’s best-known restaurants for a top-three position in one of the country’s most prestigious culinary awards ceremonies at the weekend.
Gregans Castle in Ballyvaughan came third overall in the Food and Wine Magazine/Penfolds Restaurant of The Year Awards 2010. The hotel was beaten by renowned Dublin eateries Chapter One and l’Ecrivain.
The hotel’s head chef Mickael Viljanen was named the fourth best chef in the country sharing the position with TV’s Neven Maguire. He was also named best chef in Munster. Taking the Munster award Mickael beat off competition from Martijn Kajuiter at the Michelin-starred Cliff House in Ardmore, Waterford and Paul Flynn from previous best-restaurant winner The Tannery in Dungarven.
Both establishments were highly commended and commended respectively within the Penfolds Best Munster Restaurant category which was won by Gregans.
While the awards are most prestigious, Gregans owner, Simon Haden, is honoured but not overwhelmed to feature so prominently especially given the establishment’s success last year in the Hotel and Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Fine Dining.
“Our chef, Mickael, has been with us for three years and we have been building up a profile through word of mouth out there has been very live for Mickael, for the past year and a half certainly. There was a lot of talk about us last year too. It has been a gradual thing I think but we have been building up our reputation and profile and there are a lot of people who wouldn’t be surprised by us winning these awards,” Simon commented.
“You are up against stiff competition. Munster has really good restaurants now so it is amazing to be in the company of so many really well-known places,” he added.
For Gregans and other establishments, the added profile these awards bring is helpful but more important is the added custom.
“Obviously these awards bring extra business and that is very welcome and you need to keep your profile up all the time. As far as awards go, the Food and Wine ones would be among the most important in the country. The magazine itself is the food and wine bible in Ireland so it is great to get the acknowledgement. Mickael would say himself that a lot of credit must go to hard-working, dedicated team here. They are really amazing,” he continued.
The overall national Penfolds Best Restaurant Award went to Chapter One, Dublin as its resident chef, Ross Lewis received the national best chef award.
Gregans Castle also picked up a commendation in the Best Style award as well as a commendation in the national Restaurant of the Year award, with competitors from throughout Ireland being considered for this accolade.
Elsewhere in Munster, Kerry’s Park Hotel, Kenmare was awarded the overall winner of the best service category, beating off stiff competition from some of Ireland’s top restaurants throughout the country.
Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites was named best restaurant in Connacht at the awards.
Nominations opened in March and came from readers of Food and Wine across the country before judges whittle it down to a winner and top 10 in each category.

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