Waterford's culinary excellence recognised with six honours at this year's Irish Restaurant Awards

Waterford’s culinary reputation in the south east was reinforced through six major awards for county food entrepreneurs. Dungarvan chef and restaurateur Eunice Power was named All-Ireland Local Food Hero at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards for contributions to food culture, hospitality, and regional tourism. Paul and Máire Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant, Townhouse and Cookery School in Dungarvan received the Outstanding Achievement Award for longstanding hospitality and culinary excellence. Other winners from Waterford included Tramore’s Slow and Steady as Munster Innovator of the Year, Merrys Gastro Pub of Dungarvan as Munster Best Gastro Pub, J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer as Munster Pub of the Year, and Farmgate of Lismore as Munster and All Ireland Best Casual Dining. Excel Recruitment leadership presented the Flynn award.

"Dungarvan chef and restaurateur Eunice Power has been named the All-Ireland Local Food Hero at the 2026 Irish Restaurant Awards, in recognition of her wide-ranging contribution to Ireland's food culture, hospitality sector and regional tourism."

"The black-tie gala awards ceremony revealed six winners from Waterford, including Munster Innovator of the Year, Tramore's Slow and Steady, Munster Best Gastro Pub is Merrys Gastro Pub of Dungarvan, Munster Pub of the Year went to J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer situated in Great George's Street, Waterford city, while Munster and All Ireland Best Casual Dining went to Farmgate, of Lismore."

""This award recognised an extraordinary 30 years of dedication, passion, and contribution to Ireland's hospitality industry through their renowned restaurant, townhouse, and cookery school," said Mr McLave. "Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and hospitality has left a lasting impact on the industry and continues to inspire so many within it.""

"A chef, food writer, broadcaster and entrepreneur, Eunice Power is one of the country's most recognisable voices in Irish food. Alongside her role as CEO of Waterford Festival of Food, she is a regular contributor on RT&E's Today show, writes for national publications, recently released her cookbook My Irish Kitchen Table, runs award-winning Dungarvan fish and chip restaurant AndChips, and operates a successful catering"

Read at Irish Independent