The awards celebrate producers, chefs, hotels, restaurants, and more with winners being announced at a gala dinner on Monday, November 11 at The K Club, County Kildare.
The awards take into account the consumer experience of local, fresh, and seasonal Irish ingredients, with a focus on businesses that prioritise sourcing from local producers.
The event also aims to support Irish farmers, food producers, and fishermen while strengthening local economies and communities.
This year’s judging panel, includes notable figures like Good Food Ireland founder Margaret Jeffares, journalist John Wilson, and hospitality consultant Tom O’Connell.
The judges have evaluated the shortlisted businesses through onsite inspections, with mystery inspections set to determine the final winners.
Cork’s shortlisted businesses span 12 categories. 5 Star Hotel of the Year, Hayfield Manor; Culinary Haven of the Year, Ballymaloe House Hotel; Restaurant of the Year, Fishy Fishy / The Church Restaurant; Café of the Year, On the Pigs Back Cafe & Deli Douglas / Kalbo’s; Pub of the Year, The Lifeboat Inn.
Shop of the Year, Urru Culinary Store; Food Tourism Experience Award, Ballymaloe Cookery School; Organic Farm & Gardens Meat Producer of the Year,Tom Durcan Meats; Dairy Producer of the Year, Milleens Cheese; Fish & Seafood Producer of the Year, Ummera Smoked Products / K O’ Connell English Market; Bakery & Chocolate Producer of the Year, Praline Pastry & Chocolate Shop / Koko Kinsale; Drinks Producer of the Year, Rebel City Distillery / Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur.
For the first time, the public is also invited to participate by voting in the Food Lovers Choice Award, with voting open until October 20.
Margaret Jeffares, Founder and Managing Director of Good Food Ireland says: “It is important that those businesses communicate this shared philosophy to inform customers and attract new visitors seeking an authentic, cultural Irish food or drink experience.
“All of those businesses who have made it onto 2024’s shortlist are a genuine inspiration. Proud and passionate ambassadors of Ireland who strive to capture the very essence of the authenticity and provenance that makes our food and drink so uniquely ours.”
For more details on the finalists and event information, visit goodfoodireland.ie.