This week I had the opportunity to present the 2015 Good Eating Guide Awards in Dublin to the top chefs and restaurant owners across the country.

During my speech I discussed the importance of the Irish experience, which is especially crucial in the upcoming tourism season. The retention of the 9% vat rate has helped the hospitality and food industry, which employs over 138,000 people.

Among the winners I announced were Derry Clarke of L’Écrivain who picked up a specially commissioned Tipperary Crystal vase for best overall chef; Restaurant 41 @ The Residence which was named best restaurant; Matt the Thresher, Lower Pembroke Street, which was named best gastro pub; Roly’s Bistro, named best value restaurant; Fire at the Mansion House, best restaurant in Leinster; and Oliver St John Gogarty, best tourist restaurant.

The Good Eating Guide, in its 25^th edition, is itself a barometer of sentiment in the restaurant and hospitality industries. This year it features 200 eateries around Ireland, a 10% increase on last year, reflecting the optimistic mood.

The Good Eating Guide has an online version which replicates the printed version www.goodeatingguide.ie