Seven top culinary accolades have gone to Northern Irish establishments this week, as the winners of the Georgina Campbell Food & Hospitality Awards 2024 were announced.
The awards celebrate all of Ireland’s gold standard champions of the food and hospitality industries.
NI eateries included in the top spots range from Belfast, Ballycastle, Down, Derry and Portrush.
Competing against hundreds of establishments throughout Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, awards went to the Ox in Belfast, No 14 Georgian House, Comber, Elephant Rock, Portrush, Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Ballycastle, Dart Mountain Cheese, Claudy, Pyke’n’Pommes and Stitch & Weave, Londonderry.
The categories and their local winners are as follows:
•Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2024: OX, Belfast.
•Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year 2024: No 14 Georgian House, Comber, Co Down,
•Boutique Hotel of the Year 2024: Elephant Rock, Portrush
•Best Bakery-Café 2024: Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Ballycastle, Co Antrim
•Best Street Food for 2024: Pyke’n’Pommes, Derry, Co Londonderry
•Natural Food Award: Dart Mountain Cheese, Claudy, Derry, Co Londonderry
•Historic Destination of the Year 2024: Stitch & Weave, Derry, Co Londonderry
Read more
The selections were made as part of the island of Ireland’s longest running food and hospitality awards, and victors were picked as a result of independent all-year assessments by a team of anonymous experts.
Brothers David and Shaun McElhone, who just opened Stitch & Weave in spring of this year, said they were “delighted” to receive the Historic Destination award.
“We would like to thank all our valued customers since opening in March of this year,” they added.
Located on the edge of the iconic Ebrington Square, it also resides in the former catering centre of the old Ebrington military barracks, and its decor pays homage to the Maiden City’s shirt-making and linen-weaving past.
Charlotte Dixon, the proprietor of Elephant Rock Hotel in Portrush, said her team “are absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured to have been named Boutique Hotel of the Year at the Georgina Campbell Awards”.
“This recognition means the world to us, as it celebrates our team’s dedication to providing exceptional service, unique experiences, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere to all our guests.” she told The Belfast Telegraph.
“We are incredibly proud of our stunning location, attention to detail, and the personalised touches that make Elephant Rock Hotel truly special. This award inspires us to continue raising the bar, delivering memorable stays for everyone who walks through our doors.
“Thank you to our amazing team, our loyal guests, and the Georgina Campbell Awards for this incredible honour!”