The winners of the 2022 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards have been announced with a top accolade for Niall McKenna of James Street South group. He was awarded the Movers and Shakers Award.

In her citation, Georgina Campbell said “That Belfast chef and restaurateur Niall McKenna is a man on a mission is no secret. He has a culinary vision for Belfast that may well date back two decades, to when he and his wife
Joanne opened the acclaimed fine dining venue James Street South and the adjacent Bar & Grill – all now reimagined as James St.

“Their excellent Hadskis on Commercial Court closed this year but, far from being the negative move that might be expected in these daunting times, it was all part of the grand plan – to create a major hospitality hub in the city’s Cathedral Quarter. The whole Hadskis team moved over to open a new restaurant at Waterman House, a Grade B listed Bushmills bonded warehouse that is also home to the former James St Cookery School – and Waterman Restaurant soon became one of Belfast’s hottest dining destinations. So now the cookery school and the restaurant are in place, along with conference and event spaces. There’s plenty going on to appeal to different ages and interests, so the buzz is growing. It’s big city but one man’s vision is near to becoming reality, and it’s all the better for that.”

Celebrating 24 years in their current incarnation, the Georgina Campbell Awards recognise and honour Ireland’s standard-bearers in food and hospitality with particular focus, this year, on those who have maintained standards across the board in the face of post- pandemic energy and staffing crises, among many other challenges – and the brave newcomers who, against the odds, continue to delight with inspiring new businesses. Georgina Campbell’s Ireland’s rigorous programme of anonymous assessment visits is a year-round process and winners are nominated solely by an independent assessment team.

The new head of Lough Erne Resort’s award-winning culinary team has promised to continue and develop the legacy of highly respected Culinary Director, Noel McMeel who has formally announced his intention to step down after 15 years at the luxury Resort.

Executive Head Chef, Stephen Holland who has been an integral part of the exceptional culinary team at Lough Erne Resort for more than 12 years, says 2023 will herald an exciting new era as he formally takes up the reins. “We are so fortunate to have built an incredibly talented team of chefs at Lough Erne Resort over the last 12 years or so, under Noel’s leadership. We plan to harness that talent and continue our successful philosophy of sourcing, preparing, and serving fresh food in season as we embark into 2023.

Stephen Holland started his impressive culinary journey as ambitious 13-year-old who secured his first paid job as a porter in a local hotel in Dungannon. As he explains it was there, that he got taste for life as a chef. “I have very fond memories of my time there and the learning was second to none. In fact, I still use and practice many of the skills I learnt there today. Whilst studying at college I also worked at the luxurious Castle Leslie Estate under the leadership of Noel McMeel which is where I first met someone who has become a massive figure within the Irish food scene.”

Following his studies Stephen spent some time in an events’ company before setting off to travel the world where he cooked in some of the best establishments in USA, Australia, Dubai, and New Zealand. “These were crucial years for me as I was able to experience diverse cultures and benefit from learning under some of the most creative and talented chefs in the world. As I look back, this period really shaped my life and prepared me for my current role as Executive Head Chef in one of Ireland’s top food destinations. To this day I find my travels provide great inspiration for my dishes.”

During his 12-plus years at Lough Erne Resort Stephen has cooked for world leaders including US President, Barak Obama and British Prime Minister, David Cameron – but he counts meeting his wife, Rachael – a colleague at the Resort – as amongst his greatest achievements. Meanwhile, Noel McMeel, who advised senior executives at the Resort some time ago that he wished to explore other professional opportunities and begin a new chapter in his life, says he has no doubt the Resort’s treasured culinary offering is in safe hands.

Congratulations to Taste of Ulster member, Killeavy Castle Estate in Armagh on the awarding of not one, but TWO AA Rosettes for its restaurant.

Following a secret inspection, the venue has just been named an AA four-star hotel in recognition of the quality of the food and drink offering. The awards are for Culinary Excellence. These awards are the most recent in a string of plaudits including being named Hotel of the Year at the Licensed and Catering News Awards and Best Food and Drink Experience (Large) at the NI Embrace a Giant Spirit Awards. The owner of the Estate, Mick Boyle also received a Local Spirit Awards in recognition of the contribution he has made to tourism and the community in recent years.

Killeavy Castle Estate opened after a major refurbishment in 2018. The Head Chef is Darragh Dooley.

Dinner with Felicity Cloake, food writer and author

Created, prepared and presented by the Culinary Arts Management & International Hospitality Management students

Felicity Cloake is the award-winning author of the Guardian’s long-running How to Make the Perfect recipe column as well as five cookbooks, including the Andre Simon shortlisted The A-Z of Eating, and two on food and travel.

Her French culinary adventure on two wheels, One More Croissant for the Road, was a Sunday Times bestseller, a Radio Four Book of the Week and shortlisted for the Fortnum and Mason food book of the year award, and her latest, Red Sauce Brown Sauce: A British Breakfast Odyssey was published in June.

The event is set to take place on 29th November, 7:00PM, at the Academy Restaurant and will include the following set menu:

• Devilled eggs

• Langoustine and prawn cocktail, buttermilk wheaten bread
  Or
  Leek and potato soup

• Coq au Riesling, braised red cabbage, fondant potatoes
  Or
  Nut roast, braised red cabbage, fondant potatoes

• Treacle tart, custard, cream

• Tea or coffee
  Macarons, chocolates

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.academyrestaurant.co.uk/events/felicity-cloake-culinary-salon2

Chinese New Year Celebration with Chef Suzie Lee | 21st January 1.30pm | £75pp

Join Waterman House for a Chinese New Year celebration with chef Suzie Lee. During a cookery demonstration, Suzie will showcase exciting dishes from her latest book “Simply Chinese”.

Lunch will include tasting plates of…Chicken (or tofu) and sweetcorn soup – Beef and black pepper with basmati rice – Mango pudding

About Suzie Lee
Suzie Lee is a Northern Irish television chef and food writer who appears regularly on This Morning, BBC and RTE. Suzie Lee also loves to share her passion for food with her followers through her blog and social media channels. Cooking since she was a child, Suzie Lee helped out in her family’s Chinese takeaway. Now a seasoned chef is also a proud author of her new cook book ‘Simply Chinese’.

About Waterman House
Belfast’s newest cookery school and event space from chef Niall McKenna and his team. Waterman House is set in the heart of Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter and is the perfect location for your next corporate event, celebration, or private party.

As well as a unique private hire venue we also have a cookery school, which is a great place to come and participate in one of the interactive cookery classes which range from the day-to-day cooking of one-pot wonders to firm favourites of Curry from around the world to fun classes such as Sushi and Cocktails. 

Snap up a ticket now to avoid disappointment! https://www.waterman.house/

OX, Belfast Took home two top awards at the Food and Wine Awards in Dublin on Sunday 6th November, 2022. The ceremony took place at the Mansion House to celebrate the talent, determination and resilience of the Irish food and drinks sector.

The Taste of Ulster member restaurant whose Head Chef is Stephen Toman won Best Restaurant and Best Wine Experience Ulster. The sommelier is Alain Kerloc’h. Both are friends who opened OX in March 2013. The menus are based around the best seasonal local produce with vegetables and fruit being paid careful attention.

Stephen believes everyone should be able to enjoy fantastic food and wine, something a little different, in a relaxed environment. Alain says the focus is on bringing a top quality and affordable product you will want to try again and again.

http://www.oxbelfast.com