Head Chef Marcin Szczodrowski and his team are proud to be nominated in six categories in the upcoming Irish Restaurant Awards, known informally as the Food Oscars. The team are no strangers to awards and nominations, and have high hopes of winning more. The categories are:
- Best Chef – Marcin Szczodrowski
- Best Restaurant
- Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant
- Best Casual Dining
- Best Customer Service
- Best Gastro Pub
“We are really pleased with six nominations in these prestigious awards”, said Jennifer Howley, General Manager, “I am so proud of Chef Marcin and his team. They really deserve this recognition.”
Nominations began with a public vote back in January and from those shortlisted, an expert panel of judges decides on the winners. Each year they receive over 160,000 public nominations and incorporate more than 6,000 hospitality businesses from across the country. The judging panel is made up of food critics, bloggers, academics, people in the food and hospitality industry and more. The regional awards ceremonies take place in each of the four provinces. The Connaught Awards are on 31st March in Knockranny Hotel, Westport and the All Ireland Finals will be awarded on 18th May in Dublin at a gala black tie event. A mystery guest inspection is part of the dining categories at the national stage putting the pressure on all involved.
The Ocean Sands most recently hit the headlines when they won Hotel Venue of the Year for Connaught at the WeddingsOnLine Awards.