The fourth annual Irish Food Writing Awards were held tonight (Thursday 7th November) at the RDS in Dublin 4, with a later reception hosted by The Merrion Hotel in their Cellar Bar. Year on year an increasing number of submissions are received, and new categories are added to reflect the evolving media landscape. For 2024, there is now a ‘Food History and Heritage Award’, which was judged by Dr Neil Buttery, an award winning author, blogger, podcaster & cook of British food from the past!
Over 100 award finalists and guests attended from throughout the island of Ireland, competing for the 21 awards on offer covering Irish food and drink journalism, cookbooks, feature writing, blogging, podcasting, photography and Instagram/TikTok.
The awards were attended by some of their international judges including ITV Drinks Journalist Andy Clarke, Tom Hunt – Eco-chef, Writer and BBC Saturday Kitchen Regular, and Hello Magazine’s Charlotte Pike, former Chair of the UK Guild of Food Writers. Other judges included Xanthe Clay, Fiona Beckett, Colman Andrews and Tim Hayward.
Irish Food Writing Awards founder, journalist Suzanne Campbell, said “Yet again, we have been delighted and gratified by the number of entries we have received. It always an honour and a pleasure to work with our international judges and Irish food and drink sponsor companies. We could not do this without their support. When Paul O’Connor and I were inspired to set up the awards, having seen how vital food writing was during Covid, and the hard work of the food and drink community continues to educate, entertain and encourage the very best in hospitality and food production.”
2024 winners of the Irish Food Writing Awards:
Irish Food or Drink Podcast
Judged by Nigel Barden, sponsored by Sharon Noonan
Winner: “Dishing it Out” from Gary O’Hanlon and Gareth Mullins
Writing on Irish Food Producers,
Judged by Robb Walsh, sponsored by Certified Irish Angus
Winner: Kitty Corrigan for her essays in “The Irish Bakery”
Writing on Seafood Award
Judged by Robb Walsh, sponsored by Glenmar Shellfish
Winner: Caroline Hennessy
Emerging Voice in Irish Food Writing
Judged by Charlotte Pike, sponsored by Clayton Hotels
Winner: Jennie Moran for “How to Soften Corners”
Food Photography (professional category)
Judged by Cris Barnett, sponsored by Odaois Foods
Winner: Ruth Calder-Potts
Food Photography (amateur category)
Judged by Cris Barnett, sponsored by Odaois Foods
Winner: Jasmine Hughes
Irish Food Blog Award,
Judged by Charlotte Pike, sponsored by Pestle+Mortar sauces
Winner: “Gorse” from Ciara Ohartghaile
Irish Food Magazine/Supplement
Judged by Xanthe Clay, sponsored by Invest NI
Winner: Irish Times Food
Writing on Sustainability in Irish Food Award
Judged by Catherine Mack and Tom Hunt, sponsored by &Smyth Creative Communications
Winner: Aoife Carrigy
Cookbook of The Year
Judged by Colman Andrews, sponsored by Gather & Gather
Winner: “The Irish Bakery” by Cherie Denham, photography by Andrew Montgomery and essays by Kitty Corrigan
Beer Writing Award
Judged by Richard Croasdale, sponsored by Rascals Brewing
Winner: Shamin deBrun
Wine Writing Award
Judged by Oz Clarke, sponsored by Whelehans Wines
Winner: Mick O’Connell, Food and Wine Magazine
Spirits Writing Award
Judged by Fiona Beckett, sponsored by Powerscourt Distillery
Winner: Oisin Davis
Culinary Student Award
Judged by Jess Murphy and Gareth Mullins, sponsored by Kerrygold
Winner: Lance Lumanium, ATU Donegal
Food History and Heritage Award
Judged by Dr Neil Buttery, sponsored by Ballymaloe Foods
Winner: Kitty Corrigan
Food Writing Award
Judged by Deborah Reid, sponsored by Bord Bia
Winner: Janine Kennedy
Writing on International Cuisines
Judged by Romy Gill, sponsored by Safco Fine Foods
Winner: Victory Nwabu-Ekeoma for “Bia Zine”
Restaurant Critic Award
Judged by Tim Hayward, sponsored by Ballygowan
Winner: Corinna Hardgrave
Investigative Writing Award
Judged by Dan Saladino, sponsored by Drummond House Garlic
Winner: Tommy Greene from The Journal Investigates
Cookery Writing Award
Judged by Ed Smith
Winner: Lilly Higgins, Irish Times
Irish Food on Instagram/Tiktok Award.
Judged by Andy Clarke, sponsored by Coole Swan
Winner: Sebastian Skillings “The Hungry Fishmonger”
Outstanding Achievement in Food Writing Award
Sponsored by James Whelan Butchers
Winner: Marie Claire Digby
The awards, established in 2021 by Suzanne Campbell with Paul O’Connor, are kindly sponsored by Sharon Noonan, Certified Irish Angus, Glenmar Shellfish, Clayton Hotels, Odaois Foods, Pestle + Mortar, Invest NI, &Smyth Creative Communications, Gather+Gather, Rascals Brewing, Whelehan’s Wines, Powerscourt Distillery, Kerrygold, Ballymaloe Foods, Bord Bia, Safco Fine Foods, Ballygowan, Drummond House Garlic, Coole Swan and James Whelan Butchers.
The Irish Food Writing Awards were established to recognise and celebrate the high quality of food and drink writing from throughout the island of Ireland, across print, broadcast and online. In all categories, entries were accepted from the nominees themselves, or by a third party and were open to writers, journalists, bloggers and photographers.
Website http://www.irishfoodwritingawards.ie
Twitter @Irish_Writing #IFWA24
Insta @IrishFoodWritingAwards
